The Sun Belt Conference announced today that it has entered into a partnership with the American Athletic Conference, Atlantic Sun Conference, and Southeastern Conference for its men's basketball officiating program.

Mark Whitehead, a 32-year veteran of college basketball officiating and a five-time NCAA Final Four official, will take the managing role for the consortium.

"Participation in this consortium will provide Sun Belt Conference men's basketball with a foundation and structure that will improve the overall quality of its officiating," said Sun Belt Commissioner Karl Benson. "Under the leadership of Mark Whitehead, I strongly believe this will benefit our coaches and student-athletes and the sport of men's basketball in the Sun Belt."