Ron Alexander
Officiating
Class of 2024
For 35 years, Ron Alexander’s life revolved around making the right calls. As an athlete-turned-official, his unwavering dedication to officiating basketball and softball has taken him to extraordinary heights, from umpiring the Women’s College World Series to a leadership role in the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
Raised outside Louisville, Kentucky, Alexander’s athletic journey began on the football and baseball fields of his high school. Following graduation, he joined the Army, where his passion for men’s fastpitch softball blossomed. Stationed in Germany in 1986, a fiery argument with an umpire over a call during a game set Alexander on an unexpected path. "After the game, the umpire handed me his card and invited me to a meeting," Alexander recalls. "Three months later, I found that card, went to the meeting, and realized I’d argued with everyone there at some point. The rest is history."
Returning stateside after his military retirement, Alexander balanced a career with Pepsi and a growing reputation as an umpire. His precise judgment and calm demeanor earned him assignments in major tournaments, including the prestigious Blue-Gray Fastpitch Tournament in Montgomery. This exposure led to his entry into collegiate umpiring in 1997 when he began officiating SEC games.
“Then-commissioner Roy Kramer told me, ‘Stick with us. We’re going to be the class of the NCAA,’” Alexander says. Decades later, that vision has come true, with Alexander playing a significant role in elevating SEC officiating standards.
Officiating is often a thankless role, but Alexander thrived by adhering to a simple philosophy: stay calm, manage the game, avoid unnecessary attention, and—most importantly—get the call right. His ability to remain composed under pressure, a skill honed during his Army days, served him well through countless games.
Highlights of his illustrious career include officiating high school basketball state championships and calling pivotal games in softball, such as the 2021 Women’s College World Series opener. “Watching James Madison’s Odicci Alexander upset top-seeded Oklahoma in a thrilling eight-inning game was the most exciting moment of my career,” he says.
Now retired from the field, Alexander works in the SEC replay booth, ensuring accuracy in critical game decisions. Honored by his recent Hall of Fame induction, he credits his wife, Vera, for her unwavering support. Reflecting on his journey, he says, “None of this would have been possible without her. The Hall of Fame made the right call.”
Alexander’s legacy is a testament to commitment, excellence, and love for the game—a life spent making the right calls, on and off the field.
