NEW ORLEANS - The Sun Belt Conference announced today that it has joined a baseball umpiring consortium with the Southeastern Conference and Atlantic Sun Conference.  The consortium will see Paul Guillie assume the role of Coordinator of Baseball Umpires for the Sun Belt effective immediately.
 
“Baseball is a premier sport in the Sun Belt and this partnership with the SEC and the Atlantic Sun will ensure that our umpire program will meet the high standards set by our coaches, student-athletes and fans for years to come,” said Sun Belt Conference Commissioner Karl Benson.
 
Guillie has served as the Coordinator of Baseball Umpires for the SEC since 2014. 
 
Guillie, a native of New Orleans, La., will be responsible for recruiting, training, scheduling and evaluating umpires for the Sun Belt.  Prior to becoming the SEC Coordinator, he umpired numerous NCAA Regional and Super Regional Tournaments.  His officiating career was highlighted by umpiring the NCAA College World Series on four occasions.
 
Baseball will now be the seventh sport that the Sun Belt and SEC share a joint officiating program, joining football, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, and softball.
 
“The Sun Belt has and will continue to benefit greatly from this officiating partnership with the SEC as we have seen vast improvement in our officiating programs” added Benson.