The Sports United Benevolent Officials Association (SUBOA) is a not-for-profit organization, not affiliated with any basketball governing body, that has been preparing men and women to enter the vocation of basketball officiating for over fifty years. Current members and past graduates officiate on the NBA, NCAA, JUCO and High School levels. It is considered by many to be the number one coed referee development and training program in the country.
We can and do provide referees for all levels of basketball. If you are interested in having our experienced and well prepared referees officiate your tournament please contact Myles Dorch or Kelsey Stevens. We are sure our officials will demonstrate a level of accuracy and consistency that will help your tournament reach a new standard for basketball in New York.
SUBOA HISTORY
SUBOA was founded in 1967. SUBOA’s original name stood for Sports United Boro-Wide Officials Association, Broman Division. Broman stood for Bronx-Manhattan. SUBOA is the present acronym for Sports United Benevolent Officials Alliance. SUBOA’s eight founders were:
John Purvis Richard “Skinny” Reed
Billy Clarke Rudolph “Bootsy” Mims
Bobby Ware Rozier Hansborough
Jim Murry Victor Jeffers
SNAP is an acronym for SUBOA New Applicant Program. SNAP was started in 1984 by Jimm Paull and Walter Williams.
SUBOA MILESTONES
First official to work in the NBA: Hugh Evans
First official to work Men’s NCAA Division I: John Purvis
First official to work Women’s NCAA Division I: Jimm Paull
First official to work the NCAA playoffs: David Day
First woman to work Boy’s PSAL New York City championship: Heather Brown
SUBOA officials who have worked in the NBA:
Hugh Evans Robbie Robinson
Lee Jones Sylvester Dobson
Ronnie Nunn Richie Jackson
SUBOA officials who have worked NCAA Division I:
David Day John Purvis
Leroy Hendricks Irving Nash
Danny Tavares Leon Barrett
Darryl Perry Tony Turner
Fred Griffin Anthony Price
Randy Donaldson Jimm Paull
Vincent Murray Belinda Barnes
Tracey Townes Nate Milligan
Billy Brooks, Jr Bill Modeste
Heather Brown
NCAA Division I conferences our members have worked in:
Big East
Atlantic 10
SEC
Big South
MAAC
Ivy
Northeast
Patriot
American East
SUBOA officials who have worked Madison Square Garden:
Orrin Barfield Belinda Barnes
Leon Barrett Bill Baxter
Kim Blair Heather Brown
Joyce Bryant Billy Clarke
Susan Christian Dave Day
Randy Donaldson Rerita Essanason
Joel Flax Leroy Hendricks
Archie Layne Bill Modeste
Bryant Miranda Mike Napolitano
Irv Nash John Purvis
Jimm Paull Darryl Perry
Lorenzo Richardson Wanda Randolph
Kelsey Stevens Kyle Toppin
Tracy Townes
SUBOA Presidents:
Rozier Hansborough
Billy Clarke
John Purvis
Jim Murray
Harold Rapsatt
Richard Brown
Bob Sawyer
Haneef Nelson
Vincent Murray
Kelsey Stevens
Lester Adams
NY S.U.B.O.A. 
Hello, can you please correct the name of Mr. Reed, one of the founders, as we called him. He was my childhood coach and father figure to me in the South Bronx. His correct name is Richard Reed (Skinny) not Robert. I feel we should have Summer Tourament to honor him called the Skinny Reed Classic. He was great caring person to many kids in South Bronx community.
I remember him as a great guy also (even though I played for a rival Bronx team).
Hi, I am the granddaughter of founding member, Victor Jeffers. I am writing to commend the continuing efforts and strides being made through this program. I am absolutely certain that my grandfather would be extremely proud and honored! I have often heard stories of his love for basketball and officiating. I have many pictures of him on the hardwood, ref shirt and whistle, and also as a player. I just want to say thank you on behalf of the Jeffers family, that you stuck to the core principals and efforts that was the foundation for this program co-founded by my grandfather along with the other seven gentlemen . Great job! God Bless
LaQuawna Jeffers
LaQuana, Indeed your grandfather was a great man. “Jeff the Ref” always sticks in my mind when I think of my first years playing biddie basketball. He would always talk to me as an 8 year old little guy that played with 11 and 12 year old teammates for the team Boys of Yesteryear. His legacy lives on in my heart and SUBOA is trying their best to do the same. You should be proud to have had a grandfather and gentleman like Mr. Jeffers. I posted a team pic on facebook of that B of Y team.
Hi LaQuawna, I was wondering if you are the daughter of Vic Jr? If so, I wanted you to know that he was a great man such as his father was and a person I considered a good friend. He was also a great ballplayer representing GunHill and also as I’m sure you know was a great cook! God Bless the Jeffers family.
My name is Jason Green. LaQuawna is my cousin and we are both children of Victor Jr’s sisters. We appreciate the comments about our Uncle and Grandfather and are extremely proud of our lineage. My cousin Victor Jeffers III. carries the name into the future and we all carry the Jeffers Spirit. RIP Gramma, Grampa, and Uncle Vic.
I WOULD LIKE A COPY OF ONE OF JEFF’S PHOTOS, HE DID MANY OF MY GAMES, LONG AGO, A RUFF TUFF REF. PLEASE E-MAIL ME A PHOTO, I WOULD LIKE TO DISPLAY IT AT THE ANNUAL ROGER “BUSTER” BRYANT AFFAIR @ MILBANK.
CAN U CONTACT ME VIA EMAIL MIESHA34@YAHOO.COM THIS MESSAGE IS FOR L. JEFFERS
its nice to see suboa with this web site and have a chance to reflect on our history of officating the city game..john purvis james murray skinny reid jeff mr. hansbouough bootsie mims really pave the way //its good too see my teamate wm modeste is active –peace
Hi everyone my name is Victor Jeffers, son of Victor Jeffers Jr. .I stumbled on this site accidently googling my name (Hi cousin LaQuawana). I never met my grandfather but heard millions of great stories about him from my dad. He was always spoken greatly of and I would have loved to met him.Rip Victor Jeffers senior, Rip Victor Jeffers jr (my dad) . You will always be missed.
your grandfather was a man for all seasons , he was a lot of serious fun ,it is what it is…
Peace and blessings Mr Blount. My name is Sudan Jeffers and I am the firstborn son of Victor Jeffers Jr. Thanks for your kind words and sentiments for my Dad and Granddad, two men that were special in so many ways, and forever my greatest heros. Peace and blessings.
Peace and blessings Mr Blount. My name is Sudan Jeffers and I am the firstborn son of Victor Jeffers Jr. Thanks for your kind words and sentiments for our family, my Dad,and Granddad, two men that were special in so many ways, and forever my greatest heros. Peace and blessings.
Would love to have two of your refs for an upcoming basketball tournament someone recommended you guys so I thought I would write and get some more information. I also run a non profit organization called Bed Stuy Stop The Violence Basketball Camp, our tournament starts on June 27, 2015 and I really need some experienced refs we are in Brooklyn, I hope that’s not a problem the age groups are 13-14, 15-17, and 18-up. I really hope you guys can help me I just need to know your rates is it per game or a onetime payment please let me know. Thank You Mr. Harold Robinson
Great to hear from you. Heather Brown, our assigner has gotten in touch with Tre. We look forward to working with you!
Join the family in celebration of the life of JULIUS WALLS SR, who maintained his course on Faith Dr, fearing no evil, till he reached the final designated destination – Heaven. VIEWING: Sunday, 8/21/16 from 3:00 pm till 5:30 pm, HOMEGOING: Monday, 8/22/16 @ 9:30 Place: St. Peter Claver Church, 29 Claver Place between Jefferson Avenue and Claver Place in Brooklyn, New York. Transportation: B25, B49,B48, C train, franklin avenue shuttle.
Please contact me at 3476612537
The Black Family
We would like to express the loss and passing of John Black, former Athletic Director/Coach, at the Church of the Intercession and SUBOA, NY Basketball Referee.
Viewing Mon Sep 12, 2016 from 3-7 PM. Funeral Tue Sep 13, 2016 at 10 AM, at the Church of the Intercession, Manhattan.
http://www.amsterdammemorialny.com/obits/obituary.php?id=679885
The Basketball community shares in your loss and we offer our prayers and condolences to the Black Family.
Mike napolitano please send me a photo of your team boys of yesteryear
My email is: bobwilson.ii56@gmail.com
I played biddie ball and other tournaments and victor jeffries refereed dda lot of my games. He was a stern man and no one would back talk him. I too know him as Jeff The Ref.
Aww I remember when I was young and my Dad, Ramon Maldonado (born in 1926) used to referee with SUBOA. He was so proud! Think it was in the 70s. I used to go to some of the games and if I couldn’t go because it was a school night, my Mom would let me wait up for him. Wonderful memories. My Dad passed away on April 29, 2013 at 87 yrs old and my Mom unexpectedly passed away last year on August 27, 2018, at 80 yrs old.
I am a Suboa Official
Snap Class of 1997.
My Name is
Jonathan Taylor Harlem .NYC Proud And Honored To One. Thank You !
Nice to hear from you. So, you were in the class taught by Charles Lloyd. We are planning to offer a member Welcome Back option. Please subscribe to this newsletter and you’ll get an email about it. Thanks.