Having asked questions about the past, present and her own opinion of things, I decided to finish out the interview by asking Ms. Wetzel what some of her plans for the future might be.

QUESTION: Are you currently involved with, or a board member of, any associations or organizations related to basketball? And do you hope to be associated with others in the future?
ANSWER: Central Western New York Girls Basketball Officials (CWGBO), NCAA Division I - Atlantic 10 and Patriot League and NCAA Division III - Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) and I am also a member of the USA Basketball organization. I hope to attend a USA Basketball-sponsored clinic to obtain a FIBA certificate to qualify for the international officiating competition.

QUESTION: What do you hope to be doing a year from now and further down the road?
ANSWER: I hope to work for more Division I Conferences and officiate in the NCAA Division I Conference Tournament and National Tournament, and become an international basketball referee to officiate at the Deaflympics and move to the next level as a WNBA referee. I also hope to become a Referees Development Camp Director for deaf youths and adults someday. I am now working on writing a children's book about my experience as a deaf basketball referee and plan to finish it next year.

QUESTION: What advice would you give someone who wanted to become a referee at the college level?
ANSWER: Be knowledgeable of the basketball rules and floor mechanics. Attend summer camps for personal and professional growth in basketball officiating. Develop a network with the fellow officials. Don't give up your dreams and be perseverant!

Recently, Ms. Wetzel received the 2004-2005 grant from the Laurent Clerc Cultural Fund (LCCF) of the Gallaudet University Alumni Association. The latest but certainly not the last achievement by an aspiring and inspiring person! Marsha Wetzel is using the grant money to write a children's book called "Silent Whistle: Basketball Officiating." Her book will focus on her life as a deaf basketball official during a summer referee camp and regular collegiate basketball game. I, for one, look forward to it coming out in print.

Thank you again Ms. Wetzel for your time and I wish you the best of luck in pursuing your dreams! See you on the court!

Follow the links for more!
Marsha Wetzel - Marsha Wetzel First Deaf Female Referee NCAA Division I - The Beginning
Marsha Wetzel - On The Job
Marsha Wetzel - Her Point Of View