OGDEN, Utah (August 12, 2016) – With the 2016 Olympic Games taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Big Sky Conference fans might see a familiar face on the court during the women’s basketball competition. Long-time women’s basketball official, Karen Lasuik was selected as a referee for the 2016 games.
Lasuik, a native of Edmonton Alberta, has held her international officiating license since the mid-1990s but this is her first experience in the Olympics. When she learned that she had been selected as an official for the Games, Lasuik was understandably excited.
“I lost my breath,” said Lasuik. “I had hoped I would get this chance for a long time so when it actually became true I lost my breath. I was in my classroom with my students and I bent over and started crying. I was so happy.”
Lasuik has been an NCAA women’s basketball referee since 2004 and typically officiates 15 to 17 Big Sky Conference contests per season.
“I find the Big Sky Conference to be one of the most challenging conferences,” said Lasuik. “I like that the games have a down-home feel. The players are gritty and I love the Big Sky’s style of play. If you want to improve as an official, the Big Sky is a good conference to be in.”
The level of play in the Olympics and the differences in rules are a challenge for officials.
“At the international level, you’re getting the cream of the crop of players from each country,” said Lasuik. “It is the most challenging basketball that I do. They cause you, as an official, to be on guard and be your absolute best at every moment. There’s no let up.”
Besides the requisite training in the laws of the game, Olympic officials are required to be at the peak of their abilities physically as well as mentally.
“I review my game films from the World Championships and Euro Championships so I can get a feel for the players that I’ll see in the Olympics,” said Lusik. “We’re mandated three workouts a week and we have to submit a sprint test every three weeks. We’re required to be in as good of shape as the athletes.”
With experience officiating numerous NCAA women’s basketball games, including Big Sky Conference games, the Pan American Games, the 2013 FIBA World Championships and the 2013 FIBA Americas championship, Lasuik looks at the Olympic games as a culmination of her international officiating career.
“I was so excited to get the call to go to Rio,” said Lasuik. “It is a huge honor for me.”
The 2016 Olympic women’s basketball competition is currently underway and will run until August 21.