National Basketball Association

Vaden replaces Fryer as NBA VP of officials

Published Oct. 7, 2011 2:42 p.m. ET

foxsports

The NBA has chosen longtime referee Don Vaden as its new vice president and director of officials.

Vaden will replace Bernie Fryer, who will become director of referee development. The league says Friday that Fryer has some health issues that make him better suited for a role with less travel.

Vaden, who officiated 854 regular-season games and 59 playoff and finals games in a 15-year career, will be responsible for the management and performance of the referee staff. NBA president of league operations Joel Litvin says Vaden has worked in the officiating program for nine years and ''is fully prepared to assume Bernie's role as manager of our referees.''

Fryer will mentor and evaluate current referees and scout potential new ones.