NBA referee Ashley Moyer-Gleich took the next step in her pioneering career by being selected for the playoffs.
Moyer-Gleich will become the second woman to referee an NBA postseason game, after being selected as one of 36 first-round referees.
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It has been more than a decade since a woman officiated in the playoffs, with Violet Palmer officiating nine games between 2006 and 2012.
The 36-year-old described her appointment as “surreal”.
“I worked four games as a sub last year, so obviously my goal was to want to be a sub again because this is just sustaining the growth I’ve had in my career,” Moyer-Gleich told the AP.
“And then seeing my name on the employee list at my workplace…
“I mean, my mom was with me, she came with me to my last two games for a little trip, and to open that email and have her there with me and share that news was really amazing.”
Moyer-Gleich played collegiately at Division II Millersville University in his native Pennsylvania.
She was promoted to the role of full-time NBA referee in November 2018, having previously officiated in the NBA G-League as well as the WNBA.
Moyer-Gleich worked more than 200 NBA regular-season games over six seasons.
His dream now is to officiate in the NBA Finals.
“Obviously, this is an aspiration and a goal that is in the future,” she said.
“And hopefully I can continue on the same trajectory, continue to increase my responsibility on the court, maybe moving from referee to team manager at some point and then hopefully get to the finals – the epitome of what we do.
“Whether I’m the first or not, I think just one woman stepping up and having that opportunity would be monumental.”
Moyer-Gleich made headlines in the 2020-21 season when Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic appeared to flirt with her.
Doncic told the referee about a foul she had apparently missed.
“What’s missing?” she asked.
Doncic responded with a smile: “I’m in love with you!“
Moyer-Gleich believes he has earned respect in the NBA through years of hard work.
“Yes, I feel like a woman in a man’s world, but not in a negative way.” she told Lebanon Sports Buzz.
“In this arena all the players are men, most of the coaches are men and many of my partners are men.
“Do I feel like a woman in a male-dominated world?
“But I don’t feel like I’m treated any differently.
“They (players, coaches, teammates) probably root for me more than I do.
“People tell me that I belong here, that I deserve it. It gives me a sense of confidence.”
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
