The BAFRA Board of Directors are delighted to welcome Kole Knueppel, B1G (Big Ten) Referee and former Short Wing, as Guest of Honour and Principal Speaker at our Annual Convention and Training Weekend, taking place 11–12 April 2026.

Over the past 20 years, BAFRA’s Convention has grown into one of the leading officiating training events in Europe, consistently attracting more than 95% of our active officials each year.

BAFRA President Davie Parsons said:
“We are delighted to welcome one of the NCAA’s brightest stars to our Convention. Kole has worked games at the highest levels of NCAA football and has been accepted onto the Mackie Development Programme designed to develop the next generation of NFL officials. Kole’s leadership is demonstrated every Saturday on the football field but also in the offseason where he is an accomplished clinician – delivering sessions at clinics in the US and abroad.”

Knueppel has been a long-standing figure in American football officiating, progressing through high school, small college, and Division I conferences before earning his position in the Big Ten Conference, where he has served as both a Short Wing and now a Referee. Known for his game management, communication skills, and commitment to training officials at all levels, Knueppel regularly contributes to camps and clinics across the United States.

His collegiate career includes officiating numerous high-profile matchups, rivalry games, and postseason assignments. As a crew chief in the Big Ten, he is recognised for his leadership on the field and his focus on developing consistent mechanics and professional standards for crews under his guidance. For the 2025 season, Kole was selected for the first round of the CFP (College Football Playoff) for the matchup between old rivals #9 Alabama and #8 Oklahoma - another prestige matchup following a B1G Championship and CFP Quarterfinal (Peach Bowl) Alternate in the 2024 season

The 2026 BAFRA Convention will be held at Yarnfield Park Training & Conference Centre in Yarnfield, Staffordshire. Attendance is not limited to BAFRA members as we welcome officials from across Europe each year. If you are interested in attending, please contact: [email protected].