Ann Arbor, MI — July 6, 2012 — Richard Fetchiet, director of Alumni Relations, Development, and Continuing Dental Education for the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, was inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame June 30.  In March, the Hall announced that he was this year’s recipient of the National Collegiate Umpire Award for a lifetime of excellence in umpiring.

An umpire for 35 years, Fetchiet has worked three College World Series, the 1991 Pan Am Games in Cuba, the 1993 World Cup Qualifier in Nicaragua, the 1997 Intercontinental Cup in Spain, the 1998 World Championships in Italy, the 1999 Cuban National Team’s game with the Baltimore Orioles, and the 2000 Olympic Games in Australia.

Unable to travel to participate in the induction ceremony that weekend in Lubbock, Texas, Fetchiet said in a video acceptance speech, “Umpiring has been a passion of mine since the age of 15.  It’s allowed me to remain a part of the game of college baseball and has taken me around the world and across the country for college games.”

When he learned he received the award this spring, Fetchiet said, “I remain beyond humbled.  Perhaps what makes this recognition so special is knowing that it comes from my friends and colleagues in college baseball umpiring.”

Fetchiet is currently Supervisor of the Collegiate Baseball Umpires Alliance and is Coordinator of Umpires for eight conferences, including the Big Ten Conference and the Big 12 Conference.