Profato says OAC changes benefit member sports

The executive director of the OAC spoke to the Curbstone Coaches on Monday.

By GREG GULAS

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

BOARDMAN — As the executive director of the Ohio Athletic Commission, Bernie Profato has drawn rave reviews nationally for his cutting edge leadership.

The National Softball Umpires and Ohio State Former Boxers Halls of Fame inductee told the Curbstone Coaches on Monday that his experience of serving one group (softball) was the driving force behind the restructuring and changes within the OAC.

His 30-year association (he will retire from that post next February) with the National Umpires Softball staff also includes a 15-year stint as chair of their Playing Rules Committee.

“It's been a great ride for me because of the many changes we were able to implement over the years,” Profato said. “Those changes were only realized when teams and officials submitted to me their many thoughts; ideas that the executive committee deemed appropriate to act upon.

“While serving the OAC. we have been able to make many changes within the organization; changes that have benefited everyone connected with our sport,” Profato said.

Formerly known as the Ohio Boxing Commission when the late Blackie Gennaro was in charge, the OAC is the watchdog of not only boxing, but Top Man Competition, Karate, Kick-Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts competition.

The five-person commission, appointed by the Ohio Governor, is comprised of three members from one political party and two from the other major political party.

“Mixed Martial Arts is a tremendous competition, but we really didn’t have any rules or guidelines from which to draw,” Profato said. “Nevada, with the input of the U.F.C., formed unified for their Ultimate Fighting Championships so drawing from my softball experience, I just felt that we needed to regulate the amateur competition.

“We needed to set ground rules and standards for the amateurs because there weren't any at the time,” Profato said.

Profato is proudest of the fact that he and his staff have, if anything, regulated the safety and well-being of the fighters.

“When I fought as an amateur we never wore any headgear,” Profato said. “We've since changed that. We've added a data base on every fighter that tracks their matches while pairing the proper fighters on their respective cards.

“We match them up according to their records so as not to mismatch anyone when in the ring,” Profato said.

Among the noteworthy rules that Profato has helped implement include mandatory blood testing, a mandatory ophthalmology exam where they check the retina for any previous damage and for those fighters older than 35 years of age, a mandatory CAT scan or MRI before they are cleared to fight.

“You often wonder if you are doing the right thing,” Profato said. “That for us was reinforced when Dr. Margaret Goodman, the highly-respected Nevada ringside physician wrote in a recent magazine article that the only two states who should be applauded for their high standards are Ohio and Pennsylvania.”

A veteran boxing referee who has officiated 45 world title bouts, Profato has also worked five of Kelly Pavlik’s bouts.