Throughout her 30-year career as a wrestling referee, Marcia D.W. Haise wanted to be recognized as a top official, not simply as the best female official.

Her determination and perseverance helped her become a trailblazer for women officials, demonstrating excellence in the most elite wrestling competitions in the world.

Elevated to MI Exceptionalle in 1998, she became the third American woman, and the fourth female in the world, allowed to compete for an Olympic position. Representing the United States Wrestling Association, she officiated 16 World Championships, four Pan American Championships, being selected as Outstanding Official in 1993, and three World Cups.

She became the first American to officiate at the Asian Games in 2002 and at the Asian Championships the following year. Haise is the only woman official to officiate the New York state high school championships, and she has done it three times.

She has been the New York USA Wrestling Freestyle and Greco-Roman head official and clinician for 20 years while also serving as chair of New York officials for six years and as treasurer for New York USA Wrestling for six years. She also spent six years as secretary/treasurer for the Long Island Wrestling Officials Association and three years as secretary/treasurer for the New York Wrestling Officials Association.

She is a member of USA Wrestling’s Diversity Committee, and has previously served on its finance committee, women’s committee, and women’s coaches’ selection committee.

She received the Lifetime Service to Wrestling award from the Downstate New York Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2014. She has also been recognized by New York USA Wrestling with their Lifetime Service Award and by the US Wrestling Officials Association with their Lifetime Achievement Award.

Haise received her bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University, her master’s degree from State University of New York at Stony Brook, and an educational administrator’s degree from Long Island University CW Post.