Camp Instructors

PAUL NAUERT, MLB #39, (Chief Instructor - Southern Umpires Camp
Major League Umpire for 19 years.  Paul has umpired 4 League Division Series, one LCS and All Star Game and the 2017 World Series.  A 1988 Graduate of the Harry Wendelstedt Umpires School, he was invited back as an Instructor at the Wendelstedt School, becoming the Chief Instructor for 8 years.  Nationally known as one of the finest instructors of umpiring, Paul has been involved in our camps for over 25 years, being the Chief Instructor for the last 21 years

 

TONY THOMPSON

Originated the first NCAA Division I conference staffs for the SEC, ACC and Atlantic Sun Conferences and was the coordinator for the Big South, OVC and Sun Belt Conferences for over 17 years. A pioneer and visionary, he implemented the first Super Clinic for College Umpires, thus setting the standard for the now annual NCAA Regional Clinics for baseball umpires.  Tony brought the first four-man umpire system to Division I baseball for the ACC, SEC and Sun Belt Conferences, along with the implementation of the NCAA Pitch clock while coordinator of the SEC.  He is currently the Coordinator of Umpires for the Atlantic 10, Peach Belt, Southern Conference and Southern States Athletic Conference.  A 1978 Graduate of the Al Somers Umpires School he went on to work who five seasons in professional baseball. Tony umpired the 1990 IBA World All-Star game, 1 Sun Belt, 15 SEC and 10 ACC Tournaments. In the NCAA post season, he umpired 10 NCAA Division I Regional's, the 1985 and 1988 Division II World Series and the 1993 & 1996 NCAA Division I World Series.  Under the leadership of Tony as a coordinator he is responsible for the most minority umpires selected to the NCAA post season at the D-I, II and III levels since 1988

KEN COUCH - Camp Director 
39 years of experience. One of college baseballs top umpires, Ken has umpired 1 Sun Belt and 19 SEC Tournaments. Ken has also umpired the AAAAA GHSA Championship, 12 Division I Regionals, 1 NCAA Super Regional, 3 Division II World Series and the 1999 NCAA Division 1 World Series. Ken is currently umpiring on the ACC and SEC umpire staffs.

CAMP STAFF

HAROLD THOMPSON; Camp photo / video staff 
Harold joined the camp staff in 1990 as a photographer and joined the camp audiovisual staff in 1999. After 4 years of service in the US Navy during the Korean War, Harold was appointed as a career firefighter in 1953. In 1965 he was appointed Superintendent of the Georgia Fire Academy and held that position until his retirement in 1992. He also umpired church, youth and summer baseball.
JACK HENDERSON; Camp video staff 
Jack is a graduate of both the International and Southern Umpire camps. Jack joined the camp audiovisual staff in 1999. He has been a High School umpire since 1985, having umpired numerous state tournaments, including the 2-A and 5-A GHSA State Championship. He is a retired Lt. Colonel from the United States Marine Corps.
JAMES HENDERSON; Camp video staff
James is a graduate of the Southern Umpire camp. James joined the camp audiovisual staff in 1999 and has been a Georgia High School Association umpire since 1992. James has umpired numerous State Tournaments including the Class A GHSA State Championship.
 Denotes Veteran