Fujimoto’s World Black and White : Basketball: Official circles the globe chasing the bouncing ball, hitting all the whistle stops.

Carla Fujimoto’s frequent-flyer miles never drop below a couple thousand. For more than a decade the Cal State Northridge graduate has traveled around the world officiating women’s basketball games.

Fujimoto is a veteran NCAA Division I referee who has worked the Final Four and spends most of the college off-season working national and international events.

She was one of six officials chosen to work the U.S. National Team Trials in Colorado Springs in May. Last week, she left for New Haven, Conn. where she is working at the International Special Olympics until Monday.

Later this month Fujimoto, 38, will officiate a high school invitational in Texas and the Amateur Athletic Union 15-and-under nationals in Indianapolis. In August, she heads for Japan and the World University Games.

During the college basketball season, Fujimoto works an average of four games a week in six conferences--Big West, Southwest, Western Athletic, West Coast, American West and Pacific 10.

“I’m never home,” Fujimoto said, laughing. “It’s a pretty hectic schedule.”

The work is tough, too. Today’s athletes, Fujimoto said, are quick, strong and polished. That means referees have to be mentally sharp and, of course, in top physical condition.

“Your concentration level has to be real high,” Fujimoto said. “It’s hard work and it’s a lot of pressure. You always have to focus.”

Fujimoto, who lives in Pasadena, played basketball at Beverly Hills High and Valley College.

At Northridge, she was on the fencing team for three years. In 1981, her senior season, the Matador fencing team placed 10th at the Assn. of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women Nationals at Notre Dame.

“I used to watch fencing on a television show and I thought it would be fun to do,” Fujimoto said. “I really liked it a lot.”

But not more than her first love, basketball. Fujimoto never gave up the game, even while competing as a fencer. She played basketball in recreational leagues and in the school’s intramural program.

After graduating from Northridge with a degree in physical education, Fujimoto was ready for more nights in the gym.

“Officiating was another avenue that allowed me to be involved with the sport,” she said. “I loved playing basketball and this was the next-best thing.”

Fujimoto, who also has a master’s degree in education, coached girls’ high school basketball for several years before her hectic officiating schedule forced her to choose between coaching and officiating a couple of years ago.

Since coaches are prohibited from running the floor, officiating won out. Fujimoto quit as girls’ basketball coach at San Gabriel High, but remains as a full-time physical education teacher.

Starting as an official in youth and men’s recreation leagues, Fujimoto worked her way up to high school boys’ games, then NAIA and NCAA Division II women’s events.

Her assent through the ranks came with a fair share of adversity. When Fujimoto started, there were only a handful of women basketball officials.

“It’s hard being short [5 feet 4], Asian and a woman,” Fujimoto said. “Those are three strikes against you. I had to prove myself. I had to prove I could control a game.”

No problem there. Fujimoto’s work has earned her opportunities at several national and international events.

“She is one of the top officials on the West Coast and she is recognized as one of the elite in the U.S.,” said Andrea Osborne, coordinator of officials for the Big West Conference. “She is a quality, sought-after official.”

Fujimoto officiates a handful of Division II games each season, but the core of her work is in Division I. She makes an average of $300 for officiating a Division I game.

Working the 1993 Final Four in Atlanta was the highlight of Fujimoto’s career.

“That was really incredible,” she said. “I’ve officiated some big events and I’ve had the opportunity to work with the best players in the world, but the Final Four was big for me.”

Fujimoto also has worked four U.S. National team trials, two U.S. Olympic Festivals, the Goodwill Games and the America’s Cup.

Each time Fujimoto was selected from a large field of top officials.

“There’s a whole series of grueling trials that go on before you get selected,” Osborne said. “Carla is being considered for the Olympics. She’s that good.”

If she works the 1996 Games in Atlanta, Fujimoto will consider cutting back her schedule.

“I take each year at a time,” she said. “Sometimes I just take one game at a time.”

Before she retires completely, Fujimoto would like to see at least one major change in women’s basketball: greater opportunities for players once they complete their college eligibility.

Without a women’s professional league in the United States, women must leave the country to make a living at their game.

“It’s sad to see that the U.S. has the best players in the world and no leagues,” Fujimoto said.

Perhaps Fujimoto will officiate long enough to referee a women’s pro game in the United States.