It’s official.

He’s also an official.

Eastern interim athletic director Ken Baker confirmed on Friday he would be in the replay booth for Super Bowl XLII on Feb. 3 in Glendale, Ariz.

Baker cannot comment on the game because National Football League rules state he cannot until the end of the season, which includes the Feb. 10 Pro Bowl in Hawaii.

Eastern associate athletic director John Smith said he found out last week Baker would be the replay official. He said Baker’s selection was well deserved.

“He looked at me with a grin on his face and said he got the call,” Smith said.

Smith said he knew Baker was going to be an official before the NFC and AFC Championships games.

This will be Baker’s first Super Bowl.

“Ken Baker’s selection demonstrates very high regard for his ability as an official, his knowledge of the game, and his integrity,” said Eastern President Bill Perry.

Baker has refereed at the college and professional level. He was as a football referee for the Big Ten Conference (1984-1990), a referee for the NFL (1991-2001) and is now a replay official for the NFL (2003-present).

Baker said he knew about the selection for a couple of weeks but could not say anything until this past week.

Baker couldn’t have been an official in the game if there was an Eastern connection.

That is something that is becoming more common in the NFL.

Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress, New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, Denver Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo all have Eastern ties.

Perry said he is glad to have Baker in the Super Bowl even if the other Eastern connections won’t be playing in Arizona.

“The public’s knowledge of a university is influenced in many ways,” Perry said. “Among those ways are athletic program performance and associated individual performances. Alumni achievement is a powerful factor in university reputation.”

Baker, a Charleston native, has been trying to balance being an athletic director since Aug. 21 and being a replay official at the same time.

Baker said the NFL and Eastern are understanding of his commitments to both.

Baker could not attend every Eastern home football game, but was here for Homecoming and Family Weekend. Baker was also present for the first NCAA women’s rugby match between Eastern and West Chester.

Baker said balancing his commitments requires a lot of communication, but he loves his jobs.

And Smith is happy to have Baker as the athletic director – something that will end when a new AD is hired this year.

“Personally, I wish they could convince him to stay,” Smith said.

Kevin Murphy can be reached at 581-7944 or at kjmurphy@eiu.edu.