[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

I am a member of IAABO (Board #55, Lake Erie Bd. of Approved Basketball Officials), and a member of four its national committees.

IAABO stands for the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials. IAABO is headquarted in Germantown, Maryland. It is the largest basketball officials association in the world.

I quote from IAABO's own website its mission:

IAABO is "the only organization of its kind in the world: a nonprofit service and professional organization managed by and for basketball referees. Founded in 1923, IAABO's stated purposes are:

· To educate, train, develop, and provide continuous instruction for basketball officials.

· To promote the welfare of the game of basketball, its players and officials.

· To maintain the highest standard of basketball officiating.

· To encourage the spirit of fair play and sportsmanship.

· To have available at all times an adequate number of thoroughly trained and capable officials.

· To Cooperate with all organizations officially connected with the game of basketball in furthering its interests and ideals.

Through a worldwide organization of some 200 local "boards" spanning 38 States and 11 foreign counties, IAABO has been the unparalleled and undisputed leader in worldwide training of basketball officials in the areas of

· Basketball rules

· Mechanics and techniques of officiating

· Organization of local officials' groups

· Development of curricula and standards by which other officials' organizations are judged

From its international headquarters in the suburban Washington, D.C. area, Executive Director Paul "Jacky" Loube oversees staff and volunteers devoted to the training and improvement of basketball officiating everywhere. Up to the minute interpretations and other information are disseminated throughout the country via the IAABO communication network.

Training and education processes are ongoing—augmented by comprehensive written and practical programs, updated annually (or more often as needed). Throughout the year, the IAABO office, in conjunction with nationally acclaimed clinicians, constantly develops and improves teaching and testing techniques.

Recruitment of new members by local organizations is supported by the national public relations efforts of the IAABO office and the reputation of IAABO as the leader in basketball officiating.

OFFICIATING STANDARDS, QUALITY AND TRAINING

Officiating standards are reflected in the IAABO training program. For admission to IAABO membership, applicants must establish a satisfactory record of health and character and successfully complete extensive written and practical instruction, including comprehensive course curricula. Both written and clinical examinations are administered under the supervision of certified IAABO professionals. Unlike some other officials' "associations," it is not possible simply to pay a fee and "join” an organization for which the membership criteria are the ability of potential "members" to contribute to the profits of a business. IAABO officials need to earn their membership by successful completion of training which includes written and practical testing. Once admitted to membership, officials are required to undergo annual testing and attend clinics in rules and mechanics training and technical competence.

IAABO curricula and materials offer a total package for basketball officials, including not only rules and officiating mechanics instruction, but comprehensive materials relating to ethics, professionalism, legal rights and responsibilities of officials, and organization and conduct of officiating chapters (boards) to achieve the goals of a comprehensive officiating program. IAABO's widely acclaimed periodical publication, Sportorials, together with IAABO supplemental outlines enable the trainers to deliver fundamental information and philosophy to basketball officials in important aspects of their officiating such as, official/coach/player relations; handling rough play; advantage/disadvantage; verticality; game management and philosophy; and risk management.

The IAABO Charitable & Educational Foundation, Inc. utilizes contributions from many sources to continually broaden the scope and improve the quality of information disseminated for the benefit of basketball. IAABO publishes comprehensive reference materials including guidelines for local organizations, timers and scorers cards, pregame conference cards, self-evaluation forms, lesson plans supported by state of the art technology, and video libraries.

Nine IAABO standing committees, staffed by IAABO members who volunteer their services assist local boards in the areas such as education, examinations, membership development, board relations, policy, rating systems, and mechanics and techniques.

Rules and mechanics are taught in annual rules interpretation clinics each Fall, combined with regional seminars. Written materials, graphics, and videos of seminars and clinics are widely disseminated. In addition, IAABO referee schools in various parts of the country are available to those who seek to further improve their knowledge and skills.

With the ever increasing speed of change related to internet technologies IAABO continues to use different technology solutions to recruit, and continually update the training of members, distribute information, and develop an interactive community. Projects currently implemented or under development are:

· Searchable database

· Complete monthly publications (8 issues per year on line)

· Multimedia mechanics demonstrations

· Web-based discussion board

· On line testing with immediate result feedback

If a picture is worth a thousand words, what is it worth to watch and listen to a referee signaling a block while an instructor verbally describes the steps for the proper signal? IAABO's interactive technology enables members to see the proper way to report a two shot foul, or designate a designated spot throw-in. You Blow the Whistle tests the official's knowledge on how to handle different situations related to two and three person mechanic situations. With the increase in bandwidth and better compression technology, expectations are rising for more robust uses of the Internet for training and educating officials.

Instructional materials are constantly being developed and updated by recognized experts who are fulltime professionals in tile following fields:

· Basketball rules interpretations

· Basketball officiating techniques

· Educational goals of interscholastic athletics

· Legal rights and responsibilities of officials and officials' organizations

· Physical conditioning


One does not have to live in an area where there is an IAABO Board. Any basketball offical in the world can belong to IAABO. We have members that officiate at the NFHS, NCAA, FIBA, and NBA/WNBA level, and have had and currently have members who sit on the NFHS Rules Committee and Hank Nichols, NCAA Men's Officiating Coordinator is a long time IAABO member.

MTD, Sr.