[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

1) IAABO is the largest basketball officials association in the world with membership of over 15,000 members.

2) Yes, in some parts of the country (both US and Canada), one must be a member of IAABO to officiate basketball. Because a) either the state or province has mandated membership in IAABO or b) the state has delegated the registration of basketball officials to IAABO. In those states in situation (a) it is not unlike being registered to officate high school sports by the OhioHSAA, because everybody is automatically given a membership in NFIOA. I felt this was wrong. I have always been a member of NFIOA becaus I wanted to be a member, but I did not think that membership should necessarily be mandatory. In states where situation (b), the states have said we do not want to train or register basketball officials but we will only use officials who are members of IAABO. This is just like it is in southern California. The CIF does not register basketball officials, but will only use officials who are members of the Southern California Basketball Officials Association (and it was a top-notch basketball officials association when I belonged to it in the early 80's). But I will say it again, if you include getting games as a reason for belonging to a national organization such as IAABO then maybe you are in the wrong avocation.

3) Engineers are people who use mathematics and science to design and construct/manufacture of all manner of products and structures utilizing natural and man-made materials. Engineers do not drive trains. Train drivers drive trains.