Coaches Biggest Problem With New Rules ...

[SD Referee]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

As much as I love officiating, with some exceptions, I wouldn't do it for free.

Fees, traffic, fines, dues, traffic, insurance, traffic, travel, traffic, meetings, traffic, camps, traffic, clinics, traffic, uniforms, traffic, shoes, traffic, equipment bags.

Ha ha ha!!!!!!! Yeah I suppose it takes longer to get a game than it would take to actually do a game and makes volunteering not worth it. Not really a problem where I live.

I'm curious about a few things you listed. What do you mean by "fines" and "insurance"? Part of our fee that we pay the state to be an official goes for insurance. That's the only insurance anybody has here.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by SD Referee

I'm curious about a few things you listed. What do you mean by "fines" and "insurance"?

Many IAABO boards have access to voluntary supplemental insurance provided by the Borden Perlman Insurance Agency. It's a bargain at $7.00 each year, especially the death benefit for those without life insurance that could help a family pay for a funeral, and the accident insurance for those that don't have their own medical insurance.

Accident Medical
$25,000 Excess Accident Limit
$25,000 Physical Therapy
$25,000 Dental
$10,000 Accidental Death
Liability $5,000,000 Per Official/Per Location
Game Fee Reimbursement
100% of Game Fee up to $50 per game
$2,000 Max Payout

We have a "laundry list" of fines:

Missed game assignments – full game fee
Game turn-back due to not blocking date in the Arbiter - $15
Arbiter Late Partner Evaluation (submitted more than 7 calendar days from assigned game date): 2 to 3 Late or Missed - $25 Total; 4 or more Late or Missed - $50 Total
Missed Meeting(s): A fine of $25 will be assessed for each meeting not attended beyond one permitted missed meeting.

My first year, in ancient times © Mark T. DeNucci, Sr., 2018, the new guys were often assigned to work some men's recreation leagues (no more). I forgot to put a triple header on my calendar, and was a no show. I could of been fined three game fees, a steep penalty (plus I lost the three game fees, in essence a six game fee fine) for a low paid (at the time) teacher with a young family, but our treasurer took pity on me and only fined me a single game fee, dodged a bullet there.

We also have late fees, and possible assignment penalties (half season, full season), for paying one's dues, fees, or fines, late, or if one bounces a check.

Membership Dues Late Payment Fee - $50
Game Assignment Fee (7%) Late Payment Fee - $50
Late Payment For All Fines Fee - $50
Returned check fee is $25

Penalty for Non-Compliance Membership Dues and Game Assignment Fee
If not paid by April 4 – Eligible for Assignments January 15
If not paid by May 1 – No assignments for the entire season

Penalty for Non-Compliance with Fines
No Assignments for the entire season (if not paid within 60 days of Fine letter)

We have a new one. Attendance at the year end banquet requires a $20 deposit that you get back when you attend the banquet. We were paying for too many "no show plates" each year.

I had a last minute family emergency last year and lost my $20. I wonder if I can deduct that from my taxes as a business expense. I'll check with my tax accountants, Dewey, Cheatem & Howe.

[SD Referee]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Many IAABO boards have access to voluntary supplemental insurance provided by the Borden Perlman Insurance Agency. It's a bargain at $7.00 each year, especially the death benefit for those without life insurance that could help a family pay for a funeral, and the accident insurance for those that don't have their own medical insurance.

Accident Medical
$25,000 Excess Accident Limit
$25,000 Physical Therapy
$25,000 Dental
$10,000 Accidental Death
Liability $5,000,000 Per Official/Per Location
Game Fee Reimbursement
100% of Game Fee up to $50 per game
$2,000 Max Payout

We have a "laundry list" of fines:

Missed game assignments – full game fee
Game turn-back due to not blocking date in the Arbiter - $15
Arbiter Late Partner Evaluation (submitted more than 7 calendar days from assigned game date): 2 to 3 Late or Missed - $25 Total; 4 or more Late or Missed - $50 Total
Missed Meeting(s): A fine of $25 will be assessed for each meeting not attended beyond one permitted missed meeting.

We also have late fees, and possible assignment penalties (half season, full season), for paying one's dues, fees, or fines, late, or if one bounces a check.

Membership Dues Late Payment Fee - $50
Game Assignment Fee (7%) Late Payment Fee - $50
Late Payment For All Fines Fee - $50
Returned check fee is $25

Penalty for Non-Compliance Membership Dues and Game Assignment Fee
If not paid by April 4 – Eligible for Assignments January 15
If not paid by May 1 – No assignments for the entire season

Penalty for Non-Compliance with Fines
No Assignments for the entire season (if not paid within 60 days of Fine letter)

Wow! That's a lot of stuff. Some of those same fines apply to us, but a lot of them do not apply to how we do things.

I totally understand the insurance part of it. That's a great deal! I already have medical and life insurance, so that wouldn't mean much to me, but it could mean a great deal for many people.

How does your fine system have anything to do with working a scrimmage for free/volunteering?

Thanks for the conversation and information.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by SD Referee

How does your fine system have anything to do with working a scrimmage for free/volunteering?

Nothing to do with each other.

We no longer volunteer to work free scrimmages.

Scrimmages are treated like any other assigned game. All fines apply, including the 7% assignment fee.

The difference is that we only get paid $50.00 (instead of usual Varsity Fee $97.17; Sub Varsity Fee $63.05), for three assigned officials who rotate into a two person game for six periods (about two hours).

So, in essence, the schools are getting about $240 worth of officiating for a scrimmage discount price of $150.

[SD Referee]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Nothing to do with each other.

We no longer volunteer to work free scrimmages.

Scrimmages are treated like any other assigned game. All fines apply, including the 7% assignment fee.

The difference is that we only get paid $50.00 (instead of usual Varsity Fee $97.17; Sub Varsity Fee $63.05), for three assigned officials who rotate into a two person game for six periods (about two hours).

So, in essence, the schools are getting about $240 worth of officiating for a scrimmage discount price of $150.

I see. Thanks for the info. I totally understand your stance.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by SD Referee

... a lot of them do not apply to how we do things.

I'm curious. What do your guys get away with scot free (Yes Mr. President, it's not scott free), that our guys get fined for (other than partner evaluations)?

With 325 guys on our local board, we've got a few knuckleheads who would make life really difficult for our treasurer if these fines were not in place.

[SC Official]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I'm curious. What do your guys get away with scot free (Yes Mr. President, it's not scott free), that our guys get fined for (other than partner evaluations)?

With 325 guys on our local board, we've got a few knuckleheads who would make life really difficult for our treasurer if these fines were not in place.

A lot of states don't have "associations" or "boards" dishing out assignments. If a conference assigner gets annoyed with someone, (s)he's free to not use him/her.

[SD Referee]

Originally Posted by SC Official

A lot of states don't have "associations" or "boards" dishing out assignments. If a conference assigner gets annoyed with someone, (s)he's free to not use him/her.

We don't even have conference assigners. Each individual school schedules the officials they want.

[SD Referee]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I'm curious. What do your guys get away with scot free (Yes Mr. President, it's not scott free), that our guys get fined for (other than partner evaluations)?

With 325 guys on our local board, we've got a few knuckleheads who would make life really difficult for our treasurer if these fines were not in place.

Well for one, we don't do partner evaluations so there are no deadlines and fines for not doing one on time.

We don't have a "Game Assignment Fee Late Payment Fee" Not sure I understand what that is.

We don't tack on late payment for fines fees.

We don't have a missed game assignment fee/fine. Then again, we never have guys that "no show". Guys might need to drop games, but they find a replacement for themselves. We don't use Arbiter, so anything associated with that doesn't apply to us.

We don't have missed meetings penalties. If you don't hit the required number of meetings you are ineligible for post season.

I think that's it. You guys have a lot more "stuff" to deal with.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by SD Referee

We don't have a "Game Assignment Fee Late Payment Fee" Not sure I understand what that is.

At the end of the season we pay 7% of our earnings to the board. It's due by early April. If it's late there's a $50 late fee, plus you lose assignments until mid-January. If it later than early May, you pay the $50 and lose all assignments the following year.

Like I said, we've got a few knuckleheads on our local board.

Originally Posted by SD Referee

We don't tack on late payment for fines fees.

You, obviously, don't have any knuckleheads in your association.

We've got 325 guys on our local board, the treasurer's job would be impossible to do without the threat of steep late fees. One doesn't ignore $50 fines. That isn't pocket change for most. And yet, we have guys who get fined every year. Forgetful, poor bookkeeping, lack of attention to detail, can't read a calendar, etc.

We had a guy a few years ago that lost his entire season schedule because he forgot to attend a mandatory new rules meeting (several sites offered, several dates offered).

[SD Referee]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

At the end of the season we pay 7% of our earnings to the board. It's due by early April. If it's late there's a $50 late fee, plus you lose assignments until mid-January. If it later than early May, you pay the $50 and lose all assignments the following year.

Like I said, we've got a few knuckleheads on our local board.



You, obviously, don't have any knuckleheads in your association.

We've got 325 guys on our local board, the treasurer's job would be impossible to do without the threat of steep late fees. One doesn't ignore $50 fines. That isn't pocket change for most. And yet, we have guys who get fined every year. Forgetful, poor bookkeeping, lack of attention to detail, can't read a calendar, etc.

We had a guy a few years ago that lost his entire season schedule because he forgot to attend a mandatory new rules meeting (several sites offered, several dates offered).

I agree that when you are in charge of collecting fees from 325 you do need some threat of late fees. Thanks for all of the information and conversation!