Our state association recently mailed a rough draft of the "new" officials registration form to me for some opinions.
It seems, that beginning in 2004-05, they would like to conduct Criminal History Background Checks on all new officials and all officials in subsequent years.
I reviewed the form, and offered my opinion.
Do any other states require this? If so, how does it work, and what do they ask on the registration form?
Thanks in advance.

In Texas they simply ask if you have been convicted of a felony offense with the exception of traffic violations (as far as I remeber). And thats it.

Sounds like a pretty good idea. I know that little league coaches require this, all they ask for is full name and SSN if I remember correctly.

Just moved to AZ this year. They do it here.

In WISCONSIN
 

Submit your fee with a card that is signed-off by an Athletic Director and an already certified official and you are "in."

The sign-off states something to the effect that based on your knowledge of the individual you believe s/he is of proper character to fulfill the duties of sports official.

My question would be is this really an issue? I can see it with coaches, as they deal with the kids everyday in more private settings. I can't imagine anything happening of criminal nature at a game where an official is working. Sounds like a politically correct idea.

We have to allow a background check here in Oregon. Tony, I think part of it isn't so much the relationship to the players that's the issue, as just a general respect for the law. A ref that had an embezzlement conviction, for instance, is certainly no threat to a player! But that person may not be an asset to a refs association, if he or she isn't concerned about maintaining a certain level of responsibility and trustworthiness.

We don't do it here in VA (at least in northern VA). I think it is because we are so close to DC, and everyone knows that government workers are all honest, hard-working, and law-abiding. :D BTW, there are 4 advertisements for background checks at the top of this thread.

IHSA
 

We have had them in Illinois for some time.

Not sure what they do with us veterans anymore, but we at one time had to send a copy of your driver's license or State ID with a picture to renew our license. We have not had to do that for some time, but I am almost positive that they continually check for convictions or accusations in legal matters. But I am almost positive they still do it for newer officials.

Peace

Here in Washington we have to submit one every three years. From what I understand, they are basically just looking for sex offenders and trying to keep them from getting anywhere near kids.

Z

This is my point, rainmaker. What are the chances of this actually happening? Being a sport official does NOT put one in a position to take advantage of a child, any more than being a fan would. Now, I had to pass a background check to go to work for the school system and I understand that requirement. But this just seems to be overzealous.

Z, do you know if they've ever sniffed out a sex offender.

Darn right we are! I do wonder how many of us have manufactured backgrounds.

I was charged once with "impersonating an official".

Background checks on coaches
 

The DC CYO organization has required background checks on coaches for a long time. We even have to submit finger prints. This is required along with a NYSCA training program. Amazingly, they also give us copies of the rule book.

The check we go through in Wa, (Wa State Patrol Background check), is the same that the teachers go through. If they have caught any (sex offenders), they don't say. I do know, as an assigner, that we have had a few hits for felony convictions. these situations are reviewed with the legan counsel for the state on a case basis. I disagree with your statement that being a sports official does NOT put in a position to take advantage. If you work girls BB there are situations that questionable in view of the lack of adequate facilities for showers/dressing areas. To place an individual who has been convicted of a sex crime into a situation would be negligible on the part of the organization. I am not sure IF it has ever happened but understand the position of the State organization in taking every precaution to avoid it.

That's hilarious.:)

BktBallRef,

I disagree. I have worked schools where I had to walk through the girls locker room to get to mine. I need help on making sure it's empty. Been in locker rooms right in the middle of the guys locker room. With all the other sports there are sometimes kids in there. It would be inappropriate or dangerous to put a "predator" in that situation.

Furthermore, can you imagine the liability if somehting happened to a kid and they found out this person had previously been convicted? This would be an easy fix.

I know for my coaching we do this too. Not every background check is run though. They are expensive so it is done at random. I think the association runs each and every one.

Tony,

Not in our local association.

Z

The problem here is not the possibility of a sexual predator. The problem here is putting anyone in that position. Locating a male officials dressing room inside a girls' lockerroom is stupid to begin with.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not against protecting our children. But we go out of our way to do background checks in some states. Then we have schools who have male officials dress in an office that's inside a girls' lockerroom. What's wrong with this picture?

[Edited by BktBallRef on Feb 27th, 2004 at 10:31 AM]

Tony,
I believe the line of thought is that any "authority" figure may be able to disadvantage someone's kid with less effort than an *unknown*.
mick

I know OF a former official who's now in prison. Something to do with a 16 year old. I think there was some connection to basketball in the aquantaince.

I don't think that he should be permitted to officiate again.

I understand this is an ongoing charge against you.:D

I understand this is an ongoing charge against you.

[/B][/QUOTE]Nope, I won my case easily at the trial. I pleaded "insanity", and presented myself as "Exhibit A"..

I heard that it was thrown out in court because it wasn't a very credible impersonation :D

Tony,
Most schools, where I am, only have two lockerrooms. They have to use both, one for each team, for each game. The common practice is to use the girls' lockerroom for the home team and the boys lockerroom for the visitors for the Girls Varsity game and the reverse for the Boys Varsity game. No matter which coaches' office the officials are placed in, they will be near the girls of one team.

Ok, time to delete blaire576

Spam
 

Moderator? ;)

Interesting...as has been stated, we have the checks here in WA. Don't know of any sex predators being caught by it, but we did have two officials who both had previous convictions for selling drugs to kids and they were asked to not come back...just in the last few days in Oregon there has been a story of an umpire sneaking into girls locker rooms and stealing various undergarments - don't know if Oregon has the background checks, or even if the guy had a previous record for anything like this, but possible future associations he might try to umpire for should know about this...

Not in our Association.

Not in our Association??? Meaning there is nobody on the board with possible skeletons in their closet??? Or meaning there are no background checks done?

You make the CALL!!!!! LOL!!!