After reading the reaction with regards to the IAABO software provided in a recent post, it appears to me that there are some individuals out there that have negative conotations to the IAABO organization. Why is this?

For me, yes I am an IAABO member, but that's because my state (Maryland) for all intent purposes is dominated by IAABO boards and if want to officiate basketball, you join an IAABO board. So for me there was no other way. Now granted the IAABO offices are located in Germantown, MD and it would seem rather odd if the state wasn't majority IAABO. There has been one break-off board recently in the Southern Maryland area which broke off of an existing IAABO board and is not IAABO, and there is also the Baltimore area girls ball done by a non-IAABO board, but other than that, IAABO controls the State of Maryland. Let me also note both Washington, DC and Northern Virginia are both IAABO areas.

For others, what is the benefit of not being IAABO or maybe you have experienced both by being IAABO and Not IAABO and can eloborate on your expeirence?

To me it doesn't matter if you are or not, I would just like to know the differences and the benefits from the differences as here in Maryland we really do not know anything else? Thanks in advance for your replies!

I'm in the opposite boat. I've never been associated with IAABo, so therefore, I don't know what the advantages are. In NC, we follow the policies, testing, and rating systems that are instituted by the NCHSAA, the same body that governs high school athletic programs in our state. We have one organization. I think that's an advantage.

On the other side, I would like to know why you guys who are IAABO or FIBA are so damn sensitive? Every time Mark Padgett cracks a joke about one of these organizations, somebody gets offended. I assume that's what you were speaking of, since that's was the only remark that I read in the other post that gave a "negative conotation." The original poster just wanted to posted his displeasure about the software he purchased but couldn't make work.

Give us break, fellas, and stop being so defensive. :(

Not Sensitve, Just Want To Know Differences?
 

Look, Mark's comments are the first I've ever heard and I just want to know what other officials experiences are who aren't IAABO.

Please, I could care less if you bash or not, it's not going to change what I do!

So Btkball Ref get off your almighty high horse and join us down here with guys who are just trying to find out what it is like in other places!

I agree with TH on this one.
 

IAABO members seem to be a bit sensitive. I have had several IAABO members get upset when people challenge their practices. I am under the impression that on the East side of this country is much more influenced by IAABO. If you live in my parts, nobody really cares about IAABO or having a membership in IAABO has little to no influence on your career or getting games of any kind. You can be a member out here, but I have never seen any benefit other than having a membership and giving extra money.

I have even had IAABO members bring up what Board I belong to, like it proves my or anyone elses ability. These guys are a bit sensitive.

Alot of us in Ga are taking a wait and see attitude like NC
we used to have are training and testing done by the state
but the state has now contracted IAABO to do the training and testing. We will see what they offer us as officials in these areas.

As Harry Caray used to say, "Holy Cowpie." Guys, it is true that I bash FEEBLE all the time, but that's because I resent some Euro-international body of brie-eating bureaucrats taking a posture that they know better how to administer and determine rules for a great American game like basketball. Those foreign organizations should stick to soccer (no - it's not football) and leave our sports to us. You may think it's presumptious of the NBA to call their playoff winning team the "World Champions", but they are the world champs of that particular game played under those particular rules.

Does this make me a jingoistic, iconoclastic "ugly American"? Guilty on both counts - I'm an American, and my first wife will vouch for the ugly part.

As to IAABO (I Am A Blind Official) - that's not a put down of the organization, it's just a joke on their acronym. I read another post a while ago on this (or some other) board about a referee giving that response to a coach who questioned his "sight" while wearing that patch and thought it was really funny. That's all. Frankly, I have no strong feelings one way or another about IAABO. I am not a member, have never been a member, but I do know guys who are and who think it's a good organization.

In my recent post, all I was doing was making a point about some software having a name that might be subject to trademark or copyright infringement. The software isn't even made by IAABO. They are only a distributor.

One of the reasons I participate on this board and no longer post to the "other" one, is because the tone on this one is of a much higher level. There are virtually no personal attacks, and everyone seems to have a decent, not mean spirited, sense of humor. I hope it stays that way. I do use humor a lot, but I try never to make it personal. I'm not directing my FEEBLE humor against refs in decent countries like Canada and Australia, but against the concept of that organization trying to tell us what's best for us in our own game. And yes - I do know that Dr. Naismith actually was Canadian.

But FEEBLE representing they know better how to play basketball than us is like Julia Child telling Betty Crocker how to bake chocolate chip cookies.

[Edited by Mark Padgett on Aug 12th, 2001 at 07:46 PM]

Re: Not Sensitve, Just Want To Know Differences?
 

See what I mean? :(

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Mark Padgett
As to IAABO (I Am A Blind Official) - that's not a put down of the organization, it's just a joke on their acronym. [QUOTE]

Exactly, yet somebody with their feelings on their sleeve takes it that "some individuals out there that have negative conotations to the IAABO organization." Personally Mark, I enjoy your humor. If we can't joke with and about ourselves and each other, who can we joke with?

Sad day.

I was in Colorado where IAABO is the sole orginization supplying officials for basketball in the state. At a state directors meeting last year, there was a discussion about leaving the organzation and it almost came to blows. There are high feelings on both sides. I do not know what happened so I am not going to say more. I just know that being that we are in Colorado and most of the organization is on the East coast, there is a feeling of alienation. We only see the National Organization during the rules clinic when Jacky Loube or someone of his stature gives us a visit. We get a newsletter and some of our training material comes from IAABO. Camps are run by local college officials, not IAABO, and we rarely see any support but we see all our dues leaving the area.

Membership in IAABO.
 

I know that this posting is somewhat late but I would like to add my two cents to this discussion.

The question is: “Why should a basketball official belong to IAABO?” And my answer is: “Why not?”

I will answer the question using my profession (which is engineering) as analogy. But first I should admit that I am a member of IAABO and a member of three of its national committees.

I have a bachelor’s degree in engineering with a double major in civil engineering (specializing in structural engineering) and mechanical engineering (specializing in engineering mechanics). I am and engineer first, a civil engineer second, and a structural engineer third because this is the area in which I practice my profession. In the engineering profession there are two types of organizations to which an engineer can belong: “professional” and “technical.” I belong to both types of engineering organizations. I belong to the National Association of Professional Engineers, this a professional association that addresses matters that affect all engineers regardless of their discipline. I also belong to the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and the Structural Engineers Association of Southern California. These are technical associations that address matters that affect engineers that practice in civil, mechanical, and structural engineering respectively. Within these three associations are smaller associations for engineers that practice in specialized areas of the discipline. Chemical, electrical, and industrial engineers also have their own technical organizations.

Do all engineers belong to these organizations? No. Why do engineers belong to them? There are many reasons. The most common reason is the educational information that one can derive from the organizations’ publications and research. The second reason is probably networking; the is no profession that is not immune to politics. Some engineers go further and just holding membership for the two aforementioned reasons. These engineers take a very active role in the activities of the organizations to which they belong. Not all engineers have to desire to do this and it is not necessary to stay a member in good standing.

How does this relate to basketball officiating in particular and sports officiating in general? The answer is very simple: the same reasons engineers belong to professional and technical organizations apply to basketball officials and all sports officials.

All sports officials should belong to the three professional organizations here in the United States: NASO, NFHS, and Officiating.com. One does not have to take an active role in the activities of these organization, but the education value of membership in these organizations is priceless. As far as belonging to IAABO, the first question that I hear from officials who are not members and live in non-IAABO states is: Will it get me more games? If that is the only reason you want to belong to IAABO, then maybe you should consider retiring from officiating basketball.

IAABO is a technical organization for basketball officials. Not only do I belong to IAABO, I also belong to four other local basketball officials associations. All for of these LOA’s are OhioHSAA sanctioned and their primary purpose is educational. How active am I in these LOA’s? Fair question.

I have been a member of the LOA in my home town for 31 years and have not attended a meeting in over 15 years, I maintain membership for sentimental reasons. I am a member of one of the two IAABO Board’s in Ohio even though I do not belong in its geographical area because I now many members and where I live there is no IAABO Board. The other two LOA’s I belong to are in my geographical area; one I am very active in as rules interpreter and officiating instructor, and the other one I am a member just to be a member in it.

IAABO conducts the best teaching camps in the United States and works very closely with the NFHS in the education of basketball officials. Yes, in some parts of the United States and Canada, one must be a member of IAABO to be assigned games, but this is no different that being registered with one’s high school athletic association, but the primary focus of IAABO is the education and training of basketball officials. IAABO is the largest basketball officials association in the world and its educational materials are second to none. Membership will not get you more games but the educational value of belonging to IAABO is worth the membership dues. I hope that everyone who is not a member of IAABO would check out its website: http://www.IAABO.org, and try membership in the organization for a year or two.

For all of you who have had the patience to slog through my muses I thank you and hope that you have a good weekend.

IAABO in Ga.
 

IAABO actually did the state clinics in Ga. last year. This is what was suppose to be the new training and improved training in Ga. Didn't work that way, throughout the day most of the clinicians kept using the phrase " I haven't done HS games in awhile, I am use to the college mechanics" or "can't remember how they do it in HS", "not sure what the HS rule is". I aspire to do college ball and I can tell you this if I am ever going to teach a HS mechanic and rules class I will be sure to know what I am talking about. VERY disapointed in the intructions and my time that was given to this day of training. A true waste of time. So if this is what IAABO brings, forget about it.

Self, I am sorry that you had a disappointing experience with IAABO. I suggest that you contact Ray McClure in Georgia, and Jackie Loube at IAABO Headquarters in Germantown, Maryland.

I know that Ray would be very interested in hearing from you before IAABO has its Fall Rules Interpreters Conference. I do not wish to put words in Ray's mouth but I can assure you that he will take steps to make sure that something like that does not happen again. Ray is IAABO's point man in Georgia and is a very serious about H.S. mechanics, not college mechanics, being used in H.S. games.

Since I cannot email you directly through the Forum please feel free to contact me via email through the Forum.

That is all fine and dandy but...........
 

living here in Illinois, IAABO means nothing in the bigger picture. We are already licenced with the NF if we have a state Illinois High School Association membership. I agree with belonging to NASO or Officiating.com if you choose, but IAABO is not for everyone. Not because it is not a good organization, because it means little to many. There are IAABO members, but they do very little to the overall picture in basketball officiating in the area I live. And where I used to live, it meant absolutely nothing to be a member. Now, I am under the impression that IAABO is very strong in the Eastern part of the country, but in the Midwest or the Chicago area, it means little or nothing. I personally do not know members that they think being a member is much more benificial than being apart of a local association. As a matter of fact, many college officials that I know, have no affiliation with IAABO. So maybe IAABO is strong in many areas, but in my area, I really do not see the point.

Peace

Back East . . .
 

I don't know about other states, but in Connecticut, all high school officiating assignments (with a few exceptions - mainly the prep schools) are done through local IAABO boards (I think there are 6 in the state). Bottom line, if you're an official in Conn., you're also a "blind official."

It appears that JRutledge missed the point of my posting. Belonging to IAABO is not about getting games. It is just like any technical organization in anyother profession. It exists so that officials can become better officials. Not all civil engineers belong to the ASCE and not all medical doctors belong to the AMA but the vast majority do because they benefit in many intangible and tangible ways. Remember, IAABO is primary purpose to the education and training of basketball officials and not to assign games.

Yes, IAABO is strong the the Northeast and it does assign games and you must belong to IAABO to get assigned games, but that is no different than being registered by your state high school athletic association to be able to officiate in your state.

Belonging to IAABO in the Northeast is not unlike belonging to the Southern California Basketball Officials Assn. in the Los Angeles area. The CIF does not register officials, and you have to belong to the SCBOA to be able to officate in California.

I think that I have spoke enough. Check out the IAABO website: http://www.IAABO.org, and join it for a year. The worst that can happen is that you will get a tax deduction for the year.

I have to disagree with you Mark. There's absolutely nothing in Rut's post "about getting games." Perhaps you should read it again. I believe he's just trying to say that there's no IAABO presence in his area. In fact, he said it several times. :)

All kidding aside, it's no different in my area. The IAABO means absolutley nothing here. There is one assigner who books games at some of the local military installations. He bids on the leagues on a contract basis. He requires his officials to join the IAABO before he will book them. But he's also notorious for sending poorly trained officials to work adult games. He's also notorious for skimming a lot of the game fee money off the top. This guy isn't interested in training. He's just trying to make a buck and he's using the IAABO name to do it. People like that give the IAABO a bad name, when they are the only presence in the area.

IAABO? If not, why not? if you are, why?
 

I am the one who started the post in regards to Ecourt. First this is not a IAABO product, they are endorsing, and all purchases go through them via there website. Second I have been a IAABO official since 1990, and in all honestly I like the joke (I AM A BLIND OFFICIAL)about IAABO.I am also one of those officials that only know about IAABO. It dosen't bother me what other organizations officials from other states belong to.I have attended camps in states where the officials tell me how they can only work games that are assigned by there governing bodies(whoever that may be)and regardless of what governing body a official may belong to that is not how it works here in New York. Now what shocks me is a official in some states can't call a recreation league game without getting in trouble, if that game has not been assigned by there board. To sum it up, I don't think there is any difference in calling a game based on what governing body you belong to.You can get caught up in that stuff if you like, myself I just Love2Ref!

TH is correct, I am not at all talking about getting games. As a matter of fact, you do not have to belong to any organization to get game at all. If you are going to do HS games, you are required by the state to have a license to do HS level games. You do not even have to belong any organization other than the IHSA. In my state, you are on your own as to getting games. And because IAABO is really does not have influence here, being a member of IAABO here does nothing for you. There are no meetings that I am aware of. There are no camps run by that organization, and there are no assignors directly involved in that organization.

I can get training from NASO and my local associations better than IAABO can give me training where I live.

Mark wrote: "Yes, IAABO is strong the the Northeast and it does assign games and you must belong to IAABO to get assigned games, but that is no different than being registered by your state high school athletic association to be able to officiate in your state."

I think for officials in "non-IAABO" areas of the country, it may indeed be different b/c they'd be paying an extra fee (for IAABO membership) for little or no tangible return. I see Mark's point that it is sometimes beneficial to join a professional organization, even if there are no direct benefits. But I can also see Rut's side of the argument. If IAABO has no presence in one's area, has no training in that area, and all you get is a Sportorial every other month, then why pay the dues? Just to say "I'm IAABO"? To Rut (perhaps) joining IAABO would be like me joining FIBA.

I live in western MA, so I am an IAABO member. I am fortunate to have the best interpreter in the state, if not all of New England, on my board. His training comes from IAABO, so I get very concrete and positive benefits from being a member. (Not to mention all of my high school game assignments.)

Anyway, that's just my two cents. I am very glad to be an IAABO member. But I can understand that there are those who might not think it worth their while.

Chuck

I think the midwest is sort of an deadzone for IAABO. I cannot think of any reason here in OH to join. There was no need in IN to join. I think if it affects when or where you work, then join. If not, why drop the jack?

The only good thing I have heard about IAABO from the east coast transplants are the exams they put out. I guess they are a better test of ones rules knowledge than the fed disaster they put out every year, never seen one though.

IAABO? If not, why not? If you are, why?
 

The only joke about the IAABO exam is they ask each member to take a refresher(take home) exam each year.And the answers to the exam are made available on there website before the date the exam is due to be mailed in.They should let each member take the exam on line.

I would hope that everybody would go back and read my post of Aug. 18th. IAABO has nothing to do where you live. It is a technical organiztion dedicated to the education and training of basketball officials. To use the excuse that IAABO does not have a presence where I live is just that an excuse, not a reason.

I do not live in Los Angeles anymore but I still belong to the Structural Enigneers Association of Southern California.
The SEAOSC is a member of the Structural Engineers Association of California. SEAOC is the largest technical organization of its type. There is no such organization in my neck of the woods, but as a structural engineer I benefit greatly from the research that it does and the technical articles that it publishes. Are the professional and technical enigneering organizations perfect? No. Do I agree with everything that they do or the stances that they take? No. But that is no reason for me not to belong to these organizations.

IAABO is not a perfect organization, nor are some of the local officials associations that I belong to in the four sports that I officiate. But as I have said in the past, you do not have to have an IAABO Board in your area to belong to it. Check out its website and join for a year; try it you might like it. If you do not want to spend the money because there is no local membership then maybe you are in the wrong avocation; I know that we all fill out Schedule C's but the amount of money that we make is not the primary reason that we officiate. IAABO is a national and international organization and it strives to serve all basketball officials.

Mark - I think you may gain a tangible benefit from them because you are on some IAABO boards, but other than the educational materials (newsletter??)what will you gain from them if there are no meetings in your area? My guess is not much. Schedule C or not, I am not in the practice of spending money on stuff I do not see a good return on. I think "will it get me more games" is a fair question. It has nothing to do with cash, but the main reason we ref. Why do we ref? To work as many games a possible. Joining an organization should have a ROI of at least gaining knowledge, experience, and more games. If all I want out of an organization is a regular publication, I get that "other" magazine on the market. When I ask transplants what IAABO does for them now, the usual answer "is not much, I just wanted to keep my membership in case I move back". This was the same thing I did with my old association. I remained a member for a few years and when it was obvious I was not going back any time soon I quit.
I was not getting any benefit out of being a member. If you are a member of 4 associations but you participate minimally in all 4, I would ask is it worth it? I would rather devote 100% of my energy to one association that split that over multiple ones. You can say you belong to all of them, but do you grow spreading yourself around?

As far as being a member of a "respected" organization, I doubt half the coaches or officials in non IAABO states know what it is, what they do, or even care. So, being a member of an organization that pulls no local weight benefits one how?? Again educational materials is not a good enough reason. I also find it hard to believe they are the largest basketball officials association ( I never heard of the group until 3-4 years ago). I know some states make it mandatory, it is their version of the OHSAA, so maybe that is possible. But, I would love to ask all those who have no choice if they would still join if they did have the choice.

Does being an engineer for so many different groups meant that you can drive both passenger and freight trains?

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.

Not on "Thomas the Tank Engine."

That's an awful high horse you're sitting on Mr. DeNucci. A dissappointing attitude to say the least. Your posts have always been very informative and accurate with regards top the rules. You obviously know the game. But I see know reason for you to criticize others, just because they don't belong to an organization that you hold dear.

Personally, I have no desire to belong to the IAABO. That's not an excuse, it a reason. Unless it would be required of me or would benefit me, why should? Can the IAABO provide me with something that I don't already have? Will I be able to enjoy the comraderie that comes with meeting other IAABO members? Are there clinics in my area, where we can meet and discuss basketball officiating? I wouldn't even know about this organization, had I not learned of it through discussion boards such as this.

If I should belong to this organization just because it exists, then why shouldn't you join the NCHSAA?

I did not imply that every basketball official should join IAABO. But I have basketball officiating friends from all over the country and the almost without exception, the reason that is given for not joining IAABO is that if it doesn't get me more games I am not going to waste my time and money.

I would hope that basketball officials would join IAABO because it is much more that a booking agent in some areas of the country. As I have said before IAABO's primary mission is the education and training of basketball official and it works hand-in-hand with the NFHS to achieve this goal.

Forgive me but that sounds like an implication to me.

Personally, I don't need more games. I accept what I get and I'm thankful for them. But what's wrong with wanting more games? What's wrong with making use of the tools that an organization has to offer to help one improve and improve their schedule? What's wrong with wanting to be the best you can be and working the best games you can get?

IMHO, the answers are nothing, nothing and nothing.

Best of luck to you!

Not so fast my friend (you can tell it is Football season)
 

Mark, I love the fact that you love your organization. I am with TH on this. I have more than enough games. I already belong to 3 officials associations that are not required by my state. In my state belonging to those organization are encouraged, but it is not a necessary to officiate games in the area. Hell, I do not belong to any associations that give me any games in the first place. I did that because I wanted to get better and attended camps and busted my AZZ to show the right people that I could officiate.

I am sure that IAABO is a good organization, but with very little to no presence in this area or the area I came from, I really do not see the point. I am so glad that they have education and training, but you would have to show me how they have more training and education that I already get from being a member of the current organizations that I belong to. And in my opinion, this board and the publications that I get from NASO is more than enough for me right now. I am not trying to put down IAABO, but I am saying that they are nothing special where I am from. I do belong to an association that I can choose to by a membership into IAABO, but not very many officials are very active in that organization. And I have never heard an official that says, "if you are not in IAABO, the assignors or associations are looking down on you as a result."

Good for you that you are proud of IAABO. Maybe for you IAABO is a valuable resource, but that does not apply to all of us.

Peace

I still fail to see why wanting to work more games makes one a bad person. If you do not want to work as many games as possible, that is your choice, I respect that. On the same note, I would hope people would respect those that want to work as many games as possible, and use the tools at their disposal to do so. One common tool is local associations. I do not see where it is an issue for someone to use the association to get as many games as they can. I feel this is why most of us ref, to work games.

I know guys that only do one to two games a week to keep in shape, and I know addicts that do it 7 days a week for most of the year. I would never tell or suggest someone should hang up the whistle, unless they were in it just for money. You do it for thr love of the game, and that love varies, but wanting to work games is not a bad thing. It still shows the fire burns.

Brian,

I am one of the addicts I guess. Since I live on the Ohio/Michigan state line I am registered in both Ohio and Michigan. That means my 2001-02 season starts in less that two weeks because Michigan plays its girls' H.S. season in the Fall, and I work every level from jr. H.S. thru varsity.

Then comes the normal season for boys' in Michigan and boys' and girls' in Ohio, and once again i will officiate every level from jr. H.S. thru varsity as well as mens' and womens' college jr. varsity. I will also officiate CYO on Sunday afternoon.

When Spring comes I will officiate in the Ohio Special Olympics State Tournament and a AAU type tournament just about every weekend. When June comes it will be summer leagues just about every night. And when July comes I will go to Florida for the YBOA Boys' and Girls' National Tournaments.

And when the end of next August comes the cycle will start all over again.

And I also forgot to add the time I spend teaching an OhioHSAA certified basketball officiating course, attending local meetings as a rules interpreter, and attending IAABO national meetings.

Yes, you could say that I officate a lot of games because I love to officiate basketball. I am and addict and I admit.

Oh, my!
 

Mark,
Belonging to three officials associations in Michigan, and with all those hoops games, how do you have time for Soccer and Softball?
Udaman! ;)
mick

Getting game?
 

Brian you are missing the point. I do not think anyone has said that getting more games is wrong. All I said and that I read anyone else say was that IAABO or belonging to IAABO is not going to further the number of games that anyone gets. At least in my area that is the case. As I stated before, belonging to any organization does not get you games around here. And belong to IAABO hardly does anything for education or training in my area, let alone not seeing any games from that organization. Most of the assignors that I work with, association or organization affiliations almost have nothing to do with them handing out games.

So if you want to work 8 days a week (Beetles reference), that is your choice. But speaking for myself, I have more than enough games. And because I have more than enough games, joining IAABO really has no purpose to me. I already get education and training from the organizations that I belong. So why would I or anyone else join a group that does not affect our areas.

I think this depends on the area you live and the influence IAABO might have in your territory.

Peace

Jeff, I believe Brian was directing his post to Mark, not you. Mark had made several comments to the effect that if you're in this avocation to get a lot of games, then you were in it for the wrong reasons. I believe he was implying that the only reason to want more games, is to make more money. Brian was just pointing out that many of us just love to work for the love of the game.

Iaabo
 

I'mmmm Baaack ready for a new season. Re IAABO.
I joined IAABO in 1963 and retained my membership until about 1988 when in my area it didnt seem like it was of any further use as we in BC were so FIBA oriented. However we have finally seen the light and have reverted back to the REAL game! In my opinion IAABO is the greatest official's organization in the world. The support they showed us in Canada was better than any Org. I have ever belonged to. Their clinitians were the greatest and I was personally trained By DR. Phil Fox and Norman Van Arsdalen 2 of the worlds best!
Since most organizations in Canada are now reverting back to the real game we should all think of joining IAABO again and forget the rest. That's my opinion.
Pistol
PS I'm probably inviting some "heat" on this one but so be it!

Yes, my comments were in reply to Mark's take that officials who join associations to get games is bad.

I think he assumes if your looking for games you just want $$$, while I think it might be because you really want to work. Me, I would rather work games than sit around the house so I try to do as many as possible.

Which is why I still do rec league games. There are a lot of officials who won't work them but these kids desire a chance to play too.

I certainly don't work them for the money.

Oooooooh I liked this one. Especially the last part!
Really Mark, I liked your analogy. But in my opinion you committed 2 sins.
1. Never try to teach a pig to sing as it's a waste of time and it only annoys the pig.
2. Keep It Simple Stupid! KISS
Some engineers try to teach multiplication using principles of physics instead of principles of addition.
Lets try it this way..
All hand/power tools, ideas, and organizations (of any kind) are of value. Maybe not today..... But...
I have this common screwdriver.... But dang if all the screws I'm using at the moment are the Phillip's type. Guess I don't need this common screwdriver after all so I'm going to take it from my tool box and throw it in the trash.
(Of course with the flow this thread has taken someone would probably think I have a screw loose.)
I don't belong to the IAABO... But I personally can see the value of having the IAABO in my tool box. There's no doubt in my mind that I could learn something from the IAABO and become better official.
Keep on a preachin it, Mark!

Remote Benefits?
 

I'd like some of the IAABO members to return to speak about the benefits of belonging without regard for local activities.

While I could drive to the nearest IAABO, it would be more effort than I really have time. We do not have an IAABO association where I work. We have other clinics and camps available for training (and some are required).

So, ignoring the difficulty of joining remotely, what are the remote benefits? Are there regular publications that help more/better than Referee and this discussion board? What can they offer to officials not physically connected with an IAABO group? (And thanks!)

Every year, IAABO would send its members a mechanics manual combined with the rulebook. That bible, so to speak, is a very useful text, especially because it has pre-game outlines for both a 2 and 3 person crew in there. I don't know if this year's IAABO manual will include the NFHS rules, but I have found it to be very useful in the past. While the main manual describes opposite the table switching (that is the standard IAABO practice), there are also appendices to both the 2-person and 3-person sections that include table-side switches, for those states where you go table-side after reporting.

Unprofessional ...
 

I'm not sure why ilyazhito resurrected a twenty-one year old thread, but I'll play along.

According to our local board secretary/treasurer, no rulebook and no casebook will be included with the IAABO International mechanics manual this coming (2022-23) year (for the past forty-plus years we have always received a combined IAABO mechanics manual, NFHS rulebook, and NFHS casebook, comes with our annual IAABO International dues).

IAABO International is doing this as a cost saving measure.

I am very disappointed in IAABO, finding this decision to be incompatible with the IAABO goal of "education".

Here in Connecticut (100% IAABO state), basketball officials (not other sports) do not belong to the NFHS, thus we do not "automatically" get current rulebooks and current casebooks from the NFHS.

Starting this coming season, my local board will only provide current NFHS rulebooks and current NFHS casebooks to new (rookie) members, and to trainers (interpreters).

The rest to us will have the option to purchase current rulebooks and current casebooks directly from the NFHS, if we so desire (it's not mandatory).

That means that many high school basketball officials in my local board (not sure about the other five Connecticut local basketball boards) may not be carrying a current rulebook or a current casebook in their equipment bag.

I find that to be both incomprehensible and unprofessional.

$8.00 ...
 

I just checked. Last year IAABO International dues were $38 per member, this coming year IAABO International dues will decrease to $30 per member.

Prices aren't available on the NFHS website until August 1, 2022, but I bet that I will spend more than $8 for a 2022-23 NFHS Rulebook, a 2022-23 NFHS casebook, and postage.

Just curious. If a basketball official in an IAABO state pays dues to their local chapter in order to belong and be assigned games, do they pay any other dues? Like state dues.

The ebooks cost about $7 each. I order electronic rulebooks for basketball, football, volleyball, and soccer.

Bcopas, a portion of the dues to one's local board go up the ladder to the state association and state board, if applicable. Board 12 dues, before Dragonfly came into the picture, would also include MPSSAA dues (formerly $34 per sport; now $40 for the first sport and $20 for each extra sport).

Dues ...
 

I can only speak about my local IAABO board here in my little corner of 100% IAABO Connecticut. There are five other local IAABO boards in Connecticut.

Our annual local IAABO dues are $125 per member.

Of that $125, $30 goes toward our IAABO International annual dues, $5 goes toward our Connecticut State IAABO Board annual dues, and $13 goes toward our CIAC (state interscholastic sports governing body) annual dues.

In addition to our $125 per member local IAABO board annual dues, we also pay an annual assignment fee of 7% of our individual cumulative game fees for the season to our local IAABO board. Our local IAABO board assignment commissioner (that we hire on a year to year contract) gets approximately 5% of that 7%, the remaining 2% of that 7% goes to our local board.

Note that all of these figures were budgeted for; they may have changed since the spring.

Update of my Comment #9 on Aug. 18/Sat.(02:00pmEDT), 2001.
 

My comment below is an updated version of my Comment #9 in this thread on Aug. 18/Sat.(02:00pmEDT), 2001.

The question is: “Why should a Basketball Official belong to IAABO?” And my answer is: "Why not?”

I will answer the question using my profession (which is Engineering) as analogy. But first I should admit that I am a member of IAABO and a member of three of its national committees.

I have a Bachelor of Engineering a Major in Civil engineering (Concentrations: Structural Engineering, Highway Engineering, and Environmental Engineering) and Minors in Mechanical Engineering (Specialization: Engineering Mechanics) and Mathematics (Specialization: Scientific and Engineering Applications).

Firstly: I am an Engineer (by virtue that Youngstown (Ohio) State University's William Rayen School of Engineering is "old school" in that one is an Engineer, first, and an Engineer in a particular discipline, second; therefore, secondly: I am a Civil Engineer; and thirdly: I am a Structural Engineer which is the specialized sub-area in which I practice my Engineering profession.

In the Engineering profession there are two types of organizations to which an Engineer can belong: “Professional” and “Technical". I belong to both types of Engineering organizations.

I belong to two Professional associations: The National Association of Professional Engineers which is a Professional association that addresses ethical/professional, educational, research/technical, legal, and legislative/political matters that affect all Engineers regardless of their discipline. And I also belong to the Order of the Engineer (The U.S. version of the Canadian "Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer".).

I belong to three Technical associations: The American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and the Structural Engineers Association of Southern California/Association of California. These are Technical associations
that address ethical/professional, educational, research/technical, legal, and legislative/political matters that affect Engineers that practice in Civil, Mechanical, and Structural Engineering respectively.

Do all Engineers belong to these organizations? No. Why do Engineers belong to them? There are many reasons. The most common reason is the educational information that one can derive from the organizations' publications and research. The second reason is probably networking because there is no profession that is not immune to politics. Some Engineers go further then just holding membership for the two aforementioned reasons. These Engineers take a very active role in the activities of the organizations to which they belong. Not all Engineers have to desire to do this and it is not necessary to stay a member in good standing, nor is membership in any Engineering organization mandatory or required.

How does Engineering relate to Basketball Officiating, in particular, and Sports Officiating in general? The answer is very simple: The same reasons Engineers belong to Professional and Technical organizations apply to Basketball Officials, particular, and Sports Officials, general.

All Sports Officials should belong to the Professional organizations for the Officials of Amateur Sports here in the United States: NASO and NFHS Officials Assn. (NFIOA). One does not have to take an active role in the activities of these organization, but the education value of membership in these organizations is priceless. I would hope that Sports Officials belong to NASO and NFIOA for the same reason that I belong to NSPE, if for nothing more that the educational benefits. Of course both organizations also have insurance programs for its members and represents it members as well as the officiating profession in a variety of other ways. Both NASO and NFIOA have both liability and secondary medical insurance coverage at no extra cost to it members which is worth its price in gold.

IAABO is a technical organization for Basketball Officials. Yes, I belong to IAABO and I am past member of three of it National Committees and have been a staffer at their Summer Camps. I also belong to three Local (Basketball) Officials Associations (LOA). All of these LOAs are OhioHSAA sanctioned and their primary purpose is educational. I also am a member of the Ohio Assn. of Bkb. Off. (a state wide association made up mostly of college Basketball Officials.) How active am I in these LOAs? That is a fair question.

I have been a member of the LOA (Trumbull Co. Bkb. Off. Assn., Warren, Ohio) in my home town (Liberty Township, Trumbull County) since the 1971-72 school year but have not attended a meeting since 1986; I maintain membership for sentimental reasons. The gentleman who was my H.S. Basketball Coach and my sister's and my H.S. Golf Coach was a founding member of it in 1948-49. The other two LOA’s I belong to are in my geographical area. Wood Co. Bkb. Off. Assn. (Bowling Green, Ohio) and the NW Ohio Dist. Bkb. Off. Assn. (Toledo, Ohio). I was the WCBOA's Rules Interpreter and Instructional Chairman from 1990-91 to 1999-2000.

As far as belonging to IAABO, the first question that I hear from officials who are not members and live in non-IAABO states is: "Will it get me more games?" No! It will not get an official more games. Rather, I would hope that Basketball Officials would join for at least the educational and insurance benefits that is members enjoy.

IAABO, in my humble opinion since the demise of Phil Bova's Camp, conducts the best teaching camps in the United States and works very closely with the NFHS in the education of basketball officials. Yes, in some parts of the United States and Canada, one must be a member of IAABO to be assigned games, but this is no different than being registered with one’s StateHSAA, but the primary focus of IAABO is the education and training of basketball officials. IAABO is the largest basketball officials association in the world and its educational materials are second to none. Membership will not get one more games but the educational value of belonging to IAABO is worth the membership dues. I hope that everyone who is not a member of IAABO would check out its website: http://www.IAABO.org, and try membership in the organization for a year or two.

For all of you who have had the patience to slog through my muses I thank you and hope that you all are having a great Summer.

MTD, Sr.

$32.78 ???
 

Print books (2021-22) were $10.00 each, plus $12.78 shipping (for both books).

You can be damn well sure that I will include this as a business expense on my taxes.