organizing officials

[JRutledge]

Originally posted by Dave Brost
In Wisconsin, we have the same setup as in Illinois. Our Associations are there mostly for recruiting new officials, and developing them. A few conferences have ties to these associations, and actually require you to be a member to get games. But mostly, as Rut said, we are independent contractors.
Rut, what association in Basketball are you about to join? I am a Master level in Wisconsin, from Janesville. I have found that some commissioners and AD's are reluctant to give games because of the mileage involved. (Schools pay about $.30 per mile for one of the two officials). Thus, I am restricted, being so close to the Illinois border, in going south. I have been pondering getting a reciprocal license for Illinois, in order to possibly increase my number of games. I am a firm believer in the associations and camps, in order to be seen and known. Would be interested in knowing what associations are available in northern Illinois. Thanks for any help.

Unfortunatly David, there are not any conferences or schools that pay by mileage that I am aware of. So if you want to do some travelling done here to do games, that will be a non factor. You would have more problems with your rating and your ability to have been seen by an assignor. It is not impossible to get games, but you might have go to a couple of camps to prove yourself if you want varsity. Or you could do some Freshman and JV games to show that you can officiate too.

How far is Janesville to the Illinois border? Because there is much basketball that you could do close to the state borders.

BTW, I almost forgot. I am thinking about joining the Metropolitian Officials Association. They are tied to the Chicago Public League. If you ever saw the show "Preps" on Fox Sports Network last year, most of the kids were in that League. Most of the Chicago Public League officials are members of the MOA, but not everyone is a member. And it is not necessarily required to do those games. It helps thought, mainly because the main assignors of the League attend those meetings.

Peace