VHSL Eligibility (New)

[IREFU2]

Well according to Virginia High School League, individuals must certify to their local association that they have never been convicted of a felony or any offense involving the sexual molestation or physical or sexual abuse or rape of a child. Of course, that isnt a problem for me, but I was wonder how they would enforce this? Any other association do this?

[Scrapper1]

Seems pretty useless to me, unless they also mandate background checks. I mean, who is going to answer "yes"? If you haven't been in trouble, you'll answer truthfully; if you have been in trouble, you'll lie. But everybody's going to deny any misconduct.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

Seems pretty useless to me, unless they also mandate background checks. I mean, who is going to answer "yes"? If you haven't been in trouble, you'll answer truthfully; if you have been in trouble, you'll lie. But everybody's going to deny any misconduct.

Come on scrapper, if they add "under penalty of perjury," I'm sure it'll make honest people out of everyone. You're such a skeptic.

[NCAAREF]

Here in NY, we must submit to a background check which includes fingerprinting, done at the officail's expense, around $100.00. We are then issued an ID card that we must present at the school we are officiating at, and in addition the ID number must be included on any voucher that we submit.

Here's the funny thing, teachers are not required to do this. And not to be funny, but since this requirement started a couple of yeras ago, there have been at least 11 teachers convicted of some sort of crimes against children just in my general area of NY, and not one official.

Go figure

[Adam]

Guess who has a more powerful union.

[M&M Guy]

In IL there is also a requirement to answer whether we have been convicted of any felony before receiving our license.

[rainmaker]

Oregon requires a background check, one per year which covers all sports. It's not as thorough as the fingerprint kind, but I guess it's good enough for whoever. I don't know if they require it for coaches!

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

In IL there is also a requirement to answer whether we have been convicted of any felony before receiving our license.

Yes, but that involves a background check where this can be verified. No background check, no legal verification. And I do not think you can just throw in a "perjury" comment that is going to make that comment a legally binding statement. A background check will verify that information (not 100% though) and if there is a conviction, then the state does not have to legalize that official.

Peace

[mbyron]

In Ohio you have to be able to sign your name on the form.

[GarthB]

In Washington State we undergo Washington State Patrol background checks every two years. For years they only checked the Washington State data banks, but now check the NCIC data bank. The result of the additional scruitiny was seen in our local baseball association. A member who had a child abuse conviction in Idaho but had been "clean" in Washington was denied membership.

Teachers, including coaches who are teachers, are fingerprinted and subjected a more rigorous background check.

However, I'm not sure if coaches who are not teachers are subjected to any background check.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by mbyron

In Ohio you have to be able to sign your name on the form.

If they had that prerequisite in Michigan, they'd have about 4 officials.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

If they had that prerequisite in Michigan, they'd have about 4 officials.

And 2 coaches.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by rainmaker

Oregon requires a background check, one per year which covers all sports. It's not as thorough as the fingerprint kind, but I guess it's good enough for whoever. I don't know if they require it for coaches!

A few days ago, I got an email from an assignor for a huge competitive kids rec league. I've worked a few games for him over the years. He said that he is going to require a background check of this sort and refs will be charged $10 to cover the cost. However, he will waive the $10 if you attend two pre-season clinics. Also, anyone who is a member of a HS association that requires this kind of a check does not have to fill out one for him.

The local league I help run does not require this (mostly because we know all the refs personally) but does require one for coaches. I think that's quite appropriate.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by rainmaker

Oregon requires a background check, one per year which covers all sports. It's not as thorough as the fingerprint kind, but I guess it's good enough for whoever. I don't know if they require it for coaches!

Actually, it's one per three years.

[rockyroad]

Originally Posted by GarthB

However, I'm not sure if coaches who are not teachers are subjected to any background check.

Yes they are...the same background check that teachers have to go through. It involves fingerprinting and everything...many of the Youth organizations require it also - I helped out coaching my youngest son's Clark County Youth Football team and was required to do the fingerprints and all - since I am a teacher I had already had it done and was able to waive it. I know my Church was required (I think it was by our Insurance carrier) to do the same background checks on anyone working with any kids - from the high school youth group down to the nursery workers.