Becoming a Basketball official

[burghardt17]

Can anyone tell me how one becomes a basketball official in the state of Michigan.

[bob jenkins]

Assuming you're in the United States, contact your state HS athletics association. Since you didn't list the state, we can't tell you the exact name.

[Drizzle]

Decent starting points: http://www.naso.org/BeOfficial/ and http://www.naso.org/BeOfficial/sport...asketball.html

That site will also take you to your local association, and that's where you will get the best information for your area. Considering most places I know of have a shortage of officials, you're local association would probably love to hear from you.

[burghardt17]

Sorry, I am in the State on Michigan, [email protected] I played basketball for most of my life and i coached for 5 season in Ohio. Now i am wanting to become an official.

Thanks

[tjones1]

Mick will probably be able to help you out. Until then, here's a link to their website:

http://www.mhsaa.com/

http://www.mhsaa.net/Officials/Regis...n/RegBegin.htm

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by burghardt17

Can anyone tell me how one becomes a basketball official?

First, ask yourself this question: "Am I a glutton for punishment"?

[burghardt17]

Actually i love the sport and would prefer to coach but I was watching T.V. and there was a commercial asking for officials. Beside I would not have a clue where to look for a coaching position here in southeast michigan. As stated before I was a head coach for a boys 7 & 8th grade teams, which we went undefeated in 4 of my 5 years coaching. I moved to Michigan and I wouldn't know where to start when looking to coach.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by burghardt17

As stated before I was a head coach for a boys 7 & 8th grade team, which we went undefeated in 4 of my 5 years coaching.

So these kids flunked four times?

[26 Year Gap]

See the abuse you are taking? And you aren't even an official yet.

[Splute]

Mark you keep me in stitches. I was reading the post from the beginning with all seriousness and then...... I read yours.... aaaaahhhhh where do you find the energy?

[26 Year Gap]

Originally Posted by Splute

Mark you keep me in stitches. I was reading the post from the beginning with all seriousness and then...... I read yours.... aaaaahhhhh where do you find the energy?

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by Splute

aaaaahhhhh where do you find the energy?

[rainmaker]

Originally Posted by burghardt17

Actually i love the sport and would perfer to coach but I was watching T.V. and there was a commercial asking for officials.

Didn't the commercial tell where to sign up to be an official!??!

[bgtg19]

Originally Posted by burghardt17

Actually i love the sport and would perfer to coach but I was watching T.V. and there was a commercial asking for officials. Beside I would not have a clue where to look for a coaching position here in southeast michigan. As stated before I was a head coach for a boys 7 & 8th grade teams, which we went undefeated in 4 of my 5 years coaching. I moved to Michigan and I wouldn't know where to start when looking to coach.

tjones1 has given you the link to the MHSAA web site, where you'll begin the process of becoming a registered official. If you have any questions, contact Mark Uhl at the MHSAA. He's a good guy and is very level-headed about issues facing both officials and schools (he used to be both an official and an athletic director).

You say that you would "prefer" to coach (actually, you said "perfer" -- maybe that's how they talk down there in Ohio... ); let me suggest that you at least think about whether you want to officiate. It's tough enough, even if your heart is in it. Just think about it.

If you decide to become an official: Welcome! You'll go "undefeated" for the rest of your career.

[bigdog5142]

I live in the Orion, MI area and you've got the info you need. However, bgtg19 gives some good advice. I have played, officiated, coached and now I'm back to officiating. Try it out...it can be A LOT of fun...but you MUST have thick skin and leave everything on the court. It IS different than playing/coaching. However, I have a BLAST doing it! I just love basketball...period.