how to become a referee (in illinois)
 

hi I am new to this forum, and I am interested in becoming a referee and could not think of anywhere to find information. hopefully someone can provide it for me here.

I live in Illinois, and basically, my 2 questions are:
1) what qualifications are required? (age,education,etc)
2) where do you start? I mean like, obviously you have to learn rules and everything, but what specifically do you have to do?

Thank you to anyone reading this, and any help you can provide!

IHSA Website Application

Where do you live? I can direct you to specific information about associations.

If you like send me a PM so we can talk more in private.

Peace

JRut...Stop misleading this poor fella. IHSA doesn't need any more refs.

There is already a shortage of games and the guys who should be working games are starting to go Tanya Harding on other guy's knees with crowbars so they can get more games...

:D

Actually wuzhannan....JRut is probably as good of a source for IHSA info and that's coming from an Indiana guy...

I also live in Illinois and am in the process of becoming an official. I asked another official I know and he directed me to the IHSA website to fill out the application and send it in. Then I also joined my local Officials Association and am currently going through the rule book and case book.

This board is a wealth of knowledge, so I'm sure you will find it as helpful as I am.

Just be sure that you do not send in your registration BEFORE they start accepting next year's. Reason being is that they may sign you up for this CURRENT year (07-08) and in a few months, send you another application and bill for NEXT year (08-09).
Welcome to the IHSA. While you are working on the app, try to find a local association and get your name in there. It always helps to find someone to become a mentor. It will make the next few years a lot easier. Go to the IHSA website for a list of associations. If nothing else, ask us.

Mike........... what area are you from?

The renewals go out in May for a July start date. And your license is not 'official' until you pass the test, not when you pay the money.

IHSA website has a listing of local associations.

Yeah, in 20 years we'll be the guys who shouldn't be working games. ;)

I am in western Illinois about an hour from Iowa. A little town called Kewanee. We are kind of between the Quad Cities and Peoria. Not much out here, unless you like cattle and corn.

True, but initial applications are non-refundable, which means if you didn't meet the requirements for the license (i.e. test, rules meeting) the money stays with the IHSA. We had one guy get burned on that once.

Man, I could really go for a corn beef sandwich right about now.

Manny's on Roosevelt in Chicago, piled high, warm rye bread, slathered in mustard.

Just good eatin'

now thats comedy!

heres a video of the corned beef being made:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBGIQ7ZuuiU

And furniture... :D

I get so used to it I almost forgot. It is our largest tourist attraction. :)

Funny I grew up in Macomb and I know many people where you live. If you do not mind me asking, what association did you join?

Peace

It is a small world. I joined the Kewanee Officials Association. I just joined about a month ago, so I haven't attended a meeting or anything yet. As I understand it, there will be a basketball clinic over the summer that I will be attending, so I am looking forward to that.

Thank you for your help, as well as everyone else who has posted. I am happy that the people on this forum are receptive and can provide me with the information I was lacking.

I live in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, in a town called Medinah (most famous for the country club Tiger owns every time we get a major).

I am interested in becoming a member of an association, and it seems there are more than 1. What association would be best fit for me, who is in the first, early stages of becoming a referee?

Thanks again to everyone who has chipped in. Good to see some Illini's in the house. :cool:

Careful though...some people that have responded to you are actually Wolverine's. :eek:

The rest of us Illini are relatively harmless.

That is what we say during the football season. :D

Peace

See what I mean?!? :eek:

Oh, and Jeff, I haven't had a chance to tell you this in a while:

Shut up.

:D

Send me a PM, I can send you some options. I belong to multiple associations and really this is based on a personal concerns or when you can attend meetings.

Peace

Quack. :D

AOA, WBOA and AOS are all in the area. Many belong to more than one association. I'd be glad to help (in addition to what Jeff gives you).

Hey, you guys have some good HS football out your way.

I was going to recommend a few associations and contacts but you''re out of my area.

There is some really good HS Football out here, although our football team didn't do too good last season. But, there is usually a pretty good game to go to in the area.