First, contact the Virginia State Athletic Association or whatever governing body tests and certifies sports officials for your state. (As advised previously, Athletic Directors will have this info.) Most states, for a small fee (in Pennsylvania it's $25.00), they will send you preparational materials, a current NFHS rule book and dates & locations for the exam. Once you've passed the test, you will join a Chapter or "group" of officials which there will be several in your area. Do your homework here (something I did not do)...find out which chapters have organized programs in place to train new officials. In my case, I was given a complimentary whistle, a Case Book, a schedule of games, and a "Good Luck". If it hadn't been for a veteran official stepping forward to mentor me, I'm not sure that I would have survived that first year. Anyway, that's my opinion on how to get started. You are to be commended for your interest in officiating! Always remember that you're doing a great service to those kids out there by giving them a fair and equitable opportunity to play the game. Best of luck to you as you enter this fine vocation!
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Tue Mar 14, 2000, 09:10am
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