HS Associations - Training Programs
 

I have been moving around a lot the last few years and every time I enter a new association I have a new set of rules to follow in order to gain varisty status. It doesn't bother me but it got me to thinking.

My question(s) for you:
What was the process for you when you joined your association?
Was there classroom time, if so how many years?
Were you assigned a mentor?
What did you have to score on the NFHS test?
Was there an evaluation process, if so what had to take place?
Any other requirements?

I realize there are a lot of questions, but your answers would be appreciated.

Thanks
Andy

Fill out the paper work and pay dues (if they asked for it. Some associations did not require dues to be paid the first year)

No.

No.
Only the state requires this. And it was 80%.

No.

Not from the local associations. There were more from the state association, but I am not 100% sure which you are referring to.

Peace

Was there classroom time, if so how many years?
No, there was a training process, but that started a few years after my first year.

Were you assigned a mentor?
No, I wasn't assigned a mentor. Going into my first few years even up to now, my 7th year, I have had good friends who have become my mentors and have helped me out greatly.

What did you have to score on the NFHS test?
The standard in the state where I am at is 75 percent, I don't know if that is standard all across the country that uses FED rules.

Was there an evaluation process, if so what had to take place?
Yes, there were evaluations but they took place at the end of the season. As things have begin change for the better evaluations have become more and more part of the daily activities at games.

Any other requirements?
Nope

I hope this helps with what you are looking for. Each area of the country is different on how they train officials with technique and verbage, that is not in the case/rule book, but some things are still standard such as evaluation, rule knowledge, signals and of course being able to call the game!

Peace!

My $.02
 

Pay dues, go to the initial meeting, go to state mandated meeting, take the exam, register in Arbiter, do scrimmages and get evals, wait for assignments.
Unfortunately, we had very few classroom sessions initially. However, we had/have a great many on-court sessions. We're supposed to have more classroom time this yr. Jury is out on that one.....
I don't believe in "assigning" mentors. After many yrs in the military, I believe a mentor is someone YOU choose because of their knowledge, demeanor, experience, etc., and someone you can talk to and get along with as a friend, confident. It is someone of YOUR choosing. I don't know that I'd want someone assigning me to someone I may not get along with, we have very little else in common, who is not a good teacher, listener, personable, etc.
I believe we need an 80% here.
We are evaluated during pre-season scrimmages by our training committee and they decide on what level we're assigned. IMO, it's been pretty fare. Pre-game, in game management, rules, appearance, communications, etc.
Be available when needed, jump at all opportunities, listen and learn, gain experience, hustle and do your best.

Sorry, Pal

In spite of all your dutiful efforts, I still see a steady diet of girl's 5th grade games for you, mostly in faraway Fauquier county.

:eek::eek:Guess those morals charges from that cheerleader last year are coming back to haunt you.:D:D:D

That's My Coach!
 

As always, thanks for your support and vote of confidence.

PS - you're just a sayin all that cause ya knows me! :p

Didn't want to really spoil your day and let on that I'll be riding with you!!

Training In Our Little Corner Of Connecticut ...
 

Those interested in joining our local IAABO Board attend several meetings on written rules. Those that pass the written rules test then attend several meetings on mechanics, after which they are given a floor exam. If they pass the floor exam they are considered probationary members and are assigned middle school, and junior varsity, games.

After that initial probationary season these officials then become full members. They can then take advantage of optional "Bread and Butter" meetings where our best officials teach them how to become better officials. We have also started a voluntary mentor program.

Officials in their first three years are considered "subvarsity" officials and can only work subvarsity games. During these three years they are rated by subvarsity, and varsity, officials who work with them, or see them work, and are ranked according to these ratings, as well as getting "points" for the refresher exam, meeting attendance, and availability to work games. Rankings determine the number of games, and quality of games, assigned by our commissioner.

After three years as a "subvarsity" official, those "subvarsity" officials who are ranked high enough can move up to a "split" ranking and are eligible to work both subvarsity, and varsity, games. The number and quality of subvarsity, and varsity, games assigned is based on their ranking.

After three years as a "split" official, those "split" officials who are ranked high enough can move up to a "full varsity" ranking and are eligible to work all varsity games. The number and quality of varsity games assigned is based on their ranking.

Not only can officials move up the ladder based on their peer ratings, and ranking, but they can move down the ladder as well.

I have a question for you Billy about IAABO. We have an IAABO chapter in our area that we can join. But because IAABO has no significance in our area most people never join or have a reason to join. Here is the actual question for you.

If I were not for some reason move to an IAABO state or area where being a member was required and I have not previously had membership in IAABO. Would I start at the sub-varsity level automatically or would I have the opportunity to work some varsity as I have over 10 years at that level. Or would I be given some sort of consideration if I was an IAABO member even though that organization does no assigning or has any say in what levels I work? How would I be able to share my experience as a varsity official if I am a member if no one in that Chapter seems to know for sure what I have worked other than what I would tell them on some level?

For the record this is a serious question, but I am not in a position to move at all. Just wondering what you do with guys like me that might have even worked the highest of levels but did not do it in your structure?

Peace

Billy,
Am I following the math correctly?
1 yr. Probationary
3 yrs. (minimum) Subvarsity
3 yrs. (minimum) Split

Then, assuming all other criteria have been met successfully, promotion to Varsity which would be the start of the official's 8th year with your board.

No Blind Jokes Please ...
 

I not really sure about my answer, but I'll give it a shot. If you're going from one IAABO board to another IAABO board, then I'm sure that some type of communication would take place between the leadership of both boards and you would be assigned pretty close to what you were used to. Worst case scenario, you would be assigned both subvarsity, and varsity, games. If, on the other hand, you were moving from a non-IAABO chapter to an IAABO chapter, then you would probably start at the bottom of the ladder.

Connecticut is a 100% IAABO state, and each local board has their own "IAABO assigner".

I can't speak for, or against, non-IAABO organizations, but I do know that the main emphasis of IAABO is to educate officials. We take that very seriously, on the local level, the state level, and the national, and the international, level. I believe that we are very good at in our goal of educating, and improving, officials. That alone, may be a good reason to join an IAABO board. Assigning games takes a back seat to improving officials in IAABO.

Chutes and Ladders ...
 

Promotion to "Full" varsity, that is, 100% varsity assignments, if you were rated, and ranked, high enough, would occur in the eighth year. Also, based on ratings, and rankings, you could see some varsity assignments as a "Split" official, in the fourth year.

On the other hand, if you're ratings, and ranking, were low enough, you could be a lifelong subvarsity official.

Not to knock IAABO but I think my state has some of the best training in the country when you consider the openness to camps and video training. Not to say that IAABO does not do a good job. I have seen their literature and it is good. But I think the grass roots stuff we do is also very good. And for someone like me to join would mean I would have to spend money to join something I already get here or to something that is not going to benefit me any more than what we do. Also our mechanics are a little different and we do not subscribe to many things IAABO does mechanically. Assigning at this point would be the only real benefit at this moment. I could not use any of your interpreters or materials here because of those differences.

Peace

Camp Town Racetrack Five Miles Long ...
 

No local camp in our little corner of Connecticut this season due to inability to find a summer league, or player's camp, that we could work with.

Odd ???
 

Agree. Here in Connecticut we use NFHS rules and IAABO mechanics. I don't know why we switched from NFHS mechanics to IAABO mechanics a few years ago? What was wrong with NFHS mechanics?

As someone who has recently switched from an IAABO board to another IAABO board, here has been my experience:

First, for some background---

At my first board: Rules classes, a (passing) rules test and some on court training occurs before the season. Provided that a 1st year official does those correctly, they will be assigned junior high and (some) jv games that year.

Unlike Billy's board, that official remains "probationary" until they are advanced. It is a minimum of two years of classes and training until advanced out of probationary status, but can take longer, depending on ratings and feedback by the training committee.

Following advancing out of probationary status, the official can become an "Associate" member of an "Active" member. The difference between associate and active is, generally speaking, associates get a JV heavy schedule while active officials usually are assigned a more varsity heavy schedule.

This board handled transfers quite simply (and logically). I'll give you the example of an official with 20+ years experience. He was in the same classes that I was, and after seeing him work a few practices and games, the training committee realized he shouldn't still be a probationary official. From that point forward, this guy was assigned primarily JV games. The following season, he was advanced directly to "Active" and received a good schedule of games, with a fair JV vs. varsity split.

When I left this board, I was a "very young" active official. I had my IAABO secretary forward my information to my new board.

At my new board, since it is a more metropolitan area, there are many more officials, fewer scholastic games (in comparison), but many more rec games and other lower leagues. IAABO does not do the assigning for these leagues, but being a member of IAABO is a requirement to work games (in most leagues).

The training is "training only" for the first year, meaning that officials in training will get to work scrimmages and rec games only. Following that, officials would need probably 2-3 years of good ratings in order to work up to varsity.

For scholastic games, the primary criterion to decide what level games are worked is, unfortunately, coaches' rankings. After all of the criteria are given to the school districts collectively, the games are assigned via a computer. Only X number of officials are varsity officials, and they work only varsity games. The remainder of the officials fight to get to the varsity level and are assigned the remaining games. When I came in, I came in as a sub-varsity official (which I feel is fair) and I don't know what my standing will be next year. I also don't know how officials with higher levels of experience are handled when they transfer to this board.

We have so many basketball camps or leagues it is hard to figure out where to go. We have a problem with staffing the ones we have available.

I know why we stopped using their mechanics. We did not like the lack of updates that reflected mechanics problems. Also there was not enough descriptions of things that take place during the game. So we developed our own.

Peace

I officiate in New Jersey (an IAABO state) and Pennsylvania (non IAABO).

New Jersey
Prospective officials must attend a cadet class (about 10 sessions) with an approved chapter (almost all are IAABO) and pass the national IAABO test with a score of 86 or better. My local chapter administers a floor test for those who pass the written test and then decides who is accepted into the chapter and therefore receives state certification.

New officials spend one year as cadets, and 2 years as provisional officials. Varsity status is at the discretion of the chapter board and usually does not occur before 5 years although exceptions are made and the time frame varies in both directions.

IAABO chapters generally provide reciprocity for IAABO officials from other chapters including those from other states. If you are not an IAABO member, you must attend the cadet class and pass the IAABO test for state certification.


Pennsylvania

To become certified official:
1. Receive a score of 75 or better on national NFHS test (about half of the test takers fail)
2. Affiliate with an approved chapter (most are not IAABO)
3. Complete background check

Pennsylvania provides reciprocity and a waiver of testing requirements for officials who provide documentation that they are currently certified in another state.

For the past 3 years, my chapter has offered 10 session rules schools in the fall and spring. I have only come across a couple of chapters statewide that do likewise.


A plus for New Jersey/IAABO is that all new officials are required to take an extensive rules study class before becoming certified to officiate. In PA, if you can receive certification to officiate without training. The result is that the quality of officials is less consistent. The best officials in PA are as accomplished as those in Jersey. However, in PA you are more likely to encounter officials not as well grounded in rule and mechanics fundamentals. Both NJ and PA have an extensive choice of camps which help to even things out.

Jeff -

I gotta agree with some of what you say. I have been to a few IAABO conventions and their are very vanilla in what they teach. The IAABO board in Wash. DC. looks like the NBA staff becuase they have been taught by Scott Foster. I think IAABO needs to be a little more pro-active and use some mechanics out of both the men's and women's college game.

Billy Mac - does the state of Connecticut require you to be IAABO or just register throught the Fed. In Maryland, we had a large groupthat left IAABO, becuase the question kept coming up as to why do I have to pay $35 for IAABO dues if the state of Maryland doesn't really care if you are IAABO or not. If you have have a veteran in your board who is willing to take the time in the fall and teach he can teach you everything you would learn from IAABO without the expenses involved. While I am an IAABO guy,
I know a lot of people in the Mid- Atlantic area that has reservations about IAABO.

Even the online, open book version? :eek:

A demanding system (in terms of years to full V) for a new official to go through, but I think a good system. I like the fact that there is an "up and down" component based on ratings and the other criteria. Reading your reply to Rut, I see that your board places a high premium on education which is great.
With the commitment a new official has to make in terms of years, plus the on going educational aspect, and a rating system that is structured to move guys either up or down, I would imagine you end up with some pretty good first year full varsity officials.
I'd take a system like that anytime over the one I'm stuck in. 2 year "probation" period, but unless you score a minimum of 86 on the written and 90 on the floor exam, you stay at the 2nd year probation level until you do.
Get 86 or better on the exam, but the evaluators mark you lower than a 90 on the floor...you're going back to Q school to steal a pro golf reference. Below 86 on the written? You don't qualify for a floor exam. As such, while we know just how much we missed by on the written, and exactly which questions (allowing us to work on our weaker rules areas for the next year) we have no idea as to where we are with our floor work.
Once you get past all this that and become a V official, you're there for life. Just pay the dues every year. No rating system, so new V guys are solely at the mercy of the assignor as far as moving up.

to date, all tests for pa certification are paper based at approved test sites

Your Holiness And Your Honor ...
 

Just like a Supreme Court judge, or the pope. How do you avoid having eighty-five year old varsity officials?

Have Ladder, Will Travel ...
 

Connecticut is a 100% IAABO state. Each local (county) board has its own assigning commissioner. If you're playing a scholastic game, you're going to have an IAABO official.

We, as individuals are not required to join the NFHS. As an IAABO member we get a book that contains the NFHS rulebook, the NFHS casebook, and the IAABO mechanics manual, so I'm assuming that IAABO pays some type of fee to the NFHS to use their publications.

Interesting note. It's actually very difficult to join the NFHS as a basketball official in Connecticut. Our state interscholastic sports governing body (CIAC) has some type of "all or nothing" agreement with the NFHS that all members of an officials group, let's just say, for example, lacrosse officials, must join the NFHS as a group, or none can join. Since all basketball officials are IAABO, we belong to IAABO, not the NFHS, so we can't join the NFHS, even as individuals.

I wanted access to the NFHS online rulebook so a friend in the state office put my name in with the volleyball officials, which allowed me to join the NFHS. I send a check to the state office every August.

Forgive me Billy that sounds like way too much control. I like our system because we join who we want to and attend meetings of who we want to. Also my ability to get a varsity game falls on the shoulders of the assignor (which assigns conferences individually) similar to working college ball. We do not have to prove anything to any group or board of people. If we can work, we work for that person if they want to hire us. If we can't work, they will not hire us. And if we were to do what you guys do, we would violate independent contractor laws in this state any organization that does all that will become an employee instead of hiring in independent contractor to do a job.

Peace

The Peace Corps ...
 

Maybe I've mislead you. Connecticut is a 100% IAABO state. That is a fact, not a rule.

If you want to start your own non-IAABO Connecticut chapter, for example, the Rutledge Peace Basketball Officials Chapter, then you are welcome to do so. No one would stop you. I'm sure that our state interscholastic sports governing body would require of your chapter some type of proof regarding the quality of your officials before allowing your chapter to assign scholastic games.

As it is now, there are plenty of "independent" basketball officials groups in the state that assign recreation games, travel games, private school games, AAU games, etc. Up until a few years ago there were a few non-IAABO groups that assigned girls high school games. Over the past few years they have voluntarily merged with existing IAABO boards.

I would imagine they don't avoid it. I've watched guys working varsity in my area who literally cannot run up and down the floor anymore. I would guess that in most parts of the country, like here, working varsity games can often have a lot more to do with who you know and are friends with than skill.

In my area there is no evaluation process. The local association I belong to is essentially worthless; they have one clinic in the summer that I would call subpar at best. There is no evaluation process and it wouldn't matter if they did because they don't get any games for their members. Conference assigners give you varsity games in the two big conferences here; one of them isn't even a basketball official and in most cases has never even watched guys work a game. He wouldn't know if they did a good job anyway since he knows nothing about working a basketball game. Most of the games go to the same guys every year, or his pals from baseball and football (sports he does work). I work plenty of varsity baseball games in this conference but my crew gets very few basketball games.

You can get varsity games directly through the school AD in some smaller schools and my crew does this. We also get varsity games from another smaller conference with an assigner; we have never met him and he has never seen us work. I also pick up varsity games in yet another conference from an assigner with a different crew of guys. How do you get games, or an in with these assigners? You know someone who is tight with them and they get you games. That is how I got games in the third conference. The smaller schools where the AD assigns his own games you simply contact them and ask for games. I get a lot of varsity basketball and baseball games this way. I think I'm a good official but even if I weren't it wouldn't matter. I would still get my games in certain conferences but not in others. I get plenty of varsity games and am satisfied, but where I am able to get games and where I am not has absolutely no rhyme or reason.

I wish we had a strong association with good training and evaluation. I think being evaluated regularly would make me a better official.

You missed my point on this Billy. We would not be allowed to do that without opening ourselves up to tax liability. No associations in my state can assign games without violating tax law because they would have to pay workman's comp and other benefits for paying and hiring officials. Because if membership is required and they association pays you, that would open up the organization and its leadership to fines. This is not about starting my own organization; this would violate law and make it almost impossible for an organization in my state to afford all the fees and taxes that go with such a structure. Your state laws might be different, but in this state we would be in some trouble by doing that. This is why our associations are only "training" organizations, not "assigning organizations." You guys have a policy as to when and how someone gets a game. We cannot do that as a group. But a conference can hire and assignor and that person can come up with their own policy as how they hire someone without violating those laws I was discussing. Because they can hire you without membership and the schools are the ones that pay you.

Also there was an organization in another sport that did the very thing you say IAABO does in your area. Then there was a completely separate legal procedure that someone was going through and they were doing the right thing by claiming the income and they were honest about who paid them. When the state found out they were being paid directly from this organization and taking out money for being a member and other things, they charged the organization for back taxes because they were considered an employer under the law not a group hiring independent contractors. This has nothing to do with AAU or rec ball, the same rules would apply. Which is why we are paid only by the schools and we get games from someone the schools decide to hire.

Peace

Good points Rut. In New Jersey, while theoretically a new chapter could be started it would require approval by the state association (NJSIAA) and that is unlikely. Esssentally, the turf has been covered. A recent request I am aware of was denied despite an appeal to the courts.


Our chapter exclusively assigns the middle and high school games for the area and makes it clear that the chapter expects preference for official availability. Most other areas of NJ use assignors independent of a chapter. There are pros and cons with both situations. Personally, I prefer more of an open market with many assignors.

Our Little Corner Of Connecticut ...
 

We, in 100% of the cases, are paid directly, as individuals (independent contractors), by the schools. In some cases, but not all, we have to fill out some type of tax form, including our Social Security Number.

We, as a local (county) IAABO organization, hire a commissioner (assigner). Individual high schools, and some, but not all, middle schools, contact him with their schedules, and he assigns games, the number of which, the level of which, and the quality of which, are determined by our local organization's ratings and ranking procedures. Fees are contracted between our the statewide IAABO board, and the state interscholastic sports governing body (CIAC). Yearly raises are based on the average raise that all teachers in the state get each year.

Our commissioner, or assistant commissioner, also assigns some, but not all, local AAU games, all Nutmeg Games (state Olympic-style summer sports festival), and many, but not all, paid high school scrimmages, with fees agreed upon between our assigner and the organization that need officials. We are discouraged from working, but still allowed to work, as individuals (independent contractors), AAU games that are assigned by local AAU organizations, with fees determined by the local AAU organization. We are also allowed (and not discouraged) to work paid, or unpaid, scrimmages if the coach, or athletic director, directly contacts us as individuals (independent contractors), and we then make our own payment agreement with that coach, or athletic director.

We are also allowed (and not discouraged) as individuals (independent contractors) to work private school games, some middle school games, recreation games, and travel games. Each has its own "independent" assigner, with fees set up by these "independent" assigners with the organizations that need officials. These games are scheduled during the high school season. We are discouraged from, but still allowed to, block off dates on our calendars (Arbiter) to work these type of games.

Billy,

All I am saying is your system would possibly violate a lot of state statues to the laws. Which is why many associations specifically changed their constitutions to avoid such liability issues. Still I would not want to be assigned by an associations that I must belong to to work. And for a group to decide who should and should not work certain levels just is silly to me. But then again if that is what you have been exposed to you would think that is OK. I just like our system better. I am sure you think your system is OK too. Nothing wrong with that at all. It is what it is.

Peace

Need A Get Out Of Jail Free Card ???
 

Local IAABO boards here in Connecticut only very recently got into assigning AAU games. At first, our statewide leadership wanted to take over all AAU assignments, and wanted language in our IAABO bylaws that "prohibited" our members from working AAU games that were not assigned by our local IAABO commissioners.

Several local AAU organizations complained that they should be able to assign their own games, at their own fee, with whomever they wanted to assign games to, as they had done in the past.

We also had complaints from some of our members who had had "cozy" agreements with local AAU organizations in the past, and had made substantial amounts of money with such agreements. Some of these officials actually served as "assigners" for these local AAU organizations. Members didn't want these "cozy" assignments opened up to a larger group of officials.

Although I was not privy to what transpired behind closed doors inside smoke filled rooms, I kept hearing about "attorney general", "lawsuits", "injuctions", and "independent contractors" through the "grapevine". We now have a temporary, unwritten policy in place that "discourages" our members from accepting AAU assignments from someone other than our own commissioner. However, there is no written bylaw that "prohibits" us from accepting such assignments. Our leadership will look at this issue again next season.

I believe that this is the type of situation that JRutledge is referring to. Somewhere, Jimmy Hoffa is rolling over in is grave under some plastic junk in a landfill.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4123/...5ef05648_m.jpg

Billy,

I am only talking about high school assignments. I am not talking about AAU or non-high school season events. Those around here are assigned by individuals that the leagues or tournaments directors give that responsibility over to a person. I know in basketball there is no association mandate or involvement from the top level for these kinds of tournaments. We might distribute the information if we find out a league or tournament needs officials, but nothing the executive board plays a role in.

I am sure it is different across the country, but the Illinois High School Association has to be careful with things they do so they do not violate state law. For example the do not have an evaluation system or observers program that is run by them because they would violate laws and make themselves the employee of officials. So the only things they do are license officials and assign them to their post season games. They do not do things to require training or other evaluation to move up the latter.

And this is why in football and basketball there are no associations that involve directly in signing and if they are they are careful to not make a distinction clear you do not have to be a member. Other organizations in other sports have some similar relationship, but the example I gave you was a baseball organization. Their situation scared the crap out of all other organizations and many bolted from that organization because of the legal issues.

Peace

Look for the Union Label ...
 

I believe that our recent AAU situation "scared the crap" out of our local and state IAABO leadership.

The intention of the leadership was to completely take over AAU officiating all over the state, sign a statewide contact with the state AAU leadership, similar to our statewide high school contract with our state interscholastic sports governing body, and turn the AAU game assignment responsibilities over to our local IAABO commissioners. They were planning to accomplish this by prohibiting any member from accepting assignments from a local AAU assigner, with strong penalties in place if anyone chose to accept such assignments. There were also going to be very severe penalties in place if any IAABO member made such assignments as a local AAU assigner. Certainly a strongarm tactic.

Then our local and state IAABO leaders came to the realization that local AAU organizations, as well as local IAABO members with "cozy" agreements, wouldn't go along quietly with these strongarm tactics. Restraint of trade injunctions can be very scary, so the local and state IAABO leadership backed off a little. As I stated in an earlier post, we now have an announced, unwritten policy in place that "discourages" our members from accepting AAU assignments from someone other than our own commissioner. It was announced for the "good of the board", in other words, "be a good board member". However, and this was also announced, there is no local, or state, IAABO policy that prohibits us from accepting such assignments. That certainly is a "giant step" back from what they had intended to do earlier.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/...fd5556be_m.jpg

How is this different from an independent assigner and his two evaluators deciding who works games?

When I was in my previous board, assignments came from the board's assigner, who was elected by the board, and the school's agreed with the choice. I wasn't paid by the board, I could decline assignments and I paid my fee to the board following the season. In no way was the board my "employer." I'm not sure what legal ramifications you are talking about, because I'm familiar with a system similar to Billy's and there have been no legal problems.

Vote Early And Vote Often ...
 

Restraint of trade laws probably vary from state to state. JRutledge is from Illinois, the "Land of Lincoln, and, "The Land of Rod Blagojevich".

Billy I have been an official for 15 years and this was the same then (when a Republican Governor was in office). This is a heavy Union State and a lot of laws are here to protect workers from being taken advantage of. I am sure that is the origin of such laws because they go after organizations not individuals. This is why when we are paid we often fill out W-9 forms for many schools to make it clear they are playing us as an independent contractor. Also our issues were not just about who pays you, it was also what control they have over your schedule. The organization I was referring to also was controlling who an official worked for. If you are an independent contractor, you decide that, not an organization.

Also there was a state our west that was going through a legal challenge to their laws because organizations were paying their memberships. This was similar to what we were going through, but there is probably more case law or president to not have that kind of control. This is probably why our IAABO is non-existent in many things here.

Peace

So if I do not want to be a member of IAABO, can I still work games for your assignors?

Peace

W-9's ...
 

When I started officiating about thirty years ago, we were only asked to fill out W-9's at the state technical schools. Then about fifteen years ago, were were asked to fill out W-9's at some "big city" schools. Now we are filling out these forms at about more than 50% of the schools that we service. Many of our members have become concerned about security regarding our Social Security Numbers. In many cases we are asked to complete these forms at the table, where they sit, open for anyone to see, until the end of the game, or, at best, halftime. We don't know where they go after the game.

Identify theft has become quite common. How is this handled in other parts of the country?

"Whistle While You Work" ...
 

Absolutely not if you're talking about high school games here in the "Land of Steady Habits". As I've already stated in an earlier post, IAABO is a 100% IAABO state in the eyes of our state interscholastic sports governing body (CIAC). All high school games in the state are assigned by local (county) IAABO-hired commissioners.

On the other hand, there is nothing keeping you from working travel games, recreation games, some middle school games, and some AAU games, that are assigned by "independent" assigners.

http://cache2.artprintimages.com/p/M...onnecticut.jpg

Well if we do not fill out the forms we will not get paid. I only fill them out when a person can get them quickly. But in some cases we have to send the information well before we get to the site.


Peace

It's frightening that an official can have 20+ years of experience working good HS varsity games in a non-IAABO area and pretty much not be able to continue his career in Connecticut. Who with that kind of experience (in their right mind) would be willing to come in and work 8 more years before having full varsity status?

Not me. That is why I asked. And I am pretty sure that some JV ball is better around here than a good part of Connecticut. Not saying, just saying.

Peace

Hey, what are you saying? :p

Fright Night ...
 

Actually four years at the least. If you're really that good, I'm sure that you would get a varsity loaded "split" schedule after only four years. Our commissioner has that power, if you're really that good. Still frightening, but maybe less so.

Jeff--When I was in VT [an IAABO state] they allowed transfers along with letters from assignors, board secretaries, etc that indicated years of experience, etc. Some guys transferred in and started working varsity right away. Sometimes geographic location plays a role. You may have to have passed the IAABO exams to allow for a transfer. VT had the IAABO refresher test which was essentially a review session conducted in various sections of the state. This was how the VT board did things. Each board or state under IAABO auspices might have a different M.O.--Paul

You're kidding, right? 4 years of low level basketball? I know it's important to pay your dues, but I've paid them, just not in your state.

I'm sure many (including me) would simply pack it in rather than enter a system where a quick placement evaluation wasn't done. 4 years? In most places, 4 years is enough to go from rookie to varsity official.

Rim Shot......Ching!
 

There, fixed it for you. ;)

That is the gift that keeps on giving. :)

Peace

All we need now is a picture of the squirrel.

Four years? you're kidding right?

I was ranked #2 in chapter after four years...I was 23 and was crew chief in the Regional Finals for the next 3 years, along with working an NCAA schedule...Four years really? Sounds like your more concerned about protecting seniority than cultivating real talent. Just my opinion, not the gospel ;)

Ed Zackery!

Noooo! :eek:

You have a long ways to go to catch up with Diebler.

Hey man, I'm trying...I'm trying.... ;)

I didn't read every post in this thread, but I wanted to respond because I have knowledge of several things mentioned.

First of all, I was part of the IAABO board in DC and I saw Scott Foster one time while I lived there. Unless things have changed drastically over the last three years I doubt that board resembles a NBA staff, especially since he has moved up among NBA officials.

Rut, I was an official who moved from a non-IAABO state to an IAABO state. I want to say right off the bat that I think IAABO is just a middle man and most associations worth anything have training. When I moved to Maryland things went like this:

• I went to a camp before I moved to possibly get hired in a JC conference. I was hired.
• When I moved I worked a few games for the IAABO "recreation" assigner for my area before the season started.
• I worked 1 JV game for the regular assigner and had no other games scheduled. Someone was watching me.
• I wasn't used to not working during that time of year so I contacted the assigner for the DC IAABO chapter and he told me he wanted to see me work.
• I drove an hour across town to work 6 minutes of a 12-year old game. He said thanks and I will be in touch. At the time I was kind of pissed because I drove so far, in bad weather, for such a short time on the court. My car was still warm when I got back in it!
• The next day the assigner from DC called me and loaded me up with a bunch of schools I had never heard of. Literally 5 minutes later the IAABO assigner from Maryland called me to give me Varsity games.
• I was honest with both and ended up working for both boards for the next 3 seasons - I probably did less than 5 games during that time that were not varsity although the few times I did I was glad to get home earlier. As far as I know I'm still the only person to do that since then.

The original assigner was replaced by the "recreation" assigner after my first season there and he is still a friend. Oh, those schools I had never heard of were schools from the Catholic league - one of the best leagues in the country.

I think we need to worry more about the product we put on the floor instead of the amount of years an official has been part of an association. I would think an official like Rut would be OK regardless of where he moved. I know you can come out to Vegas and be OOOOOOKKKKKKK.

Nobody said otherwise. But to tell an official that under no circumstances will he be a varsity official for 4 years is ridiculous.

When I moved to a city around 12 years ago, I joined a baseball association. I had a resume and experience, but I wasn't expecting to be handed anything -- all I wanted was a chance to show my ability and let them decide where I belonged -- and I was scheduled to work a preseason varsity scrimmage with one of the big dogs of the association. The association president came and watched me work for about 3 innings. From there, I was moved into the group of varsity officials and worked a full varsity schedule THAT SEASON.

If I'm told that if I'm really good it may only take 4 years to "move up" to a level I've been working a long time, what's the motivation? And yes, I do think it's mainly to protect the people who grew up there, as if that alone makes them more entitled to the best games. As you said, shouldn't the best product be on the floor?

One thing I think that may be missing from this discussion is the geographical area that people are working in. There are more people in the Wheaton IL area then probably the STATE of Iowa (Ok, you may have to throw Naperville in there!) Here in the Commonwealth N. VA has a much denser population than SW and Central VA. So associations from N. VA can have 'stricter' rules b/c there are more officials to chose from. Whereas in the less populous areas of the state, associations take who they can get and train them 'on the fly'. If you put up too many hoops for them to jump through you will scare potential officials off and then not have enough to cover the games you are contratec to cover.
Where I work we have local assigning boards who are contrated by various conferences to provide 'independent contrator's' to officiate their games. We are responsible for taking our own 'contributions' to the IRS out and since the board reports its 'income' the officials had better to it or The Men In Black may show up on their door!!!

Peer Pressure ...
 

Seniority has very little to do with game assignments. Rankings, based on ratings, dictate game assignments; number, level, and quality. Ratings are based on peer ratings (80%), refresher exam (5%), meeting attendance (5%), and availability (10%).

Peer ratings come from everyone who has seen you officiate. In a typical junior varsity/varsity double header, you usually get three ratings, from your partner, and from the two officials in the game before, or after, yours.

Actually Wheaton only has about 50,000 and Naperville has about 130,000. And to use those two towns as places I work games in is very misleading. I am lucky if I get a single game in either town and these are two towns that are in a much larger area. I belong to 3 different basketball organizations and we pull from a larger area. I am the Basketball Division President of one of those associations and that association pulls from many towns in the larger Chicago area. That association has about 120 members total (in basketball only) and everyone works for all kinds of levels and for different kinds of people. The other organizations I do not believe have 100 members each in their basketball division memberships. None of the executive boards decide who works what level that is for the assignors to decide of those conferences. And none hire an assignor to work for the association. We have assignors that are members, but they make it known they will hire whomever they want to and membership to the organization is not necessary. And that would be silly to do that on their part as many conferences are spread out to places that members to an association might not live or have easy access to. I will bet that IAABO in Connecticut is probably larger than the three organizations I currently hold membership in at this time. And for the record there are 96 different recognized official's associations by the IHSA. Also the purpose of those organizations from the IHSA's point of view is simply to train officials to make officiating better across the state. Any contract for a contest is between the school and the official. Assignors do not really have a stake in the assignments as the schools do. That is why they hire an assignor to decide who works the games, but if you violate those contracts you do so with the school. All the assignor can do is not hire you again, but the IHSA has a fine system where you would have to pay the school.

My question about his was just to understand why it was different. We had an IAABO board/organization/association in our area, but there are no independent meetings or independent training. It is mostly an option for organizations to pay into the membership and you will get their literature if you join. But you will not have to attend any meetings or go through a training process. For a guy like me to move to another IAABO group, I would have nothing to show for my membership. At least as far as I can tell.

Peace

Do The Math ...
 

My local (county) board: 300 members, serving 70 high schools.

Note: On a real busy night, like Friday night, we barely have enough officials to cover all games. Freshman/Junior varsity doubleheaders are often assigned. Throw in some injuries to officials, add flu season, pile up some makeup games due to a snow storm, and we're in trouble.

So your peer rating...the opinions of either A: veterans who are worried about you taking their games or B: More "less than 4yrs served rookies like yourself" who don't need another guy moving up to take their games and don't have the knowledge to give a decent fair, unbiased rating towards you.

Availability? What does availability have to do with how well you officiate? So if I work a heavy NCAA, etc schedule I'm not as good as the high school guys who work every night of the week, thus I can't work a Varsity game because my availibility doesn't show me to be a qualified official.

Sorry my friend, but these "ratings" seem a bit flawed.

Availability 10% ???????
 

I assign another sport having 20 schools (V & JV).

Here is the million dollar question and I would love the feedback.

You have an above average hs. guy who works every tues / thurs / fri. and is

steady, but you have a "college guy", who gives you every friday and and

a couple days here and there. Who is worthy of the post - season

assignments??? High school guy is there 24/7 but college guy can do things

on the court that hs guy has no clue about. Mostly judgement and game

management.

Billy Mac - what do you get for your $35 dues from IAABO? Convention is

next weekend in Portland, Maine. Are the Pa guys who aren't IAABO any

worse than the Jersey guys who bleed IAABO ??? I am indifferent on the

subject.

Different strokes for different folks.
 

This is ultimately an area issue. The days you gave do not apply to high school games here the same way and we can work multiple games on Saturday which happens with high school officials all the time in my area. You have to decide what is better. But it is a fact that many of our officials get playoff games that work college ball where I live. Then again it is assigned at the state level, not the local level. I would think it matters more who are the top officials in your area and how many games they are giving you percentage wise. Also in my area I will not work really more than 4 or 5 games for any one assignor. So I cannot give them that many days anyway as I would only work one conference.

Peace

Commissioner's Rating ...
 

Having a college schedule doesn't count against a member's availability. Neither do work, family, or health (illness, injury) related issues. Blocking off games to make oneself available for town recreation games every Monday night, or for travel games every Saturday, or for Wednesday bowling night with the guys will count against you.

The commissioners availability rating also takes into consideration many things that make his job easier: keeping Arbiter calendar updated and current, listing correct e-mail address and phone numbers, listing cell phone first, photo of official (face not body) on Arbiter, number of missed assignments, accepting minimum assignments, number of turnbacks, submitting rating sheets by due date, etc.

Some people are very irresponsible and have to be reminded several times regarding deadlines.

Vote Early, Vote Often ...
 

State tournament games are 100% based on coaches voting. Believe it or not, the coaches do a pretty good job. I've been around the block a few times and I'm pretty good at identifying good officials. We had about two dozen members selected for the high school tournament last season, and I can honestly say that I only questioned how one member got on that list.

Say it ain't so.....
 

and yet, YOU refereed the game anyhow? ;)

To Quote A Certain Mesozoic Official ...
 

Hey. Rulz is rulz.

I have always had a huge problem with letting a coaches rating carry a lot of weight with postseason assignments. Coaches rate us on wins and losses period! You make a great call at the end of the game and all one coach remembers is that you screwed him and his team and your rating will show that. Coaches have no idea about most of the rules and they make that clear every week of the season. Why should any official’s postseason fate be determined by people who really don't have an idea about officiating.

Vote Early, Vote Often ...
 

It's not a rating. It's a vote, pure and simple. The more votes you get, the deeper into the tournament you work.

I know it's hard to believe, but the coaches do a very good job of voting our best officials into the tournament every year. Yes, every year some good officials are left off the tournament list, there are just so many spots available. But every year the list is made up of our best officials. As I said in an earlier post, this past season there was only one name on the list that I thought didn't belong there. The season before I had no reservations about anyone on the tournament list.

The advantage I can see to having Coaches vote would be that it is much harder for a referee to improperly "influence" enough coaches to make it to the tournament. In my state each association has an assignor and one or more evaluators. The Assignor and Evaluators recommend referees to the State. Local "friendship" makes a huge difference in who is promoted to the state and often is unrelated to ability.