IS there anyway in NC or any other state that a new official can call a Varsity game

[NCOfficial]

I am a new official in NC. I was wondering if a new officialn(less than a year) can call a Varsity game?

Say this person scored 100 on the State exam and had very good Mechs. Will he still have to wait 2-3 years?

What about other states?

[Zeke5]

I don't know about NC, but here in MD it was possible.
I was a first year official last year (2000), and I ended
up working several varsity games, but not because I was
assigned/scheduled for them. Here are a couple of things
that worked for me:

1) Every Thursday and Friday afternoon, I made a call into
the commissioner to let him know that I had availability for
Friday evening or Saturday afternoon should he have a last
minute opening. I was fortunate that he took a chance on me
early in the season and that I worked a my first couple of
games with some good people (officials) who were quick to
let the commissioner know that I was capable of working at
that level. The commissioner never got tired of me calling,
and he made it clear that he was glad I called. He actually
ended up assigning me to a couple of late season varsity
games.

2) I worked the box on a chain crew on a varsity game when I
did't have one. Every crew (especially HL) I approached
was delighted to have an official on the chain crew. Even
if I wasn't not throwing flags, I'd get no better training
than being on the field with the same view as a wingman. I
was involved in every play: counted defense, offensive
formation. I developed a feel for the speed of the game.
Additionally, the crew always included me in their pregame
and halftime (during which I remained silent unless they
asked my input). This whole exercise not only helped
develop my skills, but it also got myself some exposure to
my officiating organization and it let them know I am
dedicated and serious about being out there (I could of
hung out in a bar with some friends on a Friday evenings
wishing I was on the field).

3) I ALWAYS carried my officiating stuff with me. I
never knew when I could called to action. I worked 3 games
last year, because I voluntarily came to work the chain crew
and found that one of the officials was stuck in traffic,
and they threw me out on the field until he got there.
Another time, the crew decided that it would be great to
work a 5 man game (we only work 4 here!!), and they asked
if I'd like to participate pro bono (If you want PT, it's
not about the money!). Another time, there was an unknown
scheduling error where an official was placed on another
game at the last minute and the new official was told the
wrong game site. Well, I happened to be there and picked
up another varsity game.

4) I was gracious. I told the crew that I appreciated the
opportunity to work the box for their game. I really was
thankful. If the commissioner assigned me a game, I'd
personally thank him for the opportunity and that I would't
let him down - I knew he was sticking his neck out for me.

5) I wasn't cocky. I tried to be perceived as the lowest
man on the totem pole out there on the field to my crew,
but appeared able and confident (this kept the coaches off
my back). I did my job and took care of my area of the
field as best as I could. I did A LOT of LISTENING, and
spoke little when asked. I did what ever my white hat
told me to do no matter if I thought(or knew) it was wrong.
I'd approach him about it after the game in an inquisitive
manner (not challenging).

6) I steered clear of the political babble that goes on in
the crew. I made no disparaging remarks about anyone or how
things were run.

7) I didn't have any BIG screw-ups. Sure I had a some
mistakes in mechanics and I missed a few calls, but none
that cost a kid a scholarship or kept a team from the
playoffs. I tried to make all of my calls BIG. No ticky-
tack or marginal stuff. I remembered, nobody has ever
played, coached or OFFICIATED a perfect game.

All in all, if you really want to get out there early, you
are going to have to create the opportunities for yourself
and make the best of them. Of course it heavily depends on
how your local chapter works, but I'd be willing to try any
of this anywhere. I would not consider any of what I did
overly aggressive or ingraciatory.

This is my 2nd year, and I just got my schedule for the
first half of the season and it is full ...

Hope this helps

[Edited by Zeke5 on Aug 1st, 2001 at 05:04 PM]

[NCOfficial]

Thank you very much Zeke5. I will try to implement this. I think that if a do the things I am suppose to do, it will be OK.

[Ed Hickland]

Zeke has the right attitude.

Generally, it is assumed new officials or transfer officials will have a waiting period before working a varsity game. For instance, Ohio has a very strict procedure that would not allow first year officials to work varsity games. California it varys depending upon association.

Here in New York we have in years of shortage had first year officials work varsity games. Now that there is a plentiful pool it will be your 5th year before you work varsity.

I don't agree with first year, nor do I agree it should always be the fifth year or any set year. Officials are individuals and do learn and retain at different rates. Ideally, especially with numbers being short in different geographies, working varsity or any level for that matter should be judged based upon an objective assessment of an individual's ability.

[BktBallRef]

Originally posted by NCOfficial
I am a new official in NC. I was wondering if a new official(less than a year) can call a Varsity game?

Say this person scored 100 on the State exam and had very good Mechs. Will he still have to wait 2-3 years?

What about other states?

If you've read the NCHSAA regulations, you already know that you have to work two years of sub-varsity competition before moving up to the varsity level. That applies to all sports, not just football. So, it's not up to the local association.

However, sub-varsity competition is not strictly defined. So, if you've worked recereation or Pop Warner for several years, you might see a varsity game your first year, depending on need. But it's also going to depend on other issues. Is there an abundance of officials? Are there other officials who've been in the association longer that deserve a shot first? Right now, there's not a lot of depth in the SAOA after you get past the men who are currently on crews. But chances are that the booking agent is going to go with the guys that he knows until you have an opportunity to prove yourself. You just need to be patient. A good score and good mechanics are not the only ingredients for a good official. You probably saw that in the scrimmages on Sunday evening.

BTW, good luck with that 100! I made 100 on my first basketball exam and got some immediate attention. But the football test and the rules are a lot more difficult than basketball.

[stripes1977]

What part of NC do you officiate in? I'm in the triangle association. This is my second year and I know plenty of guys who got varsity games their first year.

[Rick KY]

In KY there is no written rule on this matter. Usually new guys don't do so well on tests and with mechanics, but there is no rule against working V in first year. It would be possible, but you'd have to strut your stuff in F and JV games to prove your worth.

[NCOfficial]

I am in the Southeastern Assoc. in NC. From the looks of things I will be working Recreation Ball for the city and county, Middle School, and MAYBE JV. I don't believe that I will have any trouble on the test, It is just Mechcanics I have to work on.


NCOfficial

http://www.saoa.faync.com

[BktBallRef]

Originally posted by stripes1977
What part of NC do you officiate in? I'm in the triangle association. This is my second year and I know plenty of guys who got varsity games their first year.

It just depends on numbers. How many veteran officials are working? How many retire? How many guys are waiting to be selcted to a crew? Two years ago, we had a lot of turnover. This year, it looks like there will be very little.

My first year, I worked 6 varsity games. But I had worked rec leagues for 5 or 6 years. The first game I worked, I didn't tell the crew it was my first varsity game until after it was over. They had not idea that I was a rookie on his first varsity game. If you can work rec league games and receive good training, you can work just about anything below the college level.

I think that, eventually, we'll get to the point in NC where we will have to play varsity games on Friday and Saturday night because there aren't enough officials.


NCOfficial, you will get JV games. You may not have got any on the schedules that were given out on Monday night but there's only one JV Thursday in this set of assignments. You'll work with a varsity crew who may be missing a regular member or two. When you get those JV games, treat them like varsity games. Hustle, ride to the game with a fellow crew member, ask questions in pre-game, at halftime and after the game. Accept advice and use it when you're on the field. Rookies who think they know it all get a bad rep in a hurry.

Good luck! Let me know if I can help you!