Not an official, but have a question

[jTheUmp]

Originally Posted by NCAA 1-2-4

Team Area and Coaching Box

ARTICLE 4. a. On each side of the field, a team area in back of the limit line and between the 25-yard lines shall be marked for the exclusive use of substitutes, athletics trainers and other persons affiliated with the team. The front of the coaching box shall be marked with a solid line six feet outside the sideline between the 25-yard lines. The area between the coaching line and the limit line between the 25-yard lines shall contain white diagonal lines or be marked distinctly for use of coaches (Rule 9-2-5). A 4-inch-by-4-inch mark is mandatory at each five-yard line extended between the goal lines as an extension of the coaching line for line-to-gain and down indicator six-foot reference points.

b. The team area shall be limited to squad members in full uniform (see Appendix D) and a maximum of 60 other individuals directly involved in the game. All persons in the team area are subject to the rules and are governed by decisions of the officials (Rule 1-1-6). The 60 individuals not in full uniform shall wear special team area credentials numbered 1 through 60. No other credential is valid for the team area.

c. Coaches are permitted in the coaching box (see Appendix D), which is the area bounded by the limit line and coaching line between the 25-yard lines.

d. No media personnel, including journalists, radio and television personnel, or their equipment, shall be in the team area or coaching box, and no media personnel shall communicate in any way with persons in the team area or coaching box. In stadiums where the team area extends to the spectator seating area, a pass-through area should be made available for media to move from one end of the field to the other on both sides of the field.

e. Game management personnel shall remove all persons not authorized by rule.

(emphasis mine)

So there is rules support for keeping photographers out of the team area. But, IMHO, it's a problem for game management, not for on-field officials.

[equinox]

Originally Posted by jTheUmp

(emphasis mine)

But, IMHO, it's a problem for game management, not for on-field officials.

That gets back to my point about there not being anything about it in the stadium policies and procedures. It seems that if the team wants me to have access to the team area to get those kinds of shots, it shouldn't be a problem.

As far as the rules in the NCAA guidelines it is completely understandable, when you're talking about multiple cameras and operators with all the related equipment used by the typical media outlets like Fox Sports, NBC, etc. In my case we're talking about a guy with a little Handycam.

[CT1]

Originally Posted by equinox

That gets back to my point about there not being anything about it in the stadium policies and procedures. It seems that if the team wants me to have access to the team area to get those kinds of shots, it shouldn't be a problem.

Get the team to issue you one of the 60 team box passes. Problem solved.

[equinox]

Originally Posted by CT1

Get the team to issue you one of the 60 team box passes. Problem solved.

We don't do that now though. Even though Texas plays under NCAA rules, nobody does that (to my knowledge). The only thing our school district issues is a generic sideline pass, with our name on it, that is honored at all of the stadiums throughout our conference.

The other side of the coin is, if I was issued one of those passes, would that then mean I couldn't leave the team box?

[Adam]

Originally Posted by equinox

We don't do that now though. Even though Texas plays under NCAA rules, nobody does that (to my knowledge). The only thing our school district issues is a generic sideline pass, with our name on it, that is honored at all of the stadiums throughout our conference.

The other side of the coin is, if I was issued one of those passes, would that then mean I couldn't leave the team box?

If the coach wants you there, and the site admin doesn't, have the coach talk to the site admin.

Could be a power struggle of sorts.

Or, they could have a valid reason for disallowing it. Have you asked them why?

[equinox]

Originally Posted by Adam

If the coach wants you there, and the site admin doesn't, have the coach talk to the site admin.

Could be a power struggle of sorts.

Or, they could have a valid reason for disallowing it. Have you asked them why?

It is. The head stadium guy has Barney Fife Syndrome.

I appreciate all the responses here.

[CT1]

Originally Posted by equinox

It is. The head stadium guy has Barney Fife Syndrome.

Doesn't sound like there's much you can do, then. Do the best job you can do within the constraints you're given.

Good luck.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by equinox

It is. The head stadium guy has Barney Fife Syndrome.

I appreciate all the responses here.

Then just talk to the head coach and wait until the pissing match is over. Plus what CT1 said.