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Expert: - 10/24/2008


Question
Hi Vic,

I am inquiring about information on becoming a college level official. I am trying to assist my friend in advancing his career as a official on the college level. We live in South Florida. He has been a official at the youth level for many years and is currently at the high school level but would like to advance to the college level and hopeful one day at the NFL level. Any information that you can provide me with will be greatly appreciated.

Answer
College Bound,
I am getting ready to travel to my game.  I will follow up Sunday with this question.  However I wanted to sent you a quick reply.  First, you are a very good friend and a great friend to fellow officials for helping!

First suggestion is that he find a college official in your area who can act as his mentor.  Someone who he can talk to about mechanics and rules.  He should ask the mentor how he can get invited to NCAA Study groups.  I recommend that he go to officials Camps during the Offseason.  There he can learn and network.  It is very important to network and market one's self.   The NFL has a grassroots one day clinic that put on in different parts of the country.  There are also some other very fine camps put on by Ken Rivera in Reno, Honig's in Michigan, Walt Anderson's Big 12 mini clinics, Ed Camp of the NFL used to put on a clinic.  There are several others.

He needs to find a mentor or a local college official he can approach who will sit down with him and review some of his high school film.  Film study is very important.  

Hope this helps.

Vic Winnek

College Football

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Vic Winnek

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Will Answer all queries RE: Rules of Football - NCAA & Federation; Officiating; Instruction on Football; Mechanics & application of rules; Setting up Instructional programs and clinics for: Officials, coaches and media; Liability Issues (Legal & Insurance questions)arising from coaching, playing, refereeing, product liability. Serve as an Consultant and Expert Witness in Football Related Matters in Tort and Contract (Standard of Care for: officials, coaches, players, assignors, BOD; Player, equipment, field & stadium Safety; Fee issues, independant contractor workers compensation. History of the College football game -its evolution. MY PURPOSE IS TO INFORM & EDUCATE FANS, MEDIA, THOSE INTERESTED IN FOOTBALL ABOUT: THE RULES, THEIR APPLICATION, PHILOSOPHIES; OFFICIATING; LEGAL ISSUES INVOLVING FOOTBALL. I WILL NOT RESPOND TO BASHING OF TEAMS, COACHES OR OFFICIALS. I will not dignify rude or disparaging comments with a response, nor entertain questions that use profanity or questions that suggest Football officials are corupt, such an insinuation is ridiculous and ludicrous.

Experience

24 years officiating High School & College football, NCAA Referee, Umpire, Back Judge & Line Judge 2 years Arena Football-substitution official Instructor of NCAA & Federation Officials, Played prep and college football; coached High School football; Athletic trainer; 23 years of instruction in Officiating Football

Organizations
Past President of Calif. Football Officials Assoc; Western Collegiate Football Officials Assoc.; CFOA-Long Beach Unit Board of Directors CFOA-South Bay Unit & Long Beach Unit, Pres. Executive Council of Calif. Football Officials Assoc.; CIF Presidents' Council on Officiating; Chairman Ethics Committee

Publications
Referee Magazine; California Football Officials Assoc. Instructor's Guide; NACC Div. 1-AA football officials' clinic; CFOA instrutional materials; Articles written: Line of Scrimmage mechanics, Forward Progress, Side Line Warnings, 2006 NCAA New Timing Rules; various instructional materials, UWLA Law Review

Education/Credentials
BA USC 1987
JD UWLA School of Law 1996
3 Years Reno Football Officials Clinic
4 Years UCLA Football Officials Camp Big 12 Mini Clinic NFL Grass Roots Clinic Aloha Clinic, Honolulu, HI West Coast Alliance Clinic

Awards and Honors
NCAA Div. 1 FCS & Div. III, 9 post season Bowl Games, play-offs, CIF Div. 1,2,3,5,8,9,10,12 Final, 10 years CIF Semi-finals, 19 years of CIF play-offs, California State High School Football Div. 1 Championship, Southern California Jr. College Championship, NCAA Div. III Semi-Final

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