Expert: Vic Winnek - 10/31/2009

Question
ok so ive been thinking alot about becoming a ref. I know that you have to start at the bottom and work your way up. Ive always loved the sport but wasnt allowed to play due to one kindey. i would like to start this just dont know how to go about any help and advice would be greatly apperciated!! I live in morristown tn. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Answer
RJ
Give me a couple days to try to track down some contact inforation for you.  When I get back from my game this weekend I will work on it and see if we can't get you started in officiating.

Vic Winnek

RJ
Here is an on-line site for you to sign up as a high school official. They begin accepting registration for the new school year each June 1st. http://www.tssaa.org/Officials/Application.pdf

It is the actual applicantion for.

Please contact Terry Hillier at: www.go@tssaa.org    He can guide you in the exact direction in Tenn. to becoming inan official inyour area.

REGULATIONS GOVERNING TSSAA OFFICIALS
PLEASE READ THESE GUIDELINES BEFORE CALLING THE STATE OFFICE WITH QUESTIONS
1. Any person 18 years of age or over, of good character, a high school graduate, and who has not been convicted of a felony may apply for registration as a TSSAA official as an independent contractor. The application can be printed from the website www.tssaa.org. Click on Officials Information for all links regarding officiating.
2. Membership must be renewed by payment of registration fee each year, provided the applicant’s record for the previous year is satisfactory.
3. An official who fails to report for a game or match that has been assigned - unless released by the opposing coaches or unable to report due to accident or other unavoidable cause - shall be subject to penalty by TSSAA, and shall be placed on probation. On second offense, the official shall be suspended for twelve months.
4. It shall be the duty of a game official to file immediately a report with the state office if there is any unusual incident involving unsportsmanlike conduct on the part of players, coaches, cheerleaders, or fans.
5. The Executive Director shall have authority to suspend registration of an official who is guilty of unsportsmanlike or unethical conduct or who fails to file immediately required reports with the state office.  Such decisions shall be subject to review by the TSSAA Board of Control upon appeal by the official.
6. An official is prohibited from working in an athletic contest in which a member of his/her immediate family
- son, daughter, brother, sister, mother, father, husband, or wife - is playing or is serving as a coach for either team. If an official is a teacher, the official is prohibited from working in an athletic contest if one of the teams represents the school in which the official is employed as a teacher unless otherwise approved by the Executive Director. All varsity assignments must be assigned by a recognized and approved TSSAA Local Association.
7. An official may register as inactive. An inactive official may officiate B-team/J.V. games or matches only.

A registered inactive official shall not officiate TSSAA junior high or varsity games or matches. A registered inactive official is not required to meet regulations in rules 10 and 11 as listed below.  

8. We begin accepting registration each year on June 1st. It is the duty of the official to register in a timely manner each year. To complete registration you must: mail registration material and fees to state office –  AND - complete online registration. Go to www.tssaa.org; click on Officials Information; then click on   “Officials Registration” link and complete the information.

(a) The nonrefundable/nontransferable registration fee for the first sport is $60 and $45 for each additional sport.
(b) A new applicant or an official who was not registered the previous two school years must take and pass a qualifying exam. The qualifying exam will be an online exam and 70% is considered passing.
(c) Information regarding exams (Qualifying and Part II) will be mailed to you with your rulebooks before the start of each sport(s) season you are registering for.
9. Registration does not guarantee game assignments.
FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL
(a) An official who does not attend at least one state sponsored and five local interpretation meetings in football and basketball will be placed on the probationary list for a period of one year in the sport(s) in which he/she fails to meet requirements.
(b) An official on probation who fails to comply with Regulation 10 (a) while he/she is on probation shall be suspended for a period of one year in the sport(s) involved.
(c) An official selected to work a district, regional or state basketball tournament or any football play-off game must have passed a Part II examination. This examination must be passed during the season the official is selected or assigned. The Part II Examination is an online examination and a score of 80% is considered passing.