Expert: Vic Winnek - 5/6/2011

Question
I am retired and interesting in becoming an official? How do I go about it? I would suspect that you must start at a high school or Pop Warner level and work up to college. But where can you find a school or training that will result in some type of certification? By the way I am in the state of Washington. Thanks ... Pat

Answer
PAT
JUST ANOTHER FOLLOW UP TO SEE IF YOU HAVE MADE CONTACT WITH THE LOCAL OFFICIATING ASSOCIATION AND TO SEE HOW YOUR SUMMER STUDING AND TESTING IS GOING.  BEST OF LUCK ON YOUR OFFICIATING VENTURE THIS YEAR.
VIC WINNEK

FOLLOW UP:
PAT,
IF THE CONTACTS I GAVE YOU DON'T GET BACK TO YOU, FOLLOW UP A COUPLE TIMES.  IF YOU STILL HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM THEM AFTER A FEW EFFORTS PLEASE LET ME KNOW.  I WILL PERSONALLY CONTACT SOME COLLEGE OFFICIAL PEERS FROM THE AREA AND ASK THEM TO ASSIST.  JUST LET ME KNOW IF YOU COME ACROSS ANY ROAD BLOCKS AND I WILL DO WHAT I CAN TO HELP YOU BECOME AN OFFICIAL.  WE ALL GOT STARTED THIS WAY - KIND OF "WORD OF MOUTH".  I DON'T WANT TO LOSE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET A GOOD NEW OFFICIAL OUT ON THE FIELD AND I HAVE A GUT FEELING YOU WILL BE A GOOD NEW OFFICIAL.

JUST TO LET YOU KNOW THE OFFICIATING ASSOCIATIONS WILL START TO MAKE PREPARATIONS FOR THE FALL SEASON IN OR ABOUT JUNE, CLASSES LIKELY WILL START UP IN OR ABOUT AUGUST. RIGHT NOW THE COLLEGE CONFERENCE ARE MAKING THEIR FINAL HIRES.  WE ANTICIPATE ALL THE COLLEGE HIRE WILL OCCUR BY THE 2ND WEEK IN JUNE. THEN THE LOWER LEVEL START TO GET ACTIVE AFTER THAT.  IT IS A TRICKEL DOWN EFFECT.  I KNOW THE WEBSITE LINK BELOW HAS A REGISTRATION SECTION SO THAT MIGHT HELP YOU GET THE BALL ROLLING.

WHEN THE SEASON STARTS TRY TO FIND AN ESTABLISHED OFFICIAL TO BE YOUR MENTOR. TAG ALONG WITH HIM/HER FOR FRIDAY NIGHT VARSITY GAME. YOU WILL LEARN AS YOU TAG ALONG AND ARE MENTORED. YOU WILL ALSO BEGIN ESTABLISHING A NETWORK TO HELP YOU ADVANCE AND LEARN.  YOU MIGHT WANT TO APPROACH YOUR 'NEW MAN' OR ROOKIE CLASS INSTRUCTOR.  BECAUSE YOU ARE RETIRED DOESN'T MEAN YOU ARE TOO OLD OR IT IS TOO LATE TO BEGIN OFFICIATING.  I HAVE WORKED A NUMBER OF GAME WITH OFFICIALS WHO WERE RETIRED AND THE YOUNGEST [EXCLUDING MYSELF] WAS 66 YEARS OLD.  WE HAD A BLAST AND THE GAME WAS OFFICITED WELL.  I THINK YOU WILL HAVE FUN. IT IS A GREAT WAY TO GET EXERCISE AND TO BE A PART OF THE GAME.  

I will share with you a ture story about an official who was retired and started officiating when he was 79 years old.  I was teaching the New Man's class about 15 years ago and one of the brand new officials - a 79 year old retired Navy cook, contacted our association the second week in September of that year and asked the same thing you did - he wanted to know who to beging officiating.  We told to sit in on the class and register. He did.  by the last week in october we had him working a freshman football gale at a local high school with myself and another experienced official.  He made the mistakes we expect a new man to make, he learned from them and the following week he did a little better.  The following year at age 80, I worked several lower division games with him and he kept improving. He used to tell me this was so much fun, he wished he'd started it sooner.  He grew leaps and bounds as an official and loved being on the field with the kids and the fellow officials.  His third year, he didn't sign up.  By the first week in September I called him to find out why he didn't "re-up".  I spoke with his daughter who said he had passed away two months prior from prostate cancer which he had been struggling with for 5 years.  She was so thankful that he had found officiating, he used to talk about it all the time, it had brought him such pleasure and joy and he kept asking his doctors get him stable again so he could officiate that season.  I kept in tough with his daughter through out the season and she said she wished he had found officiating sooner because it was the first time since her mother [the official's wife] had passed away that he felt purpose.  I offer this story to demonstrate the joy it can bring and to demonstrate you are never too old to begin officiating.
Best of luck and please keep me informed of your progress.

Vic Winnek
NCAA Football Official


Patrick
Thank you for your question.  I encourage you to contact the associations below to get started.  It is never too late to start officiating and it truly is a wonderful passion.  Below are some contact persons. I am not sure what part of Washington you reside in, so I have given you some website information and contact information for the entire state.  You are correct all officials start at the youth and lower division levels first while learing to officiate and learning the rules then work their way up to Varsity football then college and professional football.  There is no school per se, rather there is a state association that has local units that provide instruction and training.  Below should be enough information to answer your basic questions and to get you started. If you need more information please feel free to contact me.

Whether you are someone desiring to become an officials, or an official looking to transfer into the Pacific Northwest Football Officials Association [PNFOA], below find what steps you need to take to become part of the PNFOA. http://pnfoa.org/join.htm

New Official Transferring Official
What does it take to become an official?
All new PNFOA officials start in our Apprentice program. This two-year program entails weekly classroom work, beginning near the end of July and continuing throughout the season, where experience officials from our Association help you understand the National Federation of State High School Association (NFHS) Rule book. There will also be some on-field training prior to the beginning of the season. During the season, you will work non-Varsity contests; High School JV, Freshman, Middle School, Junior High and Little League games. These will allow you to apply the rules knowledge you obtained attending class as well as work on your on-field mechanics. There will also be a fee to join the Washington Officials Association (WOA), pay for the required manuals as well as a mandated State Patrol background check.

What’s required for a uniform and who pays for it?
You are required to have the complete uniform prior to working your first game. You are responsible for all costs associated with outfitting yourself. Depending on what you purchase, it is approximately $160 - $200 for equipment. However, there are programs available to help mitigate the cost. All members of PNFOA are considered independent contractors and as such, many expenses incurred during the season can be considered business expenses for tax purposes.

Where does PNFOA work?
Our service area stretches from Seattle east to Mt. Si and from the Shoreline school district up north to the Kent school district in the south. We provide officials for all high school, junior high and middle school games in this area as well as the officials for many of the junior football leagues.

What position will I work?
At the varsity level we utilize 5 man mechanics. A referee or white hat that is an experienced official and serves as a crew chief for each particular game. We have an umpire behind the defense, a back judge deep in the middle of the field and then a linesman and line judge on the sidelines. In many of the other classifications, we use 4 man mechanics and do not have a back judge for those contests. While all positions are open and it is good to get an understanding of each position, most new officials start out on the sideline as either a linesman or a line judge.

Do I have to have played football to be an official?
While an understanding of the game obtained by participating is sometimes helpful, it is not a requirement. Many officials have been former players and coaches, but as officials, you have a unique perspective in applying the rules on a fair and consistent basis that does not require you to have been a player.

What rules do the teams play by?
At our level, all the teams utilize the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) football rules. While many are familiar with the NFL and NCAA rules, the ones we officiate on Friday nights are slightly different in many aspects, with a focus on safety and sportsmanship.

How often do I get paid?
PNFOA pays once a year for all games fees as well as mileage for each game. The check is usually available by the second week in December.

Who are the best officials?
Well, that would be the crew you are working with each Friday night, under the lights at your next high school game, where the teams are playing hard, the fans are supportive and your crew is in the swing of the game, making sure each team has a fair and equal opportunity to win. Not a better place to be on a fall night then on the field. Come join us and see for yourself.

Who do I contact to join?
Contact the membership chairman or call us at 1-866-GO-PNFOA. You can also show up at any of our apprentice meetings starting in July. Someone will be in contact with you to let you know when the next meeting will be. Hope to see you soon.


Where are meetings held?
Meetings typically start in late June early July.
2011 General Membership Meetings
8/23 - Bellevue CC, 7pm
Business Meeting, Test @ 4-7pm
8/30 - Bellevue CC, 7pm
Test make-up, Hongis
9/6 - Bellevue CC, 7pm
9/13 - Bellevue CC, 7pm
9/20 - Bellevue CC, 7pm
10/4 - Bellevue CC, 7pm
10/18 - Bellevue CC, 7pm
BOD Nominations
11/1 - Bellevue CC, 7pm

PNFOA Assigning Secretary
PO Box 1011
Renton, WA 98057-1011

or contact
Washington Officials Association
435 Main Avenue South
Renton, WA 98057
Phone: 425-687-8009
Fax: 425-687-9476
www.woa-officials.com
Email: info@woa-officials.com
http://www.woa-officials.com/pdf/handbook/woa_handbook.pdf

Here are some additional/local contacts.  I am niot sure what part of Washington you are in but these contacts should help you with specific information:

BLUE MOUNTAIN
Lynn Irish Clark
930 Mountain Park Dr
Walla Walla, WA 99362
509.529.3122
509.529.5300
lclark@farmersagent.com

CHELAN COUNTY
Jacob Burkhart
518 N Minor Ave
E Wenatchee, WA 98802
509.8600275
rakeyjake@aol.com

COLUMBIA BASIN
Michael Valdez
101 Inglewood
Moses Lake, WA 98837
509.764.1791
509.855.3340
discoveryfordguy@msn.com

COLVILLE VALLEY
Scott Munson
PO Box 144
Colville, WA 99114
509.684.1825
509.685.6126
Smunson93@hotmail.com

EVERGREEN
John Williams
PO Box 1570
Battle Ground, WA 98604
360.887.3477
360.635.1010
glasstoy@q.com

INLAND EMPIRE
Scott Cordell
12107 N Morton Dr
Spokane, WA 99218
509.951.1365
cordell107@msn.com

LOWER COLUMBIA
Bob Rose
2616 Maryland St
Longview, WA 98632
360.636.1371
rosie23@adelphia.net

NORTH OLYMPIC
Mike Wilson
10566 Falk Rd NE
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
206.842.4310
360.808.3076
seahawk75@msn.com

OKANOGAN COUNTY
Rich Halterman
PO Box 173
Bridgeport, WA 98813
509.686.4961
riclyn@nwi.net

PACIFIC NORTHWEST
John Lindsey
19511 55th Ave NE
Seattle, WA 98155
206.367.8255
jwlassigner@comcast.net

PENINSULA
Kevin Mayo
3477 NE Partridge Hollow
Bremerton, WA 98310
360.479.8047
360.476.4658
pfoa98310@yahoo.com

SNOHOMISH COUNTY
Steve Jensen
209 158th St NW
Arlington, WA 98223
425.308.1024
skmjensen@aol.com

SOUTH SOUND
Tom Jones
1704 Darcy Ln
Olympia, WA 98501
360.357.8833
norjon34@comcast.net

SOUTHEASTERN WA
Karl Johanson
800 NW Larry
Pullman, WA 99163
509.334.5510
509.330.1880
karlmjohanson@gmail.com

SW WASHINGTON
Bob Berg
PO Box 568
Centralia, WA 98531
360.807.4772
360.269.6466
swwfoa@comcast.net

TRI CITIES
Jim Ryder
107 N 46th
W Richland, WA 99353
509.967.3005
509.942.2555
jimandlindaryder@verizon.net

WESTERN WA
Jan Wolcott
9502 180th Ave E
Sumner, WA 98390
253.826.2460
jswol@comcast.net
WHATCOM-SKAGIT

Larry LaBree
1404 Birch St
Bellingham, WA 98229
360.733.6009
llabree@comcast.net

YAKIMA VALLEY
Brad Cramer
8212 Summitview Ave
Yakima, WA 98908
509.945.5555
509.574.5821
bradcramer@clearwire.

Below is general information from th eNational Association of Sports Officials
http://www.naso.org/beofficial/

You've thought about becoming a football official and need a place to get started.
Find out about the local officials associations in your area. An officiating association is a group of officials who meet periodically to discuss rules, mechanics and philosophy. They are a great way for new officials to learn from veteran officials.

Attend a game in your area and ask the officials what association they belong to and whom to contact for information. The association will be a valuable pool of resources for training, obtaining games and getting to know the officiating community.

Attend association meetings. At those meetings, some held before the season starts, you can ask questions about rules, mechanics and positioning. Those sessions will be a foundation to get you started properly.

 
Physical Demands

You will be constantly on your feet. A wide vision of the playing field is a must. Quick reactions and speed are advantages. As the players' ages increase and the competitive levels increase, the physical demands will also increase.
 
Training

Expect lectures, demonstration and exercises on the basic rules at local association meetings.
 
Equipment

• Polished, black athletic shoes, preferably cleated.
• Striped socks.
• White knickers and a black belt.
• Collared striped shirt, both short and long sleeves.
• A fitted black hat with white piping.
• Officiating tools: flags, down indicator, beanbag, information cards, pencil, whistle, lanyard, chain clip, sports watch with timer, signal card, ball pressure tester.
• Estimated cost: $275. Veteran officials sometimes have "hand—me—downs" that help new officials get started.
 
Registration & Fees

Talk with officials at a game, contact the athletic department of a local high school or contact your local recreation department. They will be able to give you the name of the state governing body for high school athletics. You will be expected to complete a registration form for affiliation with a national, statewide or local association. Often there will be a fee that must be paid with this registration which goes toward additional officiating training and insurance. Often, with your state association fee, you will be provided rulebooks and other materials. The fees range from $10—$160.
 
Game Fees

Game fees vary widely based on the players’ age group, competitive level and the state you officiate in. You can expect the range of $10 for youth games to $85 for competitive high school varsity games.  
 
Help & Assistance

Ask a respected veteran official to be your mentor. That mentor will help answer your questions and provide crucial support. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about situations and rules. The more you talk about officiating, the more you will learn about it.
 
Certification

Here’s the path for starting and continuing your officiating career:

*The youth level: Many officials start at that level. Contact your local recreation department leaders. Your local association should also help you make contacts to get games. Pop Warner league offers youth games in many cities.

For information, contact:

Pop Warner Football
586 Middletown Blvd., Suite C-100
Langhorne, PA 19047
215/752-2691
www.popwarner.com
www.pwlsreg@aol.com USA Football
45 N Pennsylvania St
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317/614-7750
www.usafootball.com

*High school: After working some games, you may feel you have the skills and confidence to work higher level competition. Contact your state association for registration information.

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) is the nation’s governing body for high school athletics. Contact the NFHS for rulebooks, rule changes and information on your state association.

NFHS
P.O. Box 690
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317/972-6900

In most cases, state associations can put you in contact with a local officials association. NASO has more than 4,000 local officials associations in its database. Local officials associations assign games, many times offer mentoring programs and assist in training.

High school athletic directors, association assigners and other officials will help you get games. Attend local officiating camps and clinics. They are focused on helping umpires learn and improve.

 
Annual Recertification

Additional requirements may be a written test with a minimum passing score, payment of fees for the coming season and association meeting attendance.

WEB SITES
http://pnfoa.org/  Become a Pacific Northwest Football Official
http://www2.usafootball.com/contact_us/official Become an Official
o   Aloha Clinic – www.refereeclinic.com (Great digital collection of plays worth seeing)
o   JimTunney.com  (Great book on football officiating)
o   Tunneysideofsports.com   (Weekly newsletter worth receiving)
o   http://www.sccfoa.org/instructionalmaterials.asp (Wonderful instructional materials)
o   www.naso.org   (Worth joining if not already a member)