Expert: Vic Winnek - 12/8/2006

Question
Thanks for your response and the great advice.  One other question:  It is a goal of mine to eventually officiate in the Southeastern or Atlantic Coast Conferences.  I realize it is a long shot, but I believe having a goal like this will help me work even harder to become the best official I can be.  I've been told by other officials that the SEC and ACC usually get their officials from smaller college conferences.  That being said, how long into my high school officiating career should I wait to apply to a small college conference?  I know there's no set number of years of experience needed, but is there a range of years that you might suggest?

Also, when I begin officiating high school varsity games, at what position am I likely to start?  Will I need to get experience at all the positions if I want to become a college official?

Thanks again!
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Mr. Winnek,
I will be officiating football starting in 2007 for my state's high school football association.  I'll only be 23 years old but I actually look younger than that, so I worry that coaches won't take me seriously as a football official and that I may have trouble getting along with officials much older than myself.  Are these two fears reasonable to expect?  How do older officials usually approach working with younger officials like myself?  I don't want the more experienced officials to think I'm some punk kid that thinks he knows it all, but I want to appear confident when on the field.  Any advice would be appreciated.  Thank you.
-----Answer-----
Mike,
First welcome to officiating.  We can always use good officials.  Age 23 is the perfect age to start officiating so no worries about your age.  As far as working with older officials, there should be no problem, we all were 23 once and were rookie officials.  Learn as much as you can from the older officials.  If you are eager to learn, you study the rules and mechanics, you try to be the best official you can be no one will have a problem with that.

Don't worry about how old you look, in the long run it will be an advantage if you want to advance to the upper ranks.  Coaches, players and fellow officials will take you serious as an official if you act like one, know the rules, are always in the proper position using the proper mechanics and if you use good judgement (which you will learn).

Some other advice:
1. find a good veteran official to be your mentor and follow him to his games;
2. Work as many scrimmages and games as you can (lower division high school, pop warner, etc.)
3. Be willing to work as a 4th or 5th man for free;
4. Study the rules And KNOW Rule 2 like the back of your hand;
5. be coachable, accept constructive criticism and don't be defensive or argumentative;
6. Have fun and enjoy the game, treat every game as it is the super bowl even if it the the 8 AM pee wee game at the local park.

Lastly, Football officials are the last bastion of integrity the game has, we are unbiased arbiters of the game who are responsible for equitably applying and enforcing the rule and administering just penalties; we are charged with the duty of standing guarding over player safety and sportsmanship.  Don't ever cheat the game.  This is my creed and  I believe it is true and should be adhered to.


Good luck to you.  Please feel free to stay in contact with me when you start.

Answer
FOLLOW-UP REPLY

Mike,

When to start applying the college conferences is somewhat subjective.  Don't apply until you are ready.  You need to know the rules like the back of your hand before you begin applying to the D-1 conferences.  When you start officiating, find a mentor to guide you and advise you when you are ready.

I know some officials who were working at the D-1 level in their 3rd year of officiating (it helps if you are related to an NFL official); others who were fast track officials were working D-1AA or D-1A football in their 7th or 8th year.

I myself was able to sit in the college instructional class my 3rd year of officiating and did not begin applying to college conferences until my 8th year of officiating.  I know others who are some of the finest officials around and they began applying in their 5th, 6th, 7th year and did not get hired until their 18th and 20th year.  One of those officials will be working the BCS National Championship game this year.

So to answer your question, don't apply until you are ready and have sufficient experience to handle the next level.

Lastly, you will most likely end up working all positions as a newer official. I would assume you will start off as a HeadLinesman or Line Judge.  Many officials become specialists working just one position or they are only Deep officials (BJ,FJ,SJ) or Flank officials (HL, LJ).  I work all positions  and enjoy all positions.  At the college level I have been a Line Judge and Referee for the past 6 years, this year I was moved to Back Judge.  On any crew I work I am always designated as the back up Umpire or Referee should they go down.  That is because I am very proficient at those positions.  During off weekends from college football I will work a Thursday and Friday high school game and will work where ever I'm needed.  I suggest you learn every position WELL.

Good luck and please stay in touch next season.  I wish you the best of luck and look forward to sharing this wonderful football officiating fraternity with you.