Expert: Vic Winnek - 7/2/2007

Question
Hey Vic!  Jusy curious if you found out anything In Tennessee that could help me get on the right track to eventually officiating some college ball? Thanks for your insight!!

Answer
Scot
I have not forgotten about you!  I have been e-mailing and leaving messages with people in Tennessee every other day.  I apologize for the delay in getting you the information but I have not had anyone return my calls given the Fourth of July Holiday and the fact that School just got out and many of the contact persons are educators and are on vacation.  Below please find the best contact information I could get.  I have several other names and numbers but they either no longer officiate or could not assist.  I hope the leg work I have done is helpful.  Please understand the delay was due to trying to narrow down the contact list for you over these first few weeks of summer.  I have become very frustrated with some of the contacts and their lack of follow through responsiveness. So I’m sure you too feel the frustration and I’m sorry your entre to officiating is met with this delay.  But give it a chance I think you ill enjoy the experience.


As you know you must start out learning to officiate at the High School level first [learning the rules, application, philosophies, mechanics, etc] before you can advance into the college ranks.  The High school ranks is the training ground where you can develop your aptitude and be seen by College officials who can mentor you.
www.tssaa.org/Officials/registration.htm

You can contact Mrs. Terry Hillier 615 889-6740 go@tssaa.org   She is the name I keep getting.  I have not been able to contact her directly the past week an a half for you, but I suggest you contact her
www.tssaa.org

www.setfoa.org      The Southeast Tennessee Football Officials Association supplies officials for football contests at the pee-wee through high school levels in Chattanooga / Hamilton County and surrounding areas. The association is a member of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association and is governed by an internally elected board of control. How To Become An Official in the Southeast Tennessee area  If you would like to join us the easiest way is to just come to a meeting. They meet at the Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga weekly from July through October. Meetings begin in mid July with an annual cookout and end the Monday following the last regular season high school game with an end of the year banquet. New members need to register with the TSSAA prior to August 1. They will be happy to help you with the registration process. They also have a training officer that will work with all of our new members to help them progress and enjoy officiating football.  Contact them at contact@setfoa.org

Region One Football Officials Association meeting  7/26/2006 - 7/26/2006
Location: Kingsport, TN
6:30 pm: Region One Football Officials Association meeting at Daniel Boone High School.  All persons interested in officiating youth, junior high or high school football should attend. Free.

www.naso.org  National association of sports officials can also provide you contact info.

I hope this is of assistance.  As for advancing - when you get started learn Rule 2 like the back of your hand - know that verbatim I promise you it will help you in the long run.  Then study you mechanics and work as many games as you can at any level.  The more snaps you get the better you are bound to be.  Try to find a senior official to mentor you, After about 5 years in to Federation football ask if you can just sit in on NCAA classes.  Get to know the college officials.  You reputation on and off the field is important.  Work on your people skills on and off the field and you will see the advancement to what ever level you want to attain.
Best of Luck
Victor Winnek
California Football Officials Association