Expert: Vic Winnek - 5/26/2007

Question
I am having trouble finding clinics to go beyond what the state offers(requires) to call pop-warner through high school.  I want something that will also help beyond the high school level, because I hope to one day call college football.  Are there any organizations or clinics offered on the east coast(NC area)?  Thanks

Answer
Rusty,

There are several Excellent Football Officiating Camps through out the US.  I am familiar with several of them.  Below is a list of camps and cities.  They each have web sites you can contact.  I am not familiar with any officiating camps in North or South Carolina that have a national reputation.

You are doing the right thing by going to camps and clinics to get better.  We as officials must always continue our education and learn to evolve with the game.

I personally just returned from the Big 12 Mini clinic in Colorado Springs, conducted by Walt Anderson and Byron Boston.  It was an excellent clinic!  Very well organized and instructed.  With the advent of regionalization of officials and the combining of conference personnel (i.e. Big 12, Mountain West MWC, Southland Conference, Western Athletic Conference WAC, SEC) you can expect more collegiate football officials' clinic in the next few years. I recommend you go when you get a chance.  

The NFL conducts Grass Root football officials clinics through out the US.  I suggest going to one of these one day clinics at some point in your career.  They are very good  and they do have them in the South East part of the US.

Dick Honig (Big 10 Michigan) and Chad Brown (NFL umpire Southern California - Personal Touch Football Officials Camp) both have camps that have fine reputations.

My personal opinion is that Bar none Ken Rivera's Reno Football Officials Camp is the best camp for teaching and getting you exposure to Division 1 Football Officiating Supervisors and the NFL.  It is geared toward college officials who know and work 7 man mechanics.  If you want to work college football this is the camp to go to when you are ready to move up.

Ken Rivera also puts on an EXCELLENT High School clinic in Fresno, California.  It is a bit costly but I recommend you save for it and make the trip next year.  Well worth the money spent.  Also Dick Honigs is well worth the money in Michigan.

2007 Clinics

Make the Call 2007
Date: from March 2, 2007 to March 3 2007 - Completed
Location: Nacogdoches , TX

Northern Kentucky Football Officials Clinic
Date: March 3, 2007 - Completed
Location: Independence, KY

Cougar Owl Clinic
Date: from March 23, 2007 to March 24 2007 - Completed
Location: Houston, TX

Blinn College Show Me Officials Clinic
Date: from March 30, 2007 to March 31 2007 - Completed
Location: Brenham, TX

Great Lakes Collegiate Football Officiating Clinic
Date: from April 12, 2007 to April 14 2007 - Completed
Location: East Lansing, MI

9th Annual Minnesota Football Officials Clinic
Date: from April 20, 2007 to April 21 2007 - Completed
Location: Blaine, MN

*****NFL Grass Roots Officials Clinic********
Date: April 29, 2007 - Completed
Location: East Elmhurst, NY

******NFLRA/NADFO Collegiate Football Officiating Clinic***
Date: from May 11, 2007 to May 12 2007 - Completed
Location: West Bradenton, FL

Liberty Bell Football Officials
Date: May 12, 2007 - Completed
Location: Lafayette Hills, PA

San Antonio Officials Clinic
Date: from May 18, 2007 to May 19 2007 - Completed
Location: San Antonio, TX

West Texas Football Officials Clinic
Date: from May 18, 2007 to May 19 2007 - Completed
Location: El Paso, TX


Sioux Empire Football Officials Camp
Date: from June 14, 2007 to June 15 2007
Location: Sioux Falls, SD


1 ***************Reno Football Officials Camp*************
Date: from June 12, 2007 to June 22 2007
Location: Reno, NV


Northern Illinois Football Officiating Mechanics Camp
Date: from June 6, 2007 to June 23 2007
Location: Chicago, IL


************Fresno Football Officials Camp**********
Date: from June 17, 2007 to June 25 2007
Location: Fresno, CA


Indiana Football Officials Clinic
Date: July 14, 2007
Location: Indianapolis, IN


Central Football Officials Clinic
Date: from July 13, 2007 to July 15 2007
Location: Chicago, IL


Mid-Michigan High School Football Clinic
Date: July 28, 2007
Location: Flint, MI


NASO Summit
Date: from July 29, 2007 to July 31 2007
Location: Denver, CO


IACAO High School Football Officials Clinic
Date: August 11, 2007
Location: Naperville, IL


Michigan High School Football Clinic
Date: August 11, 2007
Location: Dewitt, MI


Greater Detroit High School Football Officiating Clinic
Date: August 19, 2007
Location: Birmingham, MI

I hope this information concerning Football Officials Camps and clinics has been helpful.

Best of luck,
Victor C. Winnek
NCAA Football Official