Officials Advisory Committee

Minutes
Sept. 17, 2001 • 10 a.m.
FHSAA Office
Gainesville, Florida


The Officials Advisory Committee met in the office of the FHSAA on Monday, September 17, 2001, at 10:00 AM. Those present were Tina Spann, Jacksonville; Mitchell Kaufman, Coral Springs; Theodore Brown, Winter Haven; Fred Reese, Melbourne; George Sansone, Punta Gorda; Leonard Kapacinkas, DeBary; Arturo Vazquez, Tampa; Robert Decker, Tavares; and Mike Knowles (NFIOA State Director and ex-officio member), Bradenton. Those not present: Kevin Hines, Orlando. FHSAA Staff Members Ronald L. Allen, M. Denarvise Thornton, Cecelia S. Jackson, Gary V. Pigott and Paul K. McLaughlin were also in attendance.

Following introductions, Tina Spann of Jacksonville was selected by the committee to serve as Chairperson.

The minutes of the last meeting on March 12, 2001, were reviewed. All Recommendations from that meeting were supported by the committee.

Various topics from the agenda were discussed. However, the paramount discussion centered around the evaluation of officials to be assigned to state championship competition. The committee unanimously supports the FHSAA Board of Directors commitment to officiating excellence at all levels. The committee also supports the concern expressed by the FHSAA Board of Directors for an evaluation process of state championship, selected officials. The committee does not, however, support the use of “private commercial” camps for the evaluation process. The committee recommends that the evaluation process be handled within the FHSAA organization, and take place at regional field clinics established by the FHSAA for that purpose, as well as traditional field clinic components. This change should be implemented as quickly as possible.


Recommendation #1: Delete private commercial camps for evaluation of officials as a selection criteria for state series championship assignment.

Background Information: The camps as now organized present a hardship to many officials who cannot afford the fee to attend or time required to attend due to job responsibility, family commitments, etc. The proposed FHSAA regional field clinics with the evaluation component included would afford a fair opportunity for all officials to attend, and would be held on the weekend, Friday evening through Sunday.

Alternative: Delete the evaluation process totally or continue with the private commercial camps now in place in the sports of baseball, basketball and volleyball.

Recommendation: Delete the use of private commercial camps for the evaluation of officials for state championship assignment and replace those “camps” with FHSAA sponsored regional field clinics with a “championship official” evaluation component included.

Rationale: Expense and inconvenience of the present commericial camp system.

Impact on Current Rules/Regulations: Enable all officials to attend and have an opportunity to be evaluated regardless of their economic status and/or commitments and responsibilities to their vocation and families.

Data Source: Officials Advisory Committee


Recommendation #2: Delete mandatory field clinics as now organized.

Background Information: The committee felt the clinics are not as effective due to the fact that FHSAA personnel is not involved. Therefore, the incentive for attendance has diminished and the promotional point system does not suffice as an incentive to attend.

Alternative: Discontinue all field clinics or revert back to the concept of regional field clinics as was done for many years by the Association.

Recommendation: Delete mandatory field clinics which are presently voluntarily hosted by associations and return to a regional format where hosts are appointed by the FHSAA staff, organized and conducted by the FHSAA staff.

Rationale: Increase attendance.

Impact on Current Rules/Regulations: Although the committee recommends a change, FHSAA records indicate that the process presently in place (for a one year period) tripled attendance of officials. Four hundred nine (409) officials attended the year before implementation (1999-2000 school year) and over 1200 attended during the 2000-2001 school year.

Data Source: Officials Advisory Committee


A sub-committee of Mr. Kaufman, Mr. Brown, Mr. Sansone, Mr. Vazquez and Mr. Knowles will convene in the very near future to discuss the logistics for the proposed re-organization of field clinics and officials evaluation for championship assignment. This meeting will be held in the Sarasota area.