Officials Advisory Committee
Minutes
Mar. 17, 2003 • 10 a.m.
FHSAA Headquarters
Gainesville, Florida
The Officials Advisory Committee met in the office of the FHSAA on Monday, March 17, 2003, at 10 a.m. Those present were: Bob McKinney, New Smyrna Beach (Basketball-Seat #1) Theodore Brown, Winter Haven (Basketball-Seat #2); James Tucker, Jacksonville (Football-Seat #2); Mark Hewitt, Oviedo (Wrestling); Thom Smith, Boca Raton (Soccer-Seat #1); Fred Reese, Melbourne (Soccer-Seat #2); William Tallant, Hollywood (Baseball-Seat #1); Arturo Vazquez, Tampa (Baseball-Seat #2); and Ed Whipple, Lake Worth (Softball); Mike Knowles, Bradenton (NFOA State Director and ex-officio member). Those not in attendance were: Pete Newton, Boca Raton (Football-Seat #1) and Tracie Watkins, Miami (Volleyball). FHSAA staff members Jordan Cobb, Technology Services Coordinator; Jack Watford, Director of Communications; Ronald L. Allen, M. Denarvise Thornton, Cecelia S. Jackson, Gary V. Pigott and Paul K. McLaughlin were also in attendance. Guests included Dick Hochman, Fort Lauderdale (Football & Baseball) and George Sansone, Punta Gorda (Wrestling).
Following housekeeping announcements and introductions, Fred Reese was elected Chairperson.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Recommendation #1: (March 11, 2002 meeting) Recommend the Officials Advisory Committee maintain support for the assignment of a full-time “Supervisor of Officials” by the FHSAA Commissioner. The sub-committee of Thom Smith, Ed Whipple, Bob McKinney and Fred Reese will assemble in the near future to formulate possible job requirements and job description to forward to the FHSAA Commissioner for consideration.
Recommendation #2: (March 11, 2002 meeting) Recommend the on-line filing opportunity for unsportsmanlike conduct reports. Jordan Cobb addressed the group regarding this issue and hopefully this opportunity for filing will be available in the very near future.
Recommendation #3: (March 11, 2002 meeting) Recommend the preparation of Officials exams in the Spanish language. This recommendation was piloted during the 2002-2003 school year, in the sport of soccer, and was not met with great success. Therefore, this Spanish adoption of the examinations may or may not be pursued.
Recommendation #4: (March 11, 2002 meeting) Recommend the officials promotional points include points for attendance at local association training sessions and meetings.
Recommendation #5: (September 23, 2002) Pete Newton made the motion and Mike Knowles seconded a recommendation to implement a seven-man officials crew for state football semi-final and championship games. (On Board Agenda for March 31.)
Recommendation #6: Recommend all baseball and softball schools schedule a minimum of three (3) home games requiring a three-person umpiring crew.
Recommendation #7: Recommend to implement incentive issue for officials that provides for allowing five-consecutive-year Rank 1 officials to be exempt from examination for a specific sport on the sixth year with the understanding that after the exempt year, the exam would be required and that if the Rank 1 level was maintained the following year, the exam would be exempt on an alternating yearly basis.
Recommendation #8: Recommend the expansion/re-organization of the Officials Advisory Committee be implemented for the year 2003-2004. (On Board Agenda for March 31.) The present committee is comprised of 12 members – two officials for the sports of football, basketball, baseball and soccer and one official for each of the sports of volleyball, wrestling and softball. Those officials who are registered and are in good standing with the FHSAA elect the members. This proposal will increase representation equally for all sports providing four representatives – one from each administrative geographical region of the state per sport and increase the committee from 12 to 28 members.
Recommendation #9: Recommend the precision time system be implemented as a pilot program at the 2003-2004 State Basketball Tournament.
Recommendation #10: Officials exam procedures. The proposed changes submitted by official Randy Merrill were discussed at length and the Committee agreed there is merit to the proposals and recommends that the FHSAA structure exams beginning in 2003-2004 similar to the exams presented for 2002-2003 in the sports of baseball and softball, for all sports, i.e. a mix of true-false questions along with “multiple choice application” questions. Other aspects of the proposal, such as test question bank, also are recommended as soon as feasible as well as on-line testing when technology so allows.
Discussion Items:
1. Change of sports officials’ patch/logo: Jack Watford, Director of Communications for the FHSAA, presented the newly adopted FHSAA officials’ logo/patch that will be implemented for officials during the 2003-2004 school year. Each registered official will receive two free patches upon registration. The use of the new patch for regular season contests for 2003-2004 is optional. However, the new patch will be mandatory for all state series competition, effective 2003-2004.
2. Mr. Watford also requested that the Officials Advisory Committee submit criteria for officials’ nominees to the FHSAA Hall of Fame. Mike Knowles, William Tallant, Ed Whipple and Cecilia Jackson will work on this project.
3. Contest Fees: Mike Knowles presented an in depth review of officials fees per sport in comparison with other states and national averages. The present sub-committee of Mike Knowles, Arturo Vasquez and Thom Smith, with the assistance of Ron Allen, will continue to meet and hopefully present additional information on proposed fee raises for officials, with the inclusion of a review of the mileage allowance. Officials’ fees for 3 out of 5 game matches for volleyball were passed unanimously; the recommended fees are District - $42.00, Region $44.00, State $49.00.
4. Officials Banquet: Former committee member, George Sansone reported that it was the opinion of the sub-committee on officials’ banquet, comprised of Jim Tucker, Paul McLaughlin and himself, that an annual officials’ banquet not be pursued at this time. In lieu of a banquet, efforts should be exerted by the FHSAA to expand and upgrade the recognition of officials.
5. Volleyball Officials Uniform Change: This item (submitted by Susan Floyd) will be referred to the Volleyball Officials Advisory Committee at the September 2003 meeting.
6. Jordan Cobb addressed the Officials Advisory Committee relative to on-line registration, on-line exam administration and on-line submission of unsportsmanlike conduct reports.
7. A recommendation by Winter Springs High School athletic director Rick Tribit for the review of wrestling officials’ inconsistency of officiating was referred to the Wrestling Officials Advisory Committee for the September, 2003, meeting.
8. The following discussion items were also referred to the Officials Advisory Committee’s September, 2003 meeting agenda:
a) Baseball state series compensation for game rainouts or cancellations - submitted by Bill Tallant.
b) FHSAA assignments to state series competition and the restriction of various counties from assignments – submitted by Bill Tallant.
c) The length of JV games - submitted by Bill Tallant.
d) The selection procedures of umpires for baseball playoffs – submitted by Bill Tallant.
e) The use of the mandatory running clock for the sport of football – submitted by Bill Tallant.
f) The evaluation of officials by coaches at state series level in the sport of soccer – submitted by Thom Smith.
g) Review of the mandate by Ron Allen for soccer officials to leave the field immediately at the conclusion of the game - submitted by Thom Smith.
h) The selection of a sports specific official to be appointed to each coaches advisory committee – submitted by Thom Smith.
The meeting adjourned at 3:50 p.m.