Officials Advisory Committee
Minutes
October 19, 2004 • 10 a.m.
FHSAA Headquarters
Gainesville, Florida
The Officials Advisory Committee met in the office of the FHSAA on Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2004 at 10 a.m. Those members present were: Pat Fairfax (Wrestling, Sec. 1); Thom Powers (Football, Sec. 3); Jon Krug (Baseball, Sec. 1); Ecitrym LaMarr (Basketball, Sec. 1); John Lavin (Football, Sec. 2); Steve LeBruno (Volleyball, Sec. 2); Mike Puleo (Wrestling, Sec. 3); George Sansone (Wrestling, Sec. 4); Thom Smith (Soccer, Sec. 4); Bill Tallant (Baseball, Sec. 4); Stephen Fredrickson (Football, Sec. 1), Arturo Vazquez (Baseball, Sec. 3); Ed Whipple (Softball, Sec. 4); and Roy Getzoff (Football, Sec. 4).
FHSAA staff members present were: John A. Stewart, Associate Commissioner of Athletic Operations; Cecelia Jackson, Director of Athletics; Paul McLaughlin, Director of Athletics; Gary Pigott, Associate Director of Athletics, M. Denarvise Thornton, Associate Director of Athletics; Tamara J. Wilsey, Associate Director of Athletics, and Shanell Young, Administrative Assistant.
Members not in attendance were Ted Brown (Basketball, Sec.3); Marilyn Booher (Softball, Sec. 2); Scott Burkett (Softball, Sec. 3), Christine Epperly (Soccer, Sec. 2); Carlos Fenn (Volleyball, Sec. 3); Mark Hewitt (Wrestling, Sec. 2); Leonard Kapacinskas (Baseball, Sec. 2); Helen Kelchner (Volleyball, Sec. 1); Tracy Watkins (Volleyball, Sec. 4); Freddie Williams (Basketball, Sec. 4); Mike Knowles (Florida Representative to NFOA).
I. WELCOME, INTRODUCTION, GENERAL INFORMATION
Dr. Stewart called the meeting to order at 10:10 a.m. He welcomed the committee members and acknowledged their dedication to their sport in dealing with the rescheduling of the meeting due to Hurricane Frances. There were brief introductions of the FHSAA staff and officials in attendance. Dr. Stewart reviewed the expense report forms.
The committee unanimously elected George Sansone as Chairperson.
II. SPORTS REPORTS
A. BASEBALL/SOFTBALL
The committee brought forth the following recommendations for action:
1. Create a “school” or “camp” for umpires to attend as part of the selection process for state series softball assignments
MOTION: Thom/ 2nd Fairfax
OAC 1st READING: 14-0 Approved (10/04)
2. Sub-varsity baseball games shall not start a new inning after 2 hours from scheduled start time
MOTION: Getzoff/ 2nd Lavin
OAC 1st READING: 25-0 Approved (9/03)
ADAC 1st READING: 8-0 Approve (1/04)
OAC 2nd READING: 14-0 Approve (10/04)
3. Assign 4 umpires from an association to work all games at State Baseball Finals
MOTION: Fredrickson/ 2nd Getzoff
OAC 1st READING: 25-0 Approved (9/03)
ADAC 1st READING: 8-0 Disapprove (1/04)
OAC 2nd READING: 14-0 Approve (10/04)
B. BASKETBALL
The committee brought forth the following recommendations for action:
1. All officials from a crew must wear identical jackets to insure uniform consistency
MOTION: Getzoff/ 2nd Fredrickson
OAC 1st READING: 25-0 Approved (9/03)
OAC 2nd READING: 14-0 Approve (10/04)
2. Friday night’s attendance at basketball field clinics for FHSAA football officials should be waived if assigned to an FHSAA game and have prior written permission
NO ACTION: Current practice.
Discussion: Review of the Precision Timing System, NFHS mechanics, and District officials’ selection process.
C. FOOTBALL
No recommendations submitted.
Discussion: Football play-off crew submission date should be October 15, spring football field clinics were a good idea, and muster reports need to reflect field clinics from the seasons prior to maintaining the Acceleration database.
D. SOCCER
No recommendations submitted.
E. VOLLEYBALL
No recommendations submitted.
F. WRESTLING
No recommendations submitted.
III. GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS
RECOMMENDATION # 1
ITEM: Officials’ Patches
RECOMMENDATION: To distribute one patch for each sport officiated
MOTION: No action was taken. Current FHSAA practice is to distribute one patch per sport officiated each year. Additional patches are available for a purchase price of $1.
RECOMMENDATION # 2
ITEM: Officials Closed Book Examination Requirement
RECOMMENDATION: To develop an open book/online examination process. DISCUSSION: FHSAA staff reviewed a working copy of how open book examinations may be implemented in Florida. There will be an option for the open book examination for any official who does not want to officiate at the state series level. Closed book tests will be administered for officials who want to officiate at the state series level.
MOTION: Fairfax/ 2nd McKinney
OAC 1st READING: 11-3 Approved
RECOMMENDATION # 3
ITEM: Ranking of Officials
RECOMMENDATION: Create a subcommittee to restructure ranking system. Create a two-tier system: one tier for local district games, and one tier for State Series Contests. Advanced level training, physical fitness standards and peer evaluations will determine State Rank.
MOTION: Smith / 2nd Brown to table
OAC 1st READING: 25-0 Tabled
MOTION: Smith/ 2nd Fairfax
OAC 2nd READING: 25-0 Tabled
RECOMMENDATION # 4
ITEM: Officials Tests
RECOMMENDATION: Photo identification is required to take an FHSAA officials examination.
MOTION: Getzoff / 2nd LaMarr to approve
OAC 1ST READING: 22-3 Approved
MOTION: Getzoff/ 2nd Fairfax
OAC 2nd READING: 14-0 Approved
IV. OPEN DISCUSSION
1. Little or no security for officials at some game sites was brought up by Bob McKinney. Dr. Stewart reminded the committee that any concerns need to be reported as a miscellaneous report to the FHSAA Office. Each school’s administration is aware of the school’s responsibility to officials.
2. Ms. Wilsey reviewed the 2004 President’s Meeting in Tampa and the new format. This upcoming year’s meeting will most likely include a President’s only session on Friday night and a Saturday session similar to this year’s. The committee recommended that associations be asked to present successful programs that work for them in 2005.
3. Ms. Wilsey also unveiled the minimum requirements to be eligible for the Inaugural Officials Association of the Year Award. Mr. Whipple was nominated to sit-in on the selection process along with FHSAA staff. Applications will be available January 1.
4. Dr. Stewart addressed the committee about the abuse of ancillary fees throughout the state. Many school-based personnel have contacted the FHSAA about their unhappiness with increases in these fees in addition to the pay increase supported by the Board of Directors in June. Dr. Stewart reminded the committee that ALL fees are to be negotiated between the parties involved.
5. Thom Smith brought up the concern of not having enough soccer officials available for state series games because many officials did not attend the required field clinic due to hurricanes. Staff understands his concerns, but does not believe that there will be a problem at the State Finals.
6. The committee asked Dr. Stewart to review the ranking system for officials who take a year’s leave of absence, especially those who are serving in the war in the Middle East. Dr. Stewart will review each request on a case-by-case basis.
7. The subject and timeline of on-line submission of Unsportsmanlike Conduct Reports was brought up again. The FHSAA is still working with the software developer on the creation of the report. Dr. Stewart will accept scanned reports from officials who have the availability.
8. Lastly, state finals mementos were discussed. In addition to this year’s certificates, a souvenir will be presented to each official.
V. ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Smith motioned and Mr. Getzoff seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 2:50 p.m.