For Release: March 6, 2001

National Meeting to Focus on Finding Sports Officials

(RACINE, Wis.) – The National Association of Sports Officials (NASO), will host "Successful Officiating 2001," a national conference, on June 15-19, 2001, in Norfolk, Va. The Norfolk Waterside Marriott will be the host site.

The conference will draw officiating leaders from the major professional leagues, collegiate, high school and recreational levels. Discussions will center on the recruiting and retaining of officials and other critical issues affecting the industry.

"There is a serious problem across the nation in recruiting new sports officials and then retaining those who give it a try," said NASO President Barry Mano. "NASO’s unique position in the officiating world makes it the natural host to bring the important leaders of various sports organizations together for such an event."

According to data obtained by NASO, the number of officials is declining at the high school level, yet the number of games scheduled have increased. This has placed an enormous burden on assignors and local association’s to provide competent officials.

"This decline is creating a near crisis situation in some states as programs are forced to cancel events due to a lack of availability of officials," says Mano. "Combine that with the poor sportsmanship being demonstrated at events and then factor in other issues and you can understand that there is a serious problem before us."

The 2001 event is the 19th national conference conducted by the association in its 21-year history.

The conference is a combination of speakers, panel sessions and breakout sessions providing attendees with hands-on experience and problem solving participation. NASO has lined-up some heavy-hitters to serve as guest speakers and panelists. Scheduled to participate are retired NFL referee Jim Tunney, NBA referee Tommy Nuñez, as well as renowned sports journalist Frank Deford.

Other conference participants include: National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Executive Director Bob Kanaby; San Francisco attorney Don Collins; Executive Director of the Texas Sports Officials Association Tim Crowley; NFHS Associate Director Mary Struckhoff; Michigan High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Executive Director and NASO Board Director Jack Roberts; MHSAA Supervisor of Officials Bill Bupp; Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation Field Operations Supervisor Jeff Murray; Northwest Missouri State University Director of Intramural Sports Bob Lade; Cardinal Basketball Association (Va.) assignor Joyce Sisson; Milwaukee Public Schools Athletic Director Russ Thomas; NHL Officiating Assistant Bryan Lewis; Canadian Amateur Hockey League Commissioner Norm Dueck; Citizenship Through Sports Alliance chair Daniel Boggan Jr.; Referee editor Bill Topp and associate editors Jeffrey Stern and Jim Arehart; and NASO Public Relations Manager Bob Still.

Directors of the NASO board will also be actively involved in the conference panels and more. They include: NASO chair and Director of the United States Soccer Federation’s Officiating Department Julie Ilacqua; NCAA veteran official and vice chair John Clougherty; NASO Treasurer and retired NFL referee Red Cashion; NASO Secretary and retired Pac-10 women’s basketball officials coordinator Carter Rankin; NASO President and Founder Barry Mano; NCAA football and baseball umpire Randy Christal; Fox 40 International CEO Ron Foxcroft; Rockford Illinois Officials Association President Gary Gullett; NCAA Women’s Basketball Coordinator Marcy Weston; and Arizona basketball official Gary Whelchel.

For more conference and registration information, visit the NASO website at www.naso.org or call toll-free 1-800-733-6100.