NASO Conference Opens Today

(NORFOLK, Va.) — Leaders from various national and local officiating associations have gathered in Norfolk today to begin a three-day conference addressing issues facing the officiating industry. Hosted by the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO), the focus of the event will be on recruiting new officials for youth and high school level programs.

"We have gathered here in Norfolk to find solutions to issues facing our very survival," said NASO Chair Julie Ilacqua during the opening reception conducted at the Marriott Waterside Hotel.

The conference’s focus was spurred by the concern of officiating leaders that it is becoming more difficult to find and keep sports officials. In January, the organization surveyed every high school governing body and discovered that 90 percent believe there is a shortage of officials for their programs. The survey identified poor sportsmanship as the primary reason for the decline in registrations in recent years.

Participating in the conference as speakers are: former NFL referee Jim Tunney; Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Executive Director Jack Roberts; San Francisco official and lawyer Don Collins; University of Texas Intramural Program Director Darci Doll; Texas Association of Sport Officials Executive Director Tim Crowley; National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Assistant Director Mary Struckhoff; Commander Steven C. Lowry, public affairs officer of the Navy Recruiting Command; MHSAA Assistant Director Bill Bupp; Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation Field Operations Supervisor Jeff Murray; Rockford (Ill.) Officials Association member Gary Gullett; Northwest Missouri State University Intramural Director Bob Lade; NBA referee Tommy Nuñez; NASO President Barry Mano; Virginia officials association leader Joyce Sisson; Russ Thomas, Sports Supervisor for the Milwaukee Public Schools Sports Athletics Division; former NHL Supervisor of Officials Bryan Lewis; NFHS Executive Director Bob Kanaby; NFL Director of Officiating Mike Periera and Citizenship Through Sports Alliance Chair Dan Boggan Jr.

At a banquet tomorrow evening, the 18,000-member association will present its coveted Gold Whistle Award to NHL referee Paul Stewart for his community service and the NASO Medallion to former NFL Senior Director of Officiating Jerry Seeman for his significant contributions to the association.

At the conclusion of the educational sessions on Monday, NASO President Barry Mano will introduce a new public service announcement created by the association that will help local officiating organizations promote in their community the need for new officials.