National Officials’ Group Elects New Officers and Board

(RACINE, Wis.) – "Be a ref. Make the Call!" is the new 30-second public service television announcement (PSA) created by the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO). The 30-second announcement is in response to the association’s finding in a January survey that in 90 percent of the states the person responsible for high school sports officiating says there is a shortage of officials. The survey further cited that 68 percent of the respondents felt that the shortage could have an impact on the scheduling of games in the future.

"Our goal is to help local associations recruit talented people and to put a positive impression of officials before the public," said NASO President Barry Mano, whose organization is solely funding the project. "NASO has provided the tool, now it’s up to local officials to put the plan into action in their community,"

This is first PSA created by NASO in its 21-year history. A print and radio version may follow.

There are two versions of the 30-second PSA that was directed by Hollywood commercial and documentary producer Leland Hammerschmitt. Filmed in Milwaukee, the PSA highlights seven officials citing personal reasons why officiating is meaningful. The fast-paced PSA provides the association’s website address (www.naso.org) as a source for additional information and a toll-free number (1-800/733-6100) for viewers to call. Local versions can be customized with a local contact phone number.

"It is our belief that local sports programs, as well as national programs, will have an interest in supporting this campaign," said Mano.

Several local cable stations across the nation have already agreed to run the spot during high school sports programming.

"It’s easy for the fan to sit in front of the television and say ‘I can do that’", says Mano. "We’re saying, ‘Come on! Let us teach you how.’"

For more information about how to become an official, contact NASO at 1-800/733-6100. They will send callers a free brochure describing the nuances of officiating.

To view the public service announcement, visit the NASO website at http://www.naso.org/naso_psa/video.html