Sports Officials’ Conference to Evaluate Evaluations

(RACINE, Wis.) — The National Association of Sports Officials (NASO), in cooperation with the National Federation Officials Association (NFOA), will gather in Albuquerque, N.M. next month, June 22-24, at the Albuquerque Marriott to address a critical issue in their view — the evaluations of officials.

"We need to make improvements to the system," says NASO President Barry Mano. "This conference is bringing together some of the top leaders in the industry to address the issue and we’re going to make a difference in the future."

Mano is right about bringing together top officiating leaders and making a difference. Among the attendees will be the officiating directors of the NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball, as well as representatives from the NCAA, high school and recreational levels.

"This event brings together the best and brightest from all levels from around the nation," adds Mano.

The "Sports Officiating 2002" conference is the 20th such event hosted by NASO but the first conducted in cooperation with the National Federation of Officials (NFOA), an organization affiliated with the National Federation of State High School Association (NFHS) — the governing body of high school sports.

NASO is a not-for-profit educational association founded in 1980. The organization has nearly 18,000 members and is headquartered in Racine, Wis. Membership in the organization is voluntary and the majority of members are high school level officials. Mano says, "Those officials who are serious about the profession become members of NASO for a variety of reasons. Our educational materials are second to none and we provide liability and assault insurance for personal protection. Obviously, we are also an advocate for the profession and I think a very effective one."

NASO has long advocated special protection laws for sports officials and has been successful in 16 states, including New Mexico.

Mano’s organization doesn’t finger point at others, rather, he say’s they have to take some responsibility themselves if they are going to make a difference. "Many of the problems that occur in today’s sports programs happen because leagues’ assignors place the most inexperienced officials in highly emotional situations where parents are overzealously supporting their children or in adult recreation leagues where players think their skills are far superior to reality," says Mano. "We need to take a step back and look at these situations, develop stronger training programs and also do a better job of evaluating officials so they have a sense of value and accomplishment."

From the opening session to the closing event, the "Sports Officiating 2002" conference will spotlight leaders and personalities galore.

Among those participating in presentations are:

Retired NFL referee Jerry Markbreit; Major League Baseball’s Vice President of Umpiring Ralph Nelson; NFL Director of Officiating Mike Pereira; NFL referee and human resource expert Gerald Austin; former NFL Director of Officiating Jerry Seeman; NCAA basketball referee John Clougherty; NCAA Women’s Basketball Coordinator Marcy Weston; NFOA Chief Operating Officer Bob Gardner; New Mexico Activities Association Executive Director Dan Salzwedel; Michigan High School Athletic Association Executive Director Jack Roberts; NFHS Assistant Director Mary Struckhoff; Business consultant Mary Cooley; Arizona Interscholastic Association Director of Officiating and NASO Chair Gary Whelchel; NFOA Past President Jeff Hilyer; New Mexico High School Coaches Association representative Jim Hulsman; National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association credentials Committee Vice-Chair (1996-99) Randy Adrian; U.S. Soccer Federation National Assessor Pat Smith; Ohio High School Athletic Association Assistant Commissioner Hank Zaborniak; Pro volleyball official Teresa Fierro; NCAA volleyball official Joan Powell; Former NHL Director of Officiating Bryan Lewis; Nevada Boxing Commission Executive Director Marc Ratner; Iowa High School Athletic Association Executive Director and 1996 NASO Gold Whistle Award honoree Bernie Saggau And members of the staff of Referee magazine and NASO.

On Sunday evening, June 23, NASO will present its coveted Gold Whistle Award to Major League Baseball umpire Larry Young. Young is the 15th recipient of the award that honors an official for their community service, integrity and support of the profession. Young’s involvement with the Illinois Special Olympics was the catalyst for his selection.

Also in Albuquerque the NFOA will recognize the officiating services and achievements of three honorees who have excelled in officiating or contributed to high school sports. The

National Contributor Award is given to an individual who has contributed to high school sports over a long and distinguished career in a field outside of officiating.

The National Distinguished Service Award goes to an active official in recognition of a long and distinguished high school officiating career.

The NFHS Official Citation Award is the organization’s highest honor and recognizes a longstanding and distinguished record of involvement in high school officiating programs at the local, state and national levels. All recipients carry the endorsement of their respective state high school association and exemplify the highest standards of sportsmanship, ethical conduct and moral character.

Additional information including registration information is available on the NASO website at www.naso.org or by calling NASO Conference Coordinator Hiedi Petersen at 262/632-5448.