Program Overview

AT A GLANCE

Sun Jul 30
8:00a – 7:00p Registration Open
1:00p – 4:00p A TOUR OF MEMPHIS [GUEST ACTIVITY]
1:30p – 4:30p Tennessee Local Association Leadership Conference
2:30p – 4:00p NFHS Officials Association Forum
6:30p – 7:30p Sports Officiating 2006 Opening Keynote Presentation
7:30p – 9:30p WELCOME RECEPTION
       
Mon Jul 31
7:00a – 5:00p Registration Open
8:00a – 8:30a The Leading Edge
8:45a – 10:00a Video Breakdown – How to Do It and What to Look For
9:30a – 11:00a GUEST WELCOME RECEPTION
10:15a – 11:15a Technology-Based Programs That Work
11:30a – 12:15p In-Focus: Criminal Background Checks
12:30p – 1:30p THE OFFICIATING INDUSTRY LUNCHEON
1:45p – 2:30p Listen Up! Responding Skills in Action
2:45p – 3:30p In-Focus: High School Instant Replay
3:30p – 5:30p THE INTERACTIVE TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE
6:30p     A NIGHT AT AUTOZONE PARK WITH THE MEMPHIS REDBIRDS
       
Tue Aug 01
7:30a – 5:00p Registration Open
8:00a – 9:30a You Are There: What’s Your Call?
9:45a – 10:45a In-Focus: Disciplining Officials
11:00a – 12:00p Today’s Legal Issues – Your Questions Answered
11:00a – 1:30p NASO Board of Directors Meeting
12:00p – 1:30p Lunch: Open
1:30p – 3:15p Gametime: Sport-by-Sport Breakouts
3:30p – 5:30p THE INTERACTIVE TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE
3:30p – 5:30p NASO Board of Directors Meeting
6:30p – 9:00p GOLD WHISTLE AWARD CELEBRATION

The Leading Edge
Thinking outside the box. Change. Efficiency. Results. NFL Vice President of Officiating Mike Pereira introduces the grand scheme of the 2006 program: Technology and Officiating. Pereira’s fresh perspective encourages, inspires and motivates attendees to look at the increasing potential of their officiating organizations, utilizing new and proven technological methods to improve and enhance all officiating programs.

Video Breakdown – How to Do It and What to Look For
We’re breaking down tape in this session and you’re invited to join in. Real plays, real officials, real analysis. It doesn’t matter if you work at the high school, college or pro level — all officials have the same concerns about performance. Presenters Dave Yeast, national coordinator of NCAA baseball umpires, Violet Palmer, NBA referee and Bill LeMonnier, Big 10 football referee, show how you can use the same philosophy and approach at whatever level of sport you work.

Technology-Based Programs That Work
Some officiating organizations across the country have taken an aggressive lead in the integration of technology into their programs. See firsthand how some groups defined their needs, tackled the process, resolved challenges and ultimately advanced their officials to a new level. Presenters include Dave Gannaway, assistant executive director of the Illinois High School Association and Sandra Hunt, U.S. Soccer national instructor and assessor.

In-Focus: Criminal Background Checks
It’s 2006 — do you know who’s officiating your children’s games? More and more officials are subject to criminal background checks, but that practice is receiving mixed reaction in the officiating community. When it comes to ensuring the safety and security of our children, who’s going to argue against them? The problem? Background checks are invasive, they cost money and nobody’s 100 percent sure what constitutes a checkered past. Join us as we take a hard look at the issues and how to deal with them.

Listen Up! Responding Skills in Action
See how real video and audio clips from games are used as training tools to educate officials to effectively respond to a coach or player in any potentially volatile situation. Join NBA referee Joe Crawford and Marcia Alterman, executive director of the Professional Association of Volleyball Officials, as they demonstrate how to use simple A/V equipment to educate officials on one of the most crucial aspects of game management.

In-Focus: High School Instant Replay
When instant replay made its debut at the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) basketball and ice hockey tournaments in March, history was made. It’s not just for the pros or major colleges anymore. MSHSL Associate Director Kevin Merkle reveals how the association made the decision to experiment with replay, what incidents forced the issue and ultimately how instant replay worked when put to the test in prep games. Take away a firsthand experience of what you can expect, how to prepare and what to do when instant replay comes to your area.

The Interactive Technology Showcase
A first-time event at the NASO Sports Officiating Summit! We asked – you shared – we listened. Let’s face it, technology can be frightening. There’s so much out there and it all seems to change on a daily basis. Not to mention, the cost of all the hardware and software available. Where do you start? Right here! The Interactive Technology Showcase is a hands-on workshop and vendor room where attendees can browse the wide variety of technological services and tools, featuring hardware and software demos, face-to-face time with people who can show you how to use those tools and a rotating slate of featured seminars on a variety of topics. The vendor room will also feature officiating experts and suppliers showcasing the latest in equipment, education and other services and supplies. You’ll have the opportunity to meet with the industry’s leading suppliers of officiating equipment and resources. Don’t miss day two on Tuesday, August 1.

You Are There: What’s Your Call?
You’re on the spot — make the call. Ever wonder what it’s like to be on the field or in the booth looking at a replay and making the call while the world waits? We’ve got the plays, the replays and the officials who were there. Get a glimpse into the process of replay from Dick Honig and Jim Augustyn, the retired officials who manned the replay booth at the most recent Rose Bowl national championship game. You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at Major League Baseball’s video QuesTec system, presented by Tom Lepperd, MLB director of umpire administration.

In-Focus: Disciplining Officials
It’s a question of accountability — and of appeasement. What is the thought process behind the decisions to discipline (or not discipline) an official. While we’re at it, what should officials be disciplined for? And should it be made public? Those questions and more are debated by our panelists, consisting of Joe Borgia, NBA director of referee development; Ronnie Carter, Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association Executive Director; Bill Carollo, NFL referee; and Barry Mano, NASO president.

Today’s Legal Issues – Your Questions Answered
If you’ve got a legal question related to officiating, we’ve got answers! Don’t miss this live and in-person open forum presentation of NASO’s Legal Information and Consultation Program (LICP) benefit. Alan Goldberger, the New Jersey lawyer and official who wrote the book, Sports Officiating: A Legal Guide; Lowell Gratigny, American Specialty Insurance Services senior vice president of litigation management; and Jack Bissell, amateur ice hockey official and retired District Court judge, are all on hand to help you minimize your legal risks. As a bonus, don’t miss the first part of this session in which Goldberger gives you the latest rundown on independent contractor status.

Gametime: Sport-by-Sport Breakouts
It’s time to break down officiating to the core in these concurrent sessions covering baseball, football, basketball, softball and volleyball. Sit down with fellow officials with seasoned officiating leaders to analyze rules, mechanics, philosophy, hot issues – all the nuts and bolts of working your games. The floor is yours.

Baseball
Session Leaders: Tom Lepperd, Major League Baseball; Greg Brewer, NFHS rules chair; Larry Thomas, NFHS Committee

Football
Session Leaders: Bill Carollo, NFL referee; Jerry Markbreit, retired NFL; Dick Honig, Big 10 replay;  Jim Augustyn, Big 10 replay; Bill LeMonnier, Big 10 referee

Basketball
Session Leaders: Joe Crawford, NBA referee; Anita Ortega, NCAA referee; Mary Struckhoff, NFHS/NCAA; Gene Menees, TSSAA/NCAA; Violet Palmer, NBA referee

Softball
Session Leaders: Craig Cress, ASA; Ralph Swearngin, NFHS rules chair

Volleyball
Session Leaders: Marcia Alterman, PAVO; Joan Powell, PAVO