Program Overview

PROGRAM AT A GLANCE

Every attempt will be made not to deviate from the below schedule; however, NASO reserves the right to make changes when necessary without notice. Please check back often to ensure you have the latest schedule.

Sun Jul 26
8:00a	–	7:00p	Registration Open
1:00p	–	4:30p	A TOUR OF TUCSON [OPTIONAL ACTIVITY]
2:00p	–	4:00p	Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) Leadership Conference
7:00p	–	8:00p	2009 Sports Officiating Summit Grand Opening
8:00p	–	10:00p	Gala Welcome Reception
Mon Jul 27
7:00a	–	5:00p	Registration Open
7:00a	–	5:00p	Exhibit Area Open
8:00a	–	8:30a	Keynote: The Pursuit of Sound Judgment and Great Decisions
8:45a	–	9:30a	Tough Calls Leaders Have to Make About Their Officials
9:30a	–	11:00a	GUEST WELCOME RECEPTION
9:45a	–	10:30a	How Officials Make Decisions
10:45a	–	12:00p	Current Legal Issues: Your Questions Answered
12:15p	–	1:30p	ANNUAL OFFICIATING INDUSTRY LUNCHEON
1:45p	–	2:45p	Let’s Take a Look at the Whole Play
3:00p	–	4:15p	Game On! Sport-by-Sport Breakouts
Tue Jul 28
7:30a	–	5:00p	Registration Open
8:00a	–	8:45a	Can You Teach Judgment?
9:00a	–	9:45a	Character Counts: The Impact of Officials on Sportsmanship
10:00a	–	10:45a	We Don’t Talk About Judgment Calls
11:00a	–	12:00p	Great Calls: A Video Celebration
12:15p	–	2:00p	LUNCH WORKSHOPS
			Let ‘Em Referee
			State Association Annual Forum
			Game Reports — What Local Associations Must Do
2:15p	–	3:00p	The Big Picture on Video
3:15p	–	4:15p	Verbal Judo: How to Deliver the Message
6:30p	–	9:00p	GOLD WHISTLE AWARD CELEBRATION

Keynote: The Pursuit of Sound Judgment and Great Decisions
What is it about decision making and judgment that’s so complex? NBA Senior Vice President of Referee Operations Ron Johnson is uniquely positioned to talk about judgment and decision making and their intersection with sports officiating. A recently retired two-star Army general, his experiences have made him a decision-maker and a leader. And what drives it all is a relentless pursuit of excellence. From the front office to in-game officiating, what Johnson speaks to in his presentation will provide clear marching orders to better judgments and decisions.

Tough Calls Leaders Have to Make About Their Officials
Leaders at all levels are faced with tough decisions: Tournament selection, evaluation and disciplining officials just to name a few. It’s a question of accountability — and one of appeasement. What factors into those decisions and how important is it to have buy-in from your staff and your officials? Leaders in officiating today discuss the framework for making tough calls when the stakes are high and the right path is far from obvious.

How Officials Make Decisions
Proven performers in any walk of life excel at generating the best solution for the challenge at hand. They deliver sound judgments time after time, decision after decision. Clare MacMahon, a lecturer in the School of Human Movement, Recreation and Performance at Victoria University in Melbourne, Australia, presents her expansive research on sports officiating. By assessing the demands of officials and tracing the training of elite officials, she will show that the decision-making process for officials differs from that used for athletes. Her research will help you formulate improved methods for training your officials.

Current Legal Issues: Your Questions Answered
If you’ve got a legal question related to officiating, we’ve got answers! Don’t miss this open forum presentation of the NASO Member Information and Consultation Program (MICP). Alan Goldberger, the New Jersey lawyer/sports official who wrote the book, Sports Officiating: A Legal Guide, walks you through the late-breaking legal issues related to officiating. Lowell Gratigny, American Specialty Insurance & Risk Services senior vice president of litigation management, and Don Collins, a lawyer and executive director of the San Francisco section of the California Interscholastic Federation, are also on hand to answer your questions.

Annual Officiating Industry Luncheon
NFHS executive director Bob Kanaby and NASO president Barry Mano share observations on the successes, trends, issues, challenges and the outlook for future officiating in this luncheon co-hosted by the NFHS and NASO.

Let's Take a Look at the Whole Play
We’re breaking down tape in this session with leaders and lead officials in their respective leagues. Real plays, real rulings, 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. See the plays and hear from those involved what went on behind the scenes and the thought processes that went into making such crucial decisions during the games.

Game On! Sport-By-Sport Breakouts
It’s time to break down officiating and talk shop. Better yet, it’s time to analyze judgments and decisions on the field or on the court. Sit down with fellow officials, veterans and respective officiating leaders to go over video and analyze rules, mechanics, philosophy and hot issues — all the nuts and bolts of working your games, evaluating performance and teaching better officiating.

Can You Teach Judgment?
Does judgment differ from common sense or gut instinct? Is it a product of luck? Or smarts? Or is there a process for making consistently good calls? Our panelists will examine and discuss why good people make poor decisions and if judgment can truly be taught. Better yet, we’ll look for ways to teach and train officials at all levels — whether or not you have the multitude of resources available at the highest levels.

Character Counts: The Impact of Officials on Sportsmanship
The Arizona Interscholastic Association has a stout program to improve sporting-like behavior at its sports events. Its Pursuing Victory With Honor program trains and tasks officials, schools and coaches trained to promote sportsmanship. Those effective efforts have had a positive impact on sports — and officiating — in Arizona. Learn about a program that goes beyond words and hope, a program that is a proven performer. Learn how your officials can have a major role in upholding and improving sportsmanship at all levels — and the direct effect that has on helping to recruit more officials and retain those you already have.

We Don't Talk About Judgment Calls
In the “old days” judgment calls were not discussed — rules fine, judgment never. The popularity of videotape, YouTube and technology has made accessibility and accountability at all levels more important than ever. How do you handle the public relations aspect of a missed call and should you even be discussing judgment calls? Our esteemed panel of officiating leaders analyzes the “taboo” subject of judgment calls and how it impacts your lives.

Great Calls: A Video Celebration
Since it’s our industry’s only inclusive event of the year, we decided it was time to celebrate. We always see what’s gone wrong, but how about showing things we’ve done right? We contacted several organizations and leagues and they jumped at the chance to show off and present their greatest calls, no-calls and best-handled situations. It’s sure to be a celebration session you won’t want to miss, so sit back and enjoy. And best of all, celebrate great officiating.

Let 'Em Referee
The team approach to officiating is about a group of people working toward the same goals and the same objectives together. Not as a staff or as individuals, but as team. Learn from Stephen Walkom, NHL senior vice president and director of officiating, as he shares his insights and thoughts on how to help those around you reach their full potential.

State Association Annual Forum
A closed-door meeting for high school state office executives and staff only. A chance for state association leaders to share ideas and best practices in a variety of topics including online testing, video training, sportsmanship issues, technology and much more.

Game Reports — What Local Associations Must Do
What situations call for a written report? What should your officials put in a game report? What should your officials leave out? Brainstorm ways and training for associations to assist officials in producing game reports more efficiently and effectively – your officials deserve it.

College Officiating in Focus
Find out what’s in the pipeline for officiating with the stakeholders in collegiate officiating. Regionalization, certification, online initiatives, game assignments and other hot topics are sure to be addressed.

The Big Picture on Video
Video training is all the rage. It’s everywhere (or at least everyone would like it to be at all levels). But have you sat back and analyzed what’s involved with putting plays onto video? Permissions, copyrights, profane language and embarrassment of officials/coaches/players are all aspects you need to consider. There are ethical and legal standards most don’t consider. Can you show minors? Do you need permission to use TV feeds for local training? Find out from the experts.

Verbal Judo: How to Deliver the Message
Once a decision is made, how do you deliver the message? Verbal Judo is a tactical communication-training course. Its principles allow officials to use presence and words to calm difficult people, redirect the behavior of hostile people, diffuse potentially volatile situations and achieve the desired outcome of the professional encounter. Join former minor league baseball and current collegiate Division I baseball umpire Ray Leible as he teaches the ways Verbal Judo can help you and your officials.

GOLD WHISTLE AWARD CELEBRATION
Join us as we celebrate officiating’s highest honor — the NASO Gold Whistle Award® — during an elegant evening banquet. NASO is privileged to have recognized the efforts of outstanding people with both the Gold Whistle Award® and the Mel Narol Medallion. No other event in our history pays tribute to officiating quite like the Gold Whistle Award® Celebration. It’s not to be missed.

Gold Whistle Award Recipient: Mills Lane
The NASO Gold Whistle Award® is given to an individual or organization that has made significant contributions to the betterment of sport officials and the officiating industry. This year’s honoree is the 22nd recipient of the award, joining an elite group of past recipients.

One of the most celebrated and iconic boxing referees of all time, Mills Lane suffered a debilitating stroke in 2002. Up to that time, Lane was legendary for his skills in the ring and the persona he created, including his famous phrase, “Let’s Get it On.” He became a public celebrity when, as a court judge, he was featured on The Judge Mills Lane Show. He later had a justice center named in his honor. To this day, Lane displays the honor, decorum and dignity that enhances the image of sports officials and befits the Gold Whistle Award®.

Mel Narol Medallion Award
NASO’s Mel Narol Medallion Award recognizes outstanding contributions to NASO. The award winner will be the seventh such honoree and join other organizations or individual recipients.

Medallion Recipient: Ronnie Carter
As the retiring executive director of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA), Ronnie Carter has been a visionary leader who has consistently placed special emphasis on the care and needs of sports officials. Carter was an NASO board member from 2003 through 2007, including officer positions, and is currently on the NASO Strategic Development Committee. He formerly served as president of the NFHS. He is a positive supporter of NASO initiatives in his state and throughout the NFHS family. He helped construct the current NASO Summit model of having a state association sponsor and host the event, including TSSAA’s commitment to host the 2006 Memphis Summit. He has been instrumental in guiding NASO decisions for more than a decade.