Game Management:What Can We Do To

Help Each Other

FHSAA Compliance SeminarAugust 2, 2013

Welcome!

Michael Parks• 35 total years of officiating experience

Football - 31 years HS Basketball - 26 years NCAA D2, JuCo, HS Softball – 35 years, NCAA Regionals, JuCo National Championships Baseball – 32 years NCAA, HS. Lead Evaluator for FHSAA

• Retired United States Air Force Police Officer• Assigner for Baseball and Football

Welcome!

Jason Autrey• 10 years football officiating experience

High School – 10 years NCAA Division 2 – 3 years, Gulf South Conference, 2012 Playoff Crew R NCAA Division 1 – 3 years, Sun Belt Conference

• County Engineer for Okaloosa County• Assists with training and evaluation of MSOA football

officials

Game Administration

• Applicable to all sports – MSOA works Football, Basketball and Baseball

• Our area has no “County AD’s”, some schools have Head Coach AD, some have designated AD

• This is an overview of our way of doing things…

Game Administration

Timeline• Contracts• Schedules• Facilities• Pre-season• Gameday• Payment

ContractsWe do…• Provide contracts several months before the

season March for Football September for Basketball November for Baseball/Softball

You do…• Get completed contracts back to us so we don’t

overbook March for Football helps us plan for spring practices September for Basketball November for Baseball/Softball – holidays and then

practice starts…

SchedulesWe do…• Send you a list of all games

Pre-season we send you all games, dates and opponents of your home schedule we are working.

One week prior we send a master copy to all contracted schools.

You do…• Review, verify and confirm to us the information

we send you• Keep us “in the loop” of modifications

o Games moved or cancelledo Time changeo Weather – rain-outs are a nightmare for us too!

Schedules

Keep in mind:• Plan ahead when creating schedules

NCAA National Championship game is scheduled way in advance…avoid scheduling basketball games on that day

Baseball season starts when it can be cold and wet – consider playing games at earlier day times.

Think ahead about potential conflicts if/when your football team is in the playoffs.

The sooner you give us information, the better we can service your need.

Pre-SeasonWe do…• Work as many scrimmages as possible. Officials need

practice just like players• Speak with your coaches and team about rule changes and

what behavior is expected• Be approachable – show a human side and relate to players

and coaches. We are NOT the enemy

Pre-SeasonYou do…• Schedule scrimmages that are after “normal” work hours.

It’s hard to get officials to work at 2 or 3 in the afternoon on a weekday.

• Make players and coaches accessible. Alert them ahead of time to be ready to ask questions

• Stay on schedule• Make your assistants get in the rule book

FacilitiesYou do…• Reserve the crew a few parking spaces• Provide a clean, dry place to change – showers if possible• Have administrative contact in charge stop by and introduce

themselves• Drinks – in a cooler in the locker room or an assigned person

to bring something from the refreshment stand• Sandwiches and/or snacks are very appreciated

We do…• Leave the facilities cleaner than when we got there• Snack bars are NOT a buffet – great place to get in trouble• Notify administration when we are on site

Game-dayWhat you should expect from us…• 9th Grade/JV Officials arrive 30-45 minutes prior to the

scheduled game time• Varsity arrive 45-60 minutes prior (Football should be a 90

minute minimum)• Clean, well dressed, personable officials• Officials will answer questions – not statements – when asked• Able to explain a rule/ruling without giving a clinic• Will keep the game moving along• Look and act like they want to be there

Game-dayWhat we NEED from you…• Someone to show us to and let us in the locker room• Field in playable condition; properly marked• Scoreboard on and working• Capable help to work the table for basketball• An announcer to announce, not give play by play• Announcer to keep “homerism” to a minimum• Security should not have to be asked for; they should find us• Somebody to control the big picture

In-GameWhat we NEED from you…• Controlled playing area• Keep those that are “supposed” to be there (media,

cheerleaders, band, etc.) in a safe location• Keep those that are not “supposed” to be there (students,

parents, spectators, etc.) in appropriate locations• If things go wrong, have your team members take a knee.

Coaches can come out to break up any non-game related action (fights), officials will back away and observe only!

• Player disqualification procedure

In-GameThings we all need to be ready for…• Concussions – officials are not doctors. Players are required to

leave the game in order to get proper medical attention• Emergencies – proper time will be given to address emergency

issues. Emergency responders will not be hurried• Weather – NFHS has specific protocols for lightning • Jessica Lunsford Act – All contest officials are expected to have

the appropriate badge with them at the game• Sportsmanship – point of emphasis• Rules Knowledge

PaymentWe do…• Prepare an understandable, accurate bill for your

book keeper• Provide a point of contact for any questions

You do…• Remit payment in a timely manner• Be responsive, nothing worse then calling multiple

times looking for a payment with no response

Questions?Thank you for your time and attention

Have a GREAT 2013-2014 School Year!

Michael Parks4mparks@cox.net

Jason Autreyjautrey@cox.net