Florida High School Athletic Association

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New Officials Orientation
Florida High School Athletic Association
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How an inquiry to the FHSAA Office leads to
a registered official
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What new officials should knowup front

• Comply with the Jessica Lunsford Act
• Register with the local officials association
• Register with the FHSAA
• Certify that he or she has never been arrested
  for or convicted of a felony
• View an online rules video presentation
• Take an exam
• Non participation fine/suspensions

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Retaining new recruits

• Let them know how much they are needed and
  appreciated
• Keep them in the loop
• Assign them a mentor
• Recognition

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Student Officials

• Must be at least 16 years of age and still in
  high school
• Can officiate middle school (6th-8th grades) and
  junior high (8th-9th grades)
• No financial penalties for nonparticipation of
  the online rules video presentation and exam
• Student officials do not have to be fingerprinted

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Student Officials Continued-

• Register at a reduced fee of 10.00 a sport
• Use the same online registration as all other
  officials

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Proper cancellation procedures

• Official should notify the FHSAA Office in
  writing as soon as possible and preferably before
  clinic and exam fines become assessed.
• Encourage them to give it another shot next year
  or maybe in another sport.

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Common questions that returning officials have

• Why am I suspended?
• Am I eligible for a test exemption?How do I take
  a leave of absence?
• When was my last field clinic?

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Resources

• FHSAAs new officials page
• www.becomeanofficial.org
• FHSAAs contest officials page https//officials.f
  hsaa.org/
• National Federation of State High School
  Associations
• http//www.nfhs.org/

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• A thank you letter worth sharing.

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• Hello Mark,
•  
• This thank you letter has been long
  overdue, but its taken me awhile to reflect on
  my recent expedition as it did mean very much to
  me as I continue to gain experience on and off
  the field II have realized becoming an official
  is more than just regulating a game. I left
  Jacksonville Saturday afternoon with a better
  understanding, my mind obscured with thoughts of
  new friends and great memories. I arrived that
  evening still disconnected from reality, wanting
  to tell my father the kaleidoscope of thoughts
  running through my mind. But my father was
  nowhere to be found, and then it hit me once
  more, like it has countless times. My father is
  no longer with me, and that Saturday was six
  months to the day. Football has been a part of
  my life since I can remember, but now without my
  father its been much more. It was eight months
  ago when I got my first varsity game, a game
  which did not come to its normal conclusion.
  There was less than two minutes in the game when
  a fight broke out and we decided to call it. So
  my first varsity game didnt even finish and I
  can still hear the laughter from my old man when
  I told him the story. It was six months ago when
  I had my first semi-pro game and I left for
  Delray Beach. To my surprise we were able to get
  back early enough where I still caught my parents
  awake, slowly drifting into their sleep. I
  vividly remember walking over to my dad, being
  asked how was the game, did I make the calls. I
  remember giving him a hug and exchanging I love
  you. That night became the worst nightmare of
  my life. My father in the middle of the night
  woke up for the last time, returning to his bed,
  collapsed and was gone. He didnt leave me with
  all the answers he didnt leave a script of the
  way my life should go. I know he left me with
  all the tools to strive to be a better person,
  much like he is in my eyes, but still I am
  hesitant of what the future might bring,
  sometimes scared he is no here to guide me. When
  I become an official I didnt think much of it,
  but Al was right, youre first an official and
  then a friend. After my great loss of fraternity
  of brothers rushed to my aide, making sure they
  knew I was not alone. I was always taught the
  greatest things in life are the laughter and
  smiles of others, not the wrapped gifts under the
  tree, so that made it all with it. My father was
  one of the best communicators I have ever known.
  He met strangers and turned them into friends.
  He made you feel like you were the most important
  person. He built a company based on service and
  friendship. I hear officials talk about
  networking and connections like its a job, like
  its going to be their ticket to fame. It might
  very well be, but I disagree like you all said
  its about opportunity and being ready when your
  chance comes. Its about what you do off the
  field, being a family man and a friend. I may
  not make the NFL, or even college, but I will be
  one of the best officials I can be at whatever
  level I may be at. I may not be the best pilot
  out there, and I most definitely dont fly large
  commercial jets or military fighters, but I
  could. I know Mother Nature is unforgiving and
  for that I prepare each flight to the best of my
  ability like its the most important, because
  when it comes down to it, it is. I take the same
  approach to my games, whether its peewee or
  varsity. I may change the axioms, but its still
  a game that needs to be piloted and people at
  every level can be human. With all that said
  being in Jacksonville not only allowed me to gain
  experience through your eyes, but I was also able
  to make lasting memories. You may not remember
  me five years from now or even a year from now,
  but I will remember you and the people you work
  with. I will remember the laughter we all shared
  Friday night. This thank you is extended to your
  crew and the people in attendance. They all made
  the experience one to always remember. I will
  never forget it and for that I thank you.
•  
• Best Regards,
• Clem

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Tips for FHSAA to consider?
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• Before you leave, please check your area to make
  sure you are not leaving anything behind!