Keeping with USA Football's theme of consistency in officiating education, Officiating Schools are two-day clinics designed by NFL Umpire Tony Michalek and Big Ten Referee Bill LeMonnier to improve the skills of a youth or high school football official.
Michalek and LeMonnier's biggest goal for the schools is to provide a level of consistency across the country in youth football officiating. Many rules can be interpreted a variety of ways, and the Officiating Schools create a level of consistency in making judgment calls, as well as improving general mechanics.
The 2009 Officiating School schedule will spring into motion on May 8 at the University of Miami. The schools are two-day events, as opposed to the one day, less detailed Officiating Seminars. Schools are priced from $250 to $300, but the skills and philosophies learned from Michalek, LeMonnier and their staff at each event are priceless.
"The greatest benefits from the schools are going to be the ability to review a lot of different plays, and to talk to people or hear from people who have officiated at higher levels," said Galen Killam, a 15-plus year Wisconsin high school and college official who will be part of Michalek and LeMonnier's staff. "Attendees will get the chance to try and understand how plays can be better officiated and to be more standardized in what we do."
On Saturday of the events, participants will work scrimmages in crews of five or seven, and will get beneficial advice from officials from the NFL and Division I. These scrimmages consist of pre-game preparation and then on-field training.
After completing the scrimmages, attendees will watch video of their performances on day two, with valuable feedback from the staff. During these classroom sessions, unique plays from 2008 high school and college games will be used to discuss the mechanics, philosophies and rules applications for all officiating levels. There will also be a breakout session by officiating position.
"The Officiating Schools are very beneficial for veteran and new officials alike," stated Killam, who currently officiates for both the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletics Association. "One thing about officiating is that you never stop learning. I've been doing this for a very long time, and I'm still learning new things all of the time."
More information on the 2009 USA Football Officiating Schools and a complete schedule of the schools and seminars can be found here.
