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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 24, 2001
Contact: John Johnson or Andy Frushour-- 517.332.5046

EAST LANSING, Mich. - May 24 - Individuals interested in becoming a high school athletic game official for the 2001-02 school year may now register with the Michigan High School Athletic Association.

From now until July 1, Michigan's 11,000-plus game officials in 14 sports are urged to submit their application. The July date is an important one, as it is the deadline for officials who wish to be listed in the MHSAA's annual printed Officials Directory.

"We always encourage officials to register before July 1, so they can be listed in the MHSAA Official's Directory," said Bill Bupp, MHSAA supervisor of officials. "That is very beneficial for officials looking for work and schools looking for officials. Officials listed in the directory are also more visible candidates for approved association membership. Approved association benefits are numerous, so we encourage officials to either seek membership or be asked to join a local group well before the new school year begins."

While early registration is heavily encouraged, Bupp added that new officials are free to register with the MHSAA any time during the year. MHSAA registration fees are among the lowest in the nation. A $10 fee is charged for each sport an official wishes to work, and the processing fee is $18. Officials registered in 2000-01 will be assessed a late fee of $20 for registration after July 1. The processing fee includes liability insurance coverage of up to $1 million for officials while working MHSAA contests.

Some significant changes are taking place during the registration process for 2001-02, and the new school year will see the opportunity for high school students to become more involved in officiating.

Officials registered in 2000-01 will have the opportunity to renew their registration on-line through the MHSAA's interactive Web Site - MHSAA.NET. Registration on-line will require the use of a credit card. Officials eligible for on-line renewals were sent additional information by mail earlier this Spring. It is anticipated that on-line registration will be available for first time officials no later than next Spring.

"We're excited about the roll-out of the on-line application process," Bupp said. "We feel this will be very convenient for our officials, and our testing so far indicates that people have found the process to be very user friendly."

A year ago, the MHSAA Representative Council responded to the requests of the MHSAA Executive Committee, Athletic Equity Committee and Volleyball Committee to make modifications that would allow even more high school students to become officials. Effective in 2001-02, the Legacy program has been changed to allow 11th graders, 16 years of age and older, to officiate sub-varsity and junior high/middle school games with an approved official. Previously, the Legacy program was available only to 12th graders.

A second change will allow 12th graders, 17 years of age and older, to officiate sub-varsity and junior high/middle school contests without a mentoring official. The changes made in response to the concern that not enough high school students are being recruited into the officiating field through the Legacy Program, and that those who enter at that age tend to leave officiating shortly after graduating. The 2001-02 school year will be the 10th for the Legacy program. Last year, 50 high school seniors took part.

Student officials will benefit from a waiver of the standard $18 processing fee. Registration of $10 per sport will be the only requirement.

"We hope that these changes will prompt more young people to look into officiating as a way to stay active in sports beyond the high school playing days, and that more officials and school administrators will take it upon themselves to recruit a young person they know to become involved," Bupp said. "The other important thing we have to remember is that once we've recruited these people into the officiating ranks, everything that can be done must be done to retain them, and that includes coaches and spectators treating these young officials - in fact, all officials - with respect."

There is an officials' registration test, which is for first-time officials and officials not registered in the past year. The test consists of 65 questions derived from the MHSAA Officials Guidebook, which may be used during the open book test.

"The guidebook is a good reference that can answer many questions about the way the MHSAA operates," Bupp said. "We implemented this test as a way of insuring familiarity with the guidebook and to assure that new registrants are aware of the policies, practices and protocols expected of MHSAA officials."

The number of registered officials in Michigan continues to average above 11,000 annually, a stable figure at a time when other states continue to struggle to recruit officials. Bupp hopes that the current trend continues.

"We can attribute most of our success to the work existing officials have put in to recruit new officials," Bupp said. "It's important that we do everything possible to encourage a high standard of training through approved associations, camps and clinics, so we can provide the best possible officiating for the competitions in which our young people participate."

More information about officials registration may be obtained by contacting the MHSAA at 1661 Ramblewood Drive, East Lansing, MI 48823. Telephone: 517/332-5046. E-Mail: [email protected]

The MHSAA is a private, not-for-profit corporation of voluntary membership by over 1,300 public and private senior high schools and junior high/middle schools which exists to develop common rules for athletic eligibility and competition. No government funds or tax dollars support the MHSAA, which was the first such association nationally to not accept membership dues or tournament entry fees from schools. Member schools which enforce these rules are permitted to participate in MHSAA tournaments, which attract approximately 1.6 million spectators each year.

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