This past summer no less than 90 officials, applicants, former associates and staff attended the Applicant and In-Service Training camps at Edinboro University. This afforded me an opportunity to see how each official would work under game conditions. Those applicants and staff attending the men’s camp were treated to 3 classroom sessions conducted by Ed Rush, former NBA official and currently still employer by the NBA as a training and recruitment coordinator. Ed’s participation is a result of the PSAC entering into a training partnership with the NBA. In the future more training, pre-season and during the season will take place.
As mentioned in the meeting, your schedules will have a direct impact on your participation at the In Service Camp. There were a number of officials who chose to attend other camps, this despite them not having secure position in the PSAC Conference. To that end, schedules for the 2007-2008 season will reflect their participation in the PSAC. My obligation as the coordination of officials is to recruit and train officials for the PSAC. Officials need to keep in mind my duties as the coordinator and the official’s responsibility to the PSAC conference. With 2 additional universities being added to the conference, this was a great opportunity to display your skills, abilities and PSAC conference loyalty. The decision to attend other camps with limited or no opportunities, especially at the Division I level will have an adverse effect on PSAC opportunities. I know this because many of the Division I Coordinators discuss your progression in the PSAC Conference. When asked by D I Coordinators how may games an official works in the conference and I respond, “very limited,” or will the official travel and I respond, “Only 150 miles during mid week,” your opportunities are nil.
This year we will embark on a new mission where officials will put into 3 levels, Levels A, B and C. Level A, predominately play off caliber officials will work the majority of the contests. Level B, promising officials who have demonstrated through rating and availability the ability to work at the Division II level, and C officials who have limited availability because of strong Division I schedules and prospect who show promises will be afforded games based upon the aforementioned criteria. As a rule of thumb, A officials will work 15 or more, B officials 8 to 15 and C officials 0-7 games. When schedules are released in October, you will be able to clearly define you status in the conference.
The PSAC men and women’s basketball is one of the best conferences in the country and our officiating staff must reflect the talent that each university puts on the floor. Each official has a responsibility to themselves and the conference to be prepared mentally and physically for the rigors that lie ahead. I have a responsibility to the conference to provide them the best officials available. It is your responsibility to work professionally in each contest, to be knowledgeable of the rules and interpretations, to be sound mechanically and most importantly display loyaly to the conference.
As we begin to prepare for the 2007-2008 season, I’m asking that each officials take inventory: Are you physical and mentally prepared, have I read the rule book, have I visited the NCAA site to review the new rules, do I go on Arbiter daily to check for announcements, have I block all my dates. If you failed to do any of the above-mentioned items, you are not ready for the season.
I want to wish every official a good year.