How to get started becoming an Official (Referee)

[JGrogan]

Good afternoon all.

 I'm sure that this question has been asked a hundred times, but here goes anyway. I played football in Arkansas starting in Pop Warner, all the way to High School. I have been in the U.S. Army for the last 23 years and have finally retired, and I am now in a place where I can do the things that I have always wanted to do. The #1 thing that I've always wanted to do is become a Referee, and my dream Job would some day be a Division 1 college football Referee. i understand that this is no easy task, and it takes alot of hard work, long hours, and not alot of big paydays along the way, but i am 110% committed and am prepared to do what ever it takes to get there and have 110% support from my family, because of all of the sacrifices that I have made for my family and country, they are more than happy to support me. I would greatly appreciate any assistance, advice, and direction that anyone would be willing to give me  to get the ball moving in the right direction to get me started. I currently live in Braintree, MA. Thank you for taking the time to read this and I apologize for writing so much, but I wanted you to see the passion and drive that I have to make this a reality. Please feel free to email me directly at jag28314@gmail.com and I look forward to hearing and working with you.

[wheels71]

First you must become the best official in your local organization. To do that you must officiate as many games as possible, in my area you can officiate just about every day especially if your willing to drive a few miles. But first things first, if you have not taken an officiating class, get signed up now, they usually start around June or July in Ohio. Someone else on here will be able to direct you to the closest class. Start reading rule book now, even if it is last years version, get familiar with it. Don't get frustrated, it is a long process for most people.

[HLinNC]

Get connected with your local officiating organization there in Mass.
http://www.miaa.net/contentm/easy_pages/view.php?sid=38&page_id=122

[tbarnes13]

Grogan,
I'm a  Mass official from one town over from you. You would be welcome with open arms, especially as a retired vet.

You could join either the Braintree board, or EMAIFO board in Whitman. Braintree board will have you doing BSC games which means driving out to Framingham and Newton on Friday nights during rush hour. Whitman board is more travel for your meetings, but we generally travel south for games. Much easier commutes.

Message me for any info I can help you with.

[JGrogan]

Thank you for the reply MassWing. Either one is absolutely fine with me. i really have no problem traveling, as with anything worth doing, there is always some kind of sacrifice. I love football, always have, and anything that I need to do to get back into it would be awesome. What do i need to do to join the EMAIFO Board? And I really appreciate the fact of helping former Veterans, It was truly an Honor and privilege to do it. Not to get off of the subject, but I have to say, that coming to New England from the south, I have never seen more gratitude and respect shown to Veterans than the people of New England, makes me even prouder of my service. i sincerely thank you. I hope that didnt sound to cheesy, but its the truth. I would greatly appreciate any advice and help that you give me.   

[JGrogan]

I would also like to thank HLinNC and Wheels71, thanks for the information.

[HLinNC]

Good luck!

Tell'em you're related to Steve Grogan, they'll love you

[tbarnes13]

Good luck!

Tell'em you're related to Steve Grogan, they'll love you

This is good advice  . Grogans and Fluties are treated like deities 

Message me with any info you are looking for. I don't want to clog up your thread. In MA, we play by NCAA rules, so stay away from any Fed talk.

[TampaSteve]

Someone from Arkansas, in Mass. ? ?
Goodness, talk about extreme accent differences.
Both yall think to yourselves, 'he talks funny'.  Well, I guess the MA guys think 'he tauwalks wicked funny.'

Just ribbing yall...

[tbarnes13]

That's pretty funny TS. I spend a lot of work time dealing with a company in Texas. One of the guys is a retired official - when I started, I used to bounce questions off the old sage all the time. There's a few R's (ahh's) in my name, and the accent jokes, going both ways, never gets old...

Grogan, when you get to your first game, ask the coach "how y'all doin' t'night?", and tell him you were an official in Texas. You won't hear a peep from him. 

[TampaSteve]

Mass:
I grew up in TN, but been in FL for about 25yrs now.  I turn my accent on/off as needed.
That said, anytime I go up north, I turn on the twang, yall.
Just up in BOS 2 weeks ago (doing business near Harvard, MIT, BU; friends actually in Harvard (the city) too). 
I severaly turned it on just for kicks.

[kerryman71]

Grogan,

Get the NCAA rulebook and as much study material as you can, one of them being The Redding Study Guide to NCAA football.  As was mentioned, MA goes by the NCAA rules.  I started getting into it last year with the benefit (if you call it that) of being laid up with knee surgery.  Unfortunately the recovery took much longer than I expected, but basically right on the money in what the doctor and everyone else expected, so getting on the field this year didn't happen. 

One thing's for sure, you won't watch football like you used to.  It's pretty cool when you catch a penalty during the game or pick up on some obscure one. 

As for the MA accent, I couldn't turn mine off if I wanted to.  If I try to improperly pronounce my R's like everyone else in the country does I feel foolish.  It's so bad even my kids, who are born and bred here, make fun of me, .

John

[shaker55]

Jgrogan,

I'm the president of the EMAIFO. I sent you an email with the details of our meetings and class for new officials. It will be a pleasure to welcome someone as enthusiastic as you to our organization. Welcome to Party!