TASO Policy Question

[TexDoc]

  I agree with BackJudge.  College officials don't feel the need to contact coaches.  There really is no need.  All stadiums can be found on websites / Google Earth.  In 25+ years, I think maybe we have had the need to reach out to a coach 1 time, and only because the Assigning Secretary said we would need to confirm some issue.

Please tell me you are not comparing college games to the game a Podunk High.  Huge difference.  Bad comparison.

[DallasLJ]

Call the Athletic Department Secretary if you have any issues.  She is going to take care of payment anyway.

[Rulesman]

  I agree with BackJudge.  College officials don't feel the need to contact coaches.  There really is no need.  All stadiums can be found on websites / Google Earth.  In 25+ years, I think maybe we have had the need to reach out to a coach 1 time, and only because the Assigning Secretary said we would need to confirm some issue.

Believe it or not, I know of at least 2 D-II conferences that had the referee send out a Game Day Notice to the schools (both ADs & both coaches) each week. Not sure if they are still doing it, though. BackJudge knows who I'm referring to.

[ElvisLives]

Not really anything to do with the TASO policy, but, as a former FBS referee, I never had reason, was never directed to, nor had any desire to contact any coach prior to a game.  I was directed by my coordinator to contact a coach post-game to discuss an issue with a foreign object being thrown on the field, once.  But, otherwise, no need to contact them.  I had a card prepared to give to each HC at our pre-game meeting with each, with crew names and positions, so they would know our names on the field, as a courtesy.  But, since they had no direct control on who worked their games, it certainly wasn't any form of solicitation.  Heck, I would have preferred that we didn't have a pre-game meeting, and I'd bet most coaches would say the same thing.  Just greet during on-field warm-ups, and move on.
Check the school web sites to verify game time.  If in question, I'd notify my coordinator or assignor and get them to verify.
Just my 2 cents.
Robert

[backjudge85]

I know the D2 conferences Rulesman is referring too and no, I never understood why that was done.  The coaches had the schedules, they knew who was coming and if something changed, the supervisor made the contacts or should have.  Again, it just opens up to many possibilities for things to go south when they don't have too.

[TxBJ]

Call the Athletic Department Secretary if you have any issues.  She is going to take care of payment anyway.

Podunk High doesn't have an athletic secretary!  😄

[JasonTX]

Podunk High doesn't have an athletic secretary!  😄

Our Podunk high we have the Superintendent, Secretary, AD, Head Coach as one person.  Oh, and principal.

[mccormicw]

I call the Head Coach to ask for the secretary's number.   

[bctgp]

There's a clear distinction here between college games and Texas high school games.  A college game (I assume) is likely to be held in the stadium/field where it is initially scheduled.  However, I have heard of numerous examples of varsity games (mainly private schools & 1A) where the crew shows up to the game location provided in the assignment only to find out it was moved to a new location sometimes more than 25+ miles apart. Many times the coaches fail to contact the chapter assigning secretary to inform them.  Also, many coaches on all levels of high school don't always pay attention to the correspondence sent to them in game week from chapter assigning secretaries.  So, I see contacting a coach a few days before the game to verify location, date/time, parking and locker room details -ONLY- as non-solicitation  IMHO.  We should ask TASO to clarify this.

[clearwall]

There's a clear distinction here between college games and Texas high school games.  A college game (I assume) is likely to be held in the stadium/field where it is initially scheduled.  However, I have heard of numerous examples of varsity games (mainly private schools & 1A) where the crew shows up to the game location provided in the assignment only to find out it was moved to a new location sometimes more than 25+ miles apart. Many times the coaches fail to contact the chapter assigning secretary to inform them.  Also, many coaches on all levels of high school don't always pay attention to the correspondence sent to them in game week from chapter assigning secretaries.  So, I see contacting a coach a few days before the game to verify location, date/time, parking and locker room details -ONLY- as non-solicitation  IMHO.  We should ask TASO to clarify this.

That's why you show up for a V game 2 hours prior to the scheduled kickoff. I agree with the others, no need to contact a coach for this. Just go. If something comes up, adjust.

[mobetta285]

I've been involved in a game where the Secretary entered the game into Zebra-Ware for a 7:30 kick. That means you should show up no later than 5:30. Sounds well and fine, until you show up at 5:30 and find out the game kicks at 7pm. I must not be a smooth as everyone who posts on this board, because the change results in a feeling of being rushed, and creates chaos. Now, if a simple contact had been made between the R and the Home Coach confirming kick time, any special ceremonies (i.e., Homecoming, Senior Night, etc.), this is avoided. I still for the life of me can't understand how this would be construed as "Solicitation." I am so naïve enough to believe that solicitation doesn't occur in Texas, but when did we as an organization lose our Customer Service identity?

All that being said, don't compare Texas High School football to NCAA/College games. These are apples and oranges.

My $0.02

[TexDoc]

On a side note, I've had three head coaches call me before games this year.  What the heck am I supposed to do about that?  "Sorry coach, I can't talk to you."  Heck, all they wanted to know is if we were bringing chains, timers, there is construction at the field and park here, whatever.  It is easy for them to find phone numbers in whatever assigning software chapters use.

[mccormicw]

Would be no need to worry about solicitation if the coaches didn't get to pick their crews (like most of the rest of country).   

[slo8140]

It is an interesting system for sure....once your name is known and you are in with the coaches you don't have to worry about your schedule...until that point it is tricky. Try to call the games well and get noticed does not work as well in a coach pick situation. I think we should assign at least part of the season and gradually work to the chapter assigning all the games. Helps younger up and coming crews to move up and move out crews that have passed their prime and don't see the need to improve with the times.