UIL or TASO

[504coach]

Where we you?

It's interesting to read all of the comments about how bad or good or whatever TASO "is". 

My question to all of you is "where were you when we needed you?". 

Lets see now where was I... I doubt anyone in my chapter has brought in more young officials then I have over the past 5 years.  I am personally responsible for atleast 22 new members joining the association, and retaining 17 of them as of this past season.

As a volunteer organization, we work to change mechanics, apply for new UIL exceptions, manage the TASO office, look for opportunities to train, look for ways to make things better, and/or just try to make it through the year with officials that call EVERY foul or officials that won't enforce the rules.

I too have sent in many suggestions on Mechanics changes, I got up and spoke at the College Station state meeting about the joke of a retention program TASO state has.

Where were you when we asked for training material?

Where were you when I asked for a suggestion on setting up the website to accept evaluation cards on-line to keep track of the coaches that actually turn them in and to track crews

Where were you when we asked for suggestions for the mechanics manual?

Where were you when we held the State Meeting in McAllen?

I was no where near McAllen thats a fact jack.

The simple point is, 98% of the football officials in my chapter, or yours, don't give a damn about anything other than their schedule.  They don't get involved in the Chapter, and they damned sure don't get involved in the state organization.

I suggest you find higher quality of men to become officials if that is all you have.  Don't get me wrong in Houston it is only about 35% but that is a lot more then 2 %

So, B&W go ahead and complain about Ray and the TASO Board.  It doesn't matter.  In the end, when football starts in the spring or in August, the officials will ask "what's my schedule" and won't know that the UIL took over; or failed in a take over.  Nor will they care.

If you want to help, get involved.  Ask how you can help and help. 

What makes you think we don't ask to get involved.  This is your first post but I bet you have watched from the shadows for a while.  Why did you not get involved before tonight?  I learn more on here and the old gmcgriff site then I learn off of the TASO state website that is for sure.

If you don't, just get the hell out of the way.

[UT-Ex and FB Ref]

Gee EX, I missed those emails from the TASO leadership crying for help.  If it weren't for Refstripes.com (Doc & TXMike), many of us wouldn't have even known there was a process for submitting suggestions.  I did submit suggestions, they were rejected--nothing was ever communicated as to why my idea was bad or why the current mechanic was better.  Had there been good communication from the TASO leadership, these committees that aim to serve as an arm of the board might have been full of good ideas.  Somehow, only certain district directors and their cronies get those calls to serve I guess.  Many good ideas are out there in the hearts and minds of officials who don't know the system or have certainly no realistic chance to get elected to a TASO director position...so they die on the vine because there isn't and hasn't been a two-way pipeline for change in this organization.  Every year, new people run for office in the local chapter and don't win.  You can't change the constitution and put in term limits because it requires an unreal number of members (75%) who are way to spread out to actually show up at the same time for a meeting.  The political system at every level is locked down by the good ol' boy network.  It isn't very friendly to new people or new ideas!

I work a lot of 2A football for $75 game checks (thats $750 over the course of a season for the mathematically challenged).  A plane ticket to Harlingen, a weekend rental car and a $75/night hotel room was a little more than I could bear.  Maybe it was a dumb decision to hold the meeting in McAllen!  Of course, if you just wanted the "good ol boys" to get together for their annual golf game and pow wow, the $500 trip is only a couple of game checks for the big dogs that run the show.  Maybe El Paso next year?

I really want there to be a TASO, but I'm not giving TASO any more of my money to be a status quo organization.  The UIL guys are formulating a plan...it's not perfect and probably never will be, but as TASO is now fighting for their lives, I'd like to see them more on Offense than Defense.  What is TASO 2011 going to look like guys?  It's only 1 month until I have to make a decision.  Convince me please!



OK, let's go back.  TASO FB has asked for training tapes/dvd etc for four straight years.  If you didn't get that message, go back and talk to your President, Secretary, and/or District Director. 

McAllen?  My flight cost me $178 round trip.  Share a room or not, there and back for under $300 all tax deductible.

Go to the UIL.  Spend your money like you want.  Follow your conscious.  Everyone else will follow the money.

TexDoc, you're right, some of it is preaching to the choir, but of all the posters here, only a couple give enough of a damn to help.  But, they'll damned sure bitch and moan. 

And that's at the chapter and state level.   

[UT-Ex and FB Ref]

oh yeah.  mcallen was the only spot that offered to have the meeting. 

AND it was a damned good meeting.

no good old boys.  no golf. no drinking.  just an offer for a meeting, a viable venue, and a willing chapter.

if you don't like it, take it up with your chapter leadership.  they could've bid on it and we could've been in wherever you are. 

damn.  that's an idea!  get involved!!

[blackandwhite1]

UT-Ex.........Keep posting.....you are making the UIL look better and better after everyone of your posts. TASO does not give a damn about the little guys (chapters) and they never will. Its about keeping the good ole boy system running and helping the TASO leaders get to the next level or conference.............period.

[IllegalShift]

UT-Ex.........Keep posting.....you are making the UIL look better and better after everyone of your posts. TASO does not give a damn about the little guys (chapters) and they never will. Its about keeping the good ole boy system running and helping the TASO leaders get to the next level or conference.............period.

Now that's funny right there.

TASO Football President, Immediate Past President and the President before him are all past the prime of their careers, all 30+ years of service to Texas high school football, none of them ever worked above the ASC/Lone Star level, two of them only work on the field part time.  Yes sir, the hundreds of hours each of them has given to TASO has really fueled their careers.  You don’t have a clue.

[TxJim]

UT-Ex.........Keep posting.....you are making the UIL look better and better after everyone of your posts. TASO does not give a damn about the little guys (chapters) and they never will. Its about keeping the good ole boy system running and helping the TASO leaders get to the next level or conference.............period.

Blackandwhite1  It really seems to me that the reason you think your chapter (and TASO) doesn't give a damn about you is probably because you don't give a damn about it (them).
You really sound really similar to a couple of enlisted guys in my AF unit who used to bitch and moan about not get promoted, yet didn't study for promotion tests, showed no motivation to learn their jobs to the next level, no esprit de corps or pride in their unit, volunteered for nothing, and yet were the first to complain about anyone who got what they thought was a 'good deal' while not wanting to recognize it as a reward for service above self.  Yeah, you sound exactly like you are one of those guys.

If you want to walk to UIL, then do it.  After all, everything is all about you.

[Arbitrator]

UT-Ex.........Keep posting.....you are making the UIL look better and better after everyone of your posts. TASO does not give a damn about the little guys (chapters) and they never will. Its about keeping the good ole boy system running and helping the TASO leaders get to the next level or conference.............period.

blackandwhite1: You are the stereotypical type of official that the good UIL Dr. and his Dancing Monkey wants in order to further their goals; someone who hasn't really achieved that much in their career that they can "use" in their quest to disassemble TASO by pitting the small chapters against the large chapters, the less experienced officials against the highly seasoned veteran officials, and if need be, by racial profiling. All this is being done in the name of ultimately lowering our game compensation to the rediculously low levels found in the Federation states. I have loved every moment of my 30 year career in Texas and I would absolutely love to see all the younger officials be able to exceed my accomplishments. Just as I was once a young official, I tried my best to surround myself with as many of the hard-working veterans that I could. I even emulated what they did for me: I worked as many subvarsity games that I could to try to teach them as best I could, about the rules, mechanics, and the other intangible lessons of calling football. SOA and TASO offered me that medium. In a sentence, what happened to the good old-fashioned work ethic? 


I fully expect you to be with Mr. T at his Invitational December 19th Soiree in San Antonio. Enjoy the games and the UIL fellowship, blackandwhite1; I really believe that the UIL has you squarely where they want you!

[texref]

Dr B and Mr T are both coaches (b-ball no less). Don't know about Cliff O but not sure he is as involved as the other 2 in this.

TXMike,
Just to clarify Dr. B was a B-ball coach and Timmons was a B-ball official (heard he claimed to be a former NBA official in Tyler on Monday night). Cliff Odenwald was a long time football coach. Was one time head coach @ McMurry and finished his coaching career at Naaman Forest HS in Garland. After a few years as Assistant AD in Garland ISD was named AD for Plano ISD before going to UIL. Of all involved he is the one I respect the most and the one I am most disappointed in. He has always been a class act. Unfortunately it looks like he has been pushed to the back in favor of the drivers ed teacher. He has too much integrity to play their game but apparently has to stay silent. I hope he finds a way out of there.

[blackandwhite1]

Its just so funny how many of you guys assume you think you know who I am. You are not even close. I have officiated well over 25 years consecutively. The last 10 plus here in Texas. Guys I am an elected member of my little chapter. My guys work extremely hard and are routinely rewarded with just a handful of playoff games. I am in front of my chapter every single meeting, I work hard to find educational material that will not only teach them something but also keep their attention. I too have been in the ASC/Lone Star conferences, but it just doesn't mean as much to me today as that it did back then. But I know why the guys want to keep TASO around. It is so that they can move up either by conference or by the fact it might get them in to the replay booth, they all have their motives. But each and every year it is getting worse, training materials are scarce, website sucks and the big chapters suck up all the gravy. Guess I'm just getting tired of telling the boys, It will be your turn someday. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones, when I was in San Antonio, they treated me fairly but they knew I was coming after their positions....but I learned a lot from those guys, moved the the metroplex and those guys wont even give you the time of day, I suspect its like that in most of the larger chapters, But I also know they have to be worriednabout their 5 year chain workers crossing the line and getting games. They will, have  no  doubt abut . Good luck next year BIG BOYS..... we little brothers want to work football and make no doubt WE WILL.

[TXMike]

TXMike,
Just to clarify Dr. B was a B-ball coach and Timmons was a B-ball official (heard he claimed to be a former NBA official in Tyler on Monday night). Cliff Odenwald was a long time football coach. Was one time head coach @ McMurry and finished his coaching career at Naaman Forest HS in Garland. After a few years as Assistant AD in Garland ISD was named AD for Plano ISD before going to UIL. Of all involved he is the one I respect the most and the one I am most disappointed in. He has always been a class act. Unfortunately it looks like he has been pushed to the back in favor of the drivers ed teacher. He has too much integrity to play their game but apparently has to stay silent. I hope he finds a way out of there.

Was just going off some things I had read in the past.  From UIL Leaguer:

Tony Timmons, Assistant Athletic Director – Timmons started at the UIL in August and has already hit the ground running working with high school officials across Texas.
      Timmons will oversee the officials division of the UIL and will be in charge of registering officials for all UIL athletic activities. His duties also include selecting officials for all playoff and state championship games.
    Over his career, Timmons has officiated athletic events at all levels, from high school to professional leagues. He also has  worked as a coach and educator in the Texas public school system.


From alpineavalanche.com:

Timmons, a graduate of Wellman High School, received his undergraduate and master’s degrees from Sul Ross. He coached at Valentine, Alpine and Fort Davis. He has officiated sporting events from high school to professional leagues. Although Timmons has moved to Austin to fulfill his UIL duties, he will continue to operate the Harvard Hotel and H.E. Sproul Ranch in Fort Davis with his wife, Kerith

SHOW ME THE MONEY!
There has been discussion related to the financial windfall that will befall UIL if this attempt succeeds.  So maybe we should look at the UIL and their money.
This is their financial report for07-08:   http://www.uil.utexas.edu/policy/pdf/07_08financial_report.pdf

Jumping out at me -
1 - Under membership fees there is no indication any other judge/official involved in UIL events is charged   Only the schools have to pay a membership fee
2 - in the 07-08 year they received a grant from TEA for 3 million to do steroid testing.But they only spent 1.4 million.  That left them with 1.6 million   They threw that in with all their other income and expenses so even though the end of year showed them up 1.3 million, take out the steroid money and they lost 300,000.  The steroid money can only be usedfor steroid testing.  (the $750,000 they stand to gain from us would obviously be very beneficial)

[TXMike]

Some info from our District Director re the meeting in Dallas:

.  All chapter presidents and secretaries (or representative) from across the state was present.  The purpose of the meeting was to provide information on our stance regarding UIL and obtain feedback from the representatives.

The meeting began with a quick update by Gary Schumann, TASO attorney representing us in the lawsuit against UIL.  This is the same attorney that represented our officials in their lawsuit.  He knows how and why we operate and will do a great job for us.  

Bud Alexander then gave us some history of TASO.  Some 37 years ago the UIL asked for a state organization to represent football officials.  Southwest Football Officials Association (SFOA) was born and existed until the late 80’s at which time there was a consolidation of all sport officials into Southwest Officials Assn. (SOA).  As different sports grew in our school systems there became a need for a larger organization, Texas Association of Sports Officials (TASO).  All of these had the input and support of the UIL.

From the beginning everyone involved agreed that the best structure for Texas athletic events was equivalent to a 3 legged stool, UIL, Schools, and TASO.  As this implies each would operate separately and if one was removed, the stool would fall.  We strongly believe we are at this point now.

Mr. Alexander also provided details of “how did we get here”.  To summarize, since 2007 there have been many meetings between TASO and the UIL They involved, among other things, our proposal to amend 1204 pay and mileage issues at the request of UIL.  We made four presentations with no response until we heard “we (UIL) got you the largest pay increase in years”.  Basically, it was the proposal presented by TASO.  Also, UIL was upset because we would not provide them with our member database.  Since this database contained sensitive personal information, we were advised by legal counsel not to comply.  

When Mr. Alexander finished, the floor was opened to the chapter representatives.  All of the chapters indicated they were going to proceed with “business as usual”.  Each will carry out their drafts (picks) as in the past and present all official that are in good standing, as defined by their local chapter, to the coaches.  All of the chapters will collect dues and submit them to TASO by the February 1, 2010 deadline.  Mr. Parker (President) indicated a member could request a refund of their state due and they will be paid.  A deadline for these requests has not been established at this time.

[JasonTX]

Good luck next year BIG BOYS..... we little brothers want to work football and make no doubt WE WILL.

Per UIL rules you must still be a member of a TASO chapter to receive assignments.  Now the big question.  Who is going to assign you?  I don't know the bylaws of your chapter, but most bylaws include a statement that in order to receive assignments you must be a member in good standing.  Paying your chapter and TASO dues is typically part of the qualifier to be a member in good standing.  So, you may want to start supporting TASO by paying your dues if you want to receive an assignment.

[GameWillTravel]

Do  you really want The MAN looking over your shoulder

[Cooter]

Do  you really want The MAN looking over your shoulder

If you are somewhere where THE MAN does not already look over your shoulder, please enlighten me. 

[Randy Dale]

Because this is becoming such a personal and intense issue, because all opinions are important, and because not everyone on this board knows everyone else by their username, would anyone, besides me, be willing to start posting under his/her real name?

[Cooter]

Because this is becoming such a personal and intense issue, because all opinions are important, and because not everyone on this board knows everyone else by their username, would anyone, besides me, be willing to start posting under his/her real name?

[Etref]

Because this is becoming such a personal and intense issue, because all opinions are important, and because not everyone on this board knows everyone else by their username, would anyone, besides me, be willing to start posting under his/her real name?

I always have!   

[ETXZebra]

Because this is becoming such a personal and intense issue, because all opinions are important, and because not everyone on this board knows everyone else by their username, would anyone, besides me, be willing to start posting under his/her real name?

Randy, I don't mind, but what is the purpose?  Who is wanting to know?

Gary Galyon

[Randy Dale]

Actually there are a couple of reasons.  Those of us who have been around for a while pretty much know who the TASO sympathizers and detractors are, and we know who has a vested interest in perpetuating the stats quo, and we readers should be able to gusge a poster's credibility when read their opinions.  Also, there some who merely read this cite just to gauge who is saying what. I don't see any harm in us coming out from behind veil of anonymity. Afterall, we are ALL in this for the kids, aren't we?

[Cooter]

who the TASO sympathizers and detractors are, and we know who has a vested interest in perpetuating the stats quo, and we readers should be able to gusge a poster's credibility

So we can get rid of those who don't have opinions exactly like ours.   

[Parallex]

Afterall, we are ALL in this for the kids, aren't we?

Randy, are you a coach?

[blackandwhite1]

Randy Dale is a longtime official from Abilene.

[DonM]

Wish he were still here, but he's now in central Texas, laid up with a blown knee.
Don Morran - Abilene (since 1970)

[Parallex]

Randy Dale is a longtime official from Abilene.

Thanks
I'm wondering why the phrase is used as a frame for the discussion.  It gives the impression anyone who has a differing opinion is "anti-children" and is one that is often used by coaches.

[Mark Liggett]

Because this is becoming such a personal and intense issue, because all opinions are important, and because not everyone on this board knows everyone else by their username, would anyone, besides me, be willing to start posting under his/her real name?

Ditto's Randy - I'm in.....