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Football Officiating => General Discussion => Topic started by: NorCalMike on October 19, 2014, 03:33:17 PM

Title: Recruitment of new officials
Post by: NorCalMike on October 19, 2014, 03:33:17 PM
Our association, like many others, is chronically short of officials. This coming Friday we are unable to provide all the crews we need cover all the games.

I am looking for ideas for recruiting new officials. What have you guys tried? What worked and what didn't? Any ideas would be nice.
Title: Re: Recruitment of new officials
Post by: JasonTX on October 19, 2014, 07:42:51 PM
We have tried setting up a table at the Mall, placed newspaper ads, hung fliers up at local stores.  But, by far the #1 recruiting tool was each of our members word of mouth.  We might get 1 or 2 individuals from the first source, but 25-30 each year by way of our own members.
Title: Re: Recruitment of new officials
Post by: DallasLJ on October 20, 2014, 12:09:42 AM
Local college intermural sports departments.  They already have kids officiating games, so get them to make extra $ by joining local chapter and moving on up.
Title: Re: Recruitment of new officials
Post by: bossman72 on October 20, 2014, 10:21:05 AM
Dads that coach or have coached youth football.  Get to them at the end of this year (especially if their boy is no longer going to be in the youth program next year).
Title: Re: Recruitment of new officials
Post by: kerryman71 on October 20, 2014, 12:37:37 PM
How about set up a table at the games you guys are officiating?

John
Title: Re: Recruitment of new officials
Post by: Etref on October 20, 2014, 12:39:44 PM
How about set up a table at the games you guys are officiating?

John

That would just be a complaint table for disgruntled mms and dads who don't know what they are seeing
Title: Re: Recruitment of new officials
Post by: Legacy Zebra on October 20, 2014, 12:46:13 PM
How about set up a table at the games you guys are officiating?

John

Maybe with a sign like "Don't like the calls? Sign up here to make them yourself."  :sTiR:
Title: Re: Recruitment of new officials
Post by: RMR on October 20, 2014, 01:18:05 PM
We have a member who hosted a pair of "High School 101" classes at the local library - he covered rules and a little bit of officiating philosophy, showed some film clips, had a few other guys come in and talk about their officiating experiences, etc. and then made a recruiting pitch at the end.

We wound up getting about 15-20 serious new members from that endeavour.
Title: Re: Recruitment of new officials
Post by: kerryman71 on October 20, 2014, 01:27:11 PM
Okay, how about set up the table and then leave before gametime?  ;D


John
Title: Re: Recruitment of new officials
Post by: Ralph Damren on October 21, 2014, 08:12:04 AM
Many of our best officials are former coaches that left because of PMS (Parental Meddling Syndrome). They are focused on the game ,as an official should be, not "flag happy" ^flag ^flag ^flag ^flag as some new guys are. They welcome the anonymity that we officials have and ease of schedule over daily practices and game plans and reviews. Suggestion : Give the former coaches a year away form the game and then call to see if they missed it. If they did, well we're looking for "a few good men..."
Title: Re: Recruitment of new officials
Post by: goodgrr on October 21, 2014, 08:35:16 AM
I'd agree Ralph; as an ex player/coach I took a few years away from the game due to family time pressure.  Well worth trying again in later years when the kids have grow up.
Title: Re: Recruitment of new officials
Post by: Wingmanbp on October 21, 2014, 12:31:32 PM
When anyone asked me how I like officiating, I tell them its the next best thing to playing or coaching.
Title: Re: Recruitment of new officials
Post by: TxCoach on October 30, 2014, 02:10:37 PM
What's the best way to get into officiating?  I'd like to get involved.
Title: Re: Recruitment of new officials
Post by: Etref on October 30, 2014, 02:53:18 PM
What's the best way to get into officiating?  I'd like to get involved.

Contact your local chapter. If you do not have their information, send me a PM with your location and I will send you the contact info.
Title: Re: Recruitment of new officials
Post by: Rulesman on October 30, 2014, 04:02:45 PM
When anyone asked me how I like officiating, I tell them its the next best thing to playing or coaching.
U  sNiCkErS on my old crew used to say officiating was the most fun he had going for him with his clothes on.
Title: Re: Recruitment of new officials
Post by: Etref on October 31, 2014, 10:02:52 AM
Contact your local chapter. If you do not have their information, send me a PM with your location and I will send you the contact info.

I tried to reply to your email but it bounces back.

You are in the Dallas area, contact. Dfoasecretary@aol.com
Title: Re: Recruitment of new officials
Post by: TampaSteve on November 05, 2014, 09:50:45 AM
Word of mouth.
HS coaches are a good source too (ala kids moving on after their days are over & they can stay in the game - and make good money for an 18yr old)
Title: Re: Recruitment of new officials
Post by: WestGaHL on November 09, 2014, 06:23:47 PM
Local college intramural sports departments.  They already have kids officiating games, so get them to make extra $ by joining local chapter and moving on up.

That's exactly how I got started. As long as you can get a hold of someone that has pull with those officials (Assistant Director/Coordinator of Intramural Sports), you can always count on getting a few to come out.
Title: Re: Recruitment of new officials
Post by: HLinNC on November 09, 2014, 06:40:38 PM
I had some varsity players on my JV chain crew Wed night so I pitched.  Only one was a senior.  He was telling me he wanted to help coach.   hEaDbAnG
Title: Re: Recruitment of new officials
Post by: Reverend30 on November 09, 2014, 08:02:42 PM
I had some varsity players on my JV chain crew Wed night so I pitched.  Only one was a senior.  He was telling me he wanted to help coach.   hEaDbAnG

You should have told him that if he officiates, he gets to have time to pay attention to another job, hobbies, maybe a family, a fairly regular sleeping schedule and occasional leisure time.

Or, he can coach.   pHiNzuP
Title: Re: Recruitment of new officials
Post by: TxCoach on November 10, 2014, 08:23:57 AM
I tried to reply to your email but it bounces back.

You are in the Dallas area, contact. Dfoasecretary@aol.com


I'm sorry about that, this account is pretty old and I haven't been at that school for 5 years.  I've updated my account with my correct email address.

I talked to DallasLJ through a PM and he was kind enough to offer me a spot filling in on a chain gang for his crew Friday night.  I had a blast and really enjoyed being able to see things from the dark other side's perspective.

Title: Re: Recruitment of new officials
Post by: kerryman71 on November 10, 2014, 10:39:10 AM
I had some varsity players on my JV chain crew Wed night so I pitched.  Only one was a senior.  He was telling me he wanted to help coach.   hEaDbAnG

Talk to him halfway through next season and see how he feels.  I was originally going to get into officiating when my son started playing youth football.  In the offseason the coach calls me and tells me he wants me to be his assistant, so I did.  A season and a half and I'm all set with that.

John
Title: Re: Recruitment of new officials
Post by: clearwall on November 10, 2014, 11:14:31 AM

I'm sorry about that, this account is pretty old and I haven't been at that school for 5 years.  I've updated my account with my correct email address.

I talked to DallasLJ through a PM and he was kind enough to offer me a spot filling in on a chain gang for his crew Friday night.  I had a blast and really enjoyed being able to see things from the dark other side's perspective.

Where did you go? If you had come with me, I could have introduced you to dfoasecretary@aol.com, he was my clock operator Friday night.  LOL
Title: Re: Recruitment of new officials
Post by: TxCoach on November 10, 2014, 12:03:27 PM
Where did you go? If you had come with me, I could have introduced you to dfoasecretary@aol.com, he was my clock operator Friday night.  LOL

I was at Prestonwood vs Bishop Lynch.
Title: Re: Recruitment of new officials
Post by: clearwall on November 10, 2014, 12:35:40 PM
Prestonwood, boy they can move the ball cant they? I think Michael Irvin's son plays for them.
Title: Re: Recruitment of new officials
Post by: DallasLJ on November 10, 2014, 01:24:50 PM
Prestonwood, boy they can move the ball cant they? I think Michael Irvin's son plays for them.

 He had a big game.  100+ yards receiving, couple TDs.  Unfortunately, one big fumble at about the 1/2 yard line that became a touchback.  6 point difference in game.