BECOME A FOOTBALL OFFICIAL!

Football officiating is a very rewarding avocation. When you step onto the football field, whether it is Thursday night for junior high and junior varsity or Friday night for varsity, you can feel the excitement. Officiating football is both physically and mentally challenging. The game of football and the rules are very complex. Each official learns every time he officiates a game.

The Waco Chapter begins it’s season the last Monday in July for new members. Returning officials begin meeting the first Monday in August. We meet each Monday until the regular season is over. We meet at Floyd Casey Stadium (Baylor Stadium) on the third floor of the north end zone complex. The meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. There will also be several educational meetings for the first year officials held at 5:30 p.m. prior to the Chapter meeting.

We are always looking for new officials who love the game and take personal pride in self-improvement. Extensive training is provided to new officials through separate meetings, on field instruction, and pre-season scrimmage participation. The basis of the training for the new official is to give him some basic knowledge of the rules and the mechanics of officiating.

There are some costs in getting started in officiating. There is a $25 membership fee for first year officials. Also, your uniform will cost between $150 and $175. Each new official will usually recoup these costs by mid-season.

Officiating football is a time consuming endeavor. New officials must commit not only to the weekly chapter meeting, but also to be available to work games on Thursday and occasionally on Friday. We also expect officials, both new and experienced, to devote personal time to learning rules and mechanics. When you are through learning, you are through!

If you are interested in learning more about football officiating, please contact Chuck Lewis at 754-7745 or Tom Suitt at 722 7414. Football in Texas is truly special.