Mid-Florida Officials Association
FROM: Ralph Messer, Secretary
SUBJECT: Executive Board Meeting of July 13, 2008
The meeting which was held at the Ocala Star Banner was called to order by the President, Bud Holt, at 5:28 PM.
Attending: Bud Holt, Jeff Pole, Ralph Messer, Ted Bedford, Wade Clayton, Richard Sullivan, Jeff D’Amelio, Reid Sergent, Dan Cannon, Carlton Dill, James Law, and Terry Lee, Bob Leahy, Dick VanAuker, Tinker Bowen.
Not Attending: Al Summers, Paul Gery, and Saul Speights
Selection of Referees for 2008-09: The board, along with Dick VanAuker and Tinker Bowen, two Referees from the 2007-08 year, selected the applicants listed below for Primary, Alternate, and JV/9th Grade Referees. Note: All applicants will work games below the level in which they are selected.
Primary Referees
Larry Mayhew Wayne Hunter Paul Gery
Al Summers Ron Siders Bill Bowie
Richard “Dick” VanAuker Wade Clayton A.F. “Bud” Holt, Jr.
Wm. “Tinker” Bowen Bob Nelson Joe Rigney
Alternate Referees
Ted Bedford Bob Leahy Jeff D’Amelio
David Jones Precley Owens Joseph McCloud
Reid Sergent Carl Dill Dave Hancock
Rick Howard Jim Curington
JV/9th Grade Referees
Terri Adams Eric Ascher Jim Gregitis
John Cramer Charley Anderson Georgette Robinson
The board wishes to thank Dick and Tinker for their assistance in making these selections.
Selection of the Inspector: The President nominated Dick VanAuker to be the new Inspector. The nomination was disapproved by the Board by a 6 – 5 vote. Two other applicants, Bob Leahy and Larry Huxley, were then placed on the ballot, with Bob Leahy being selected as the Inspector.
Vice President’s Report: Reid Sergent read a letter from Al Summers regarding his preapproved absence from the meeting for business purposes. It also included his wishes for the association to do a better job with year with evaluations and have these evaluations ready to present to the FHSAA at the time of submission of playoff crews recommendations. It also included Al’s recommendation for the position of Inspector.
Treasurer’s Report: Jeff Pole gave a short recap of expenses and income since the annual business meeting. Expenses included the cost for the business meeting and for the annual banquet.
Secretary’s Report: The secretary reported that registration for 2008-09 is progressing slowly. At present there are 10 new football members registered.
The Secretary also clarified that new members can only receive the waiver for paying membership dues one time. If a new (rookie) member registers for only one sport and receives the waiver, he/she must pay the membership fees if he/she registers for additional sports in subsequent years.
The Secretary stated that he had received information that Test Exemption is now available for officials who have been an FHSAA Rated 1 for five consecutive years. Officials who take advantage of the exemption must take the test the year following the exemption. The officials’ grade from the previous year will be used. The official(s) who wish to have the exemption must apply, using the applicable FHSAA form which can be found on the FHSAA web site. Information regarding this can be found in the new FHSAA Officials Guidebook, section 103.02(1) on page 9.
The board instructed the Secretary that late fees for registration after the applicable date will apply during 2008-09.
The Secretary advised the board that contact has been made with Honig’s in Ft. Lauderdale, who supplies officials with all needed equipment, has agreed to come to the Football All-Day Clinic at North Marion High School on Saturday, August 16, 2008. They will bring equipment for each of the sports worked by the MFOA (football, basketball, baseball, and softball)
Booking Commissioner’s Report (football/basketball): Wade Clayton reported most contracts have been received from the schools. We lost two schools and gained one or two. Booking will again be on the Arbiter.
Booking Commissioner’s Report (baseball/softball): Richard Sullivan advised that contacts will be mailed to the schools in the next week or two. He stated that the number of games may be cut by the Citrus County School board, both Varsity and Sub Varsity. It was noted that Marion County might be doing the same.
Web Master’s Report: Jeff D’Amelio reported that some changes are being made to the MFOA Web site to make it more user friendly and that changes will continue to be made to improve the system.
Jeff also reported on the FHSAA Leadership meeting, which he and Wade attended on June 14, 2008. The primary focus was on recruiting of new officials and several alternatives were suggested, some of which will be implemented by the MFOA.
Football Directors’ Report: Ted Bedford, Carl Dill and Reid Sergent discussed the upcoming meetings, especially the All-Day clinic. It was determined that 2 points will be given for the Friday evening meeting as a separated clinic and 10 points will be given for the all-day clinic on Saturday. All Referees for 2008 will be required to attend the Referee meeting following the Kickoff meeting on 7/14/2008. In addition there will be a new officials meeting following the regular meeting on 7/14.
Basketball Directors’ Report: Terry Lee stated that a plan needs to be made and implemented for evaluations of officials for the 2008-09 basketball season. These evaluations must be made available to the FHSAA at the time playoff crews recommendations are sent to the FHSAA.
Baseball Director’s Report: In Paul Gery’s Absence, there was no report made.
Softball Director’s Report: Jim Law reported on the problems encountered in making scrimmages available to softball officials. He reported that some headway is being made in this regards, but that we are primarily at the mercy of the schools as some have been scheduled, but were cancelled at the last minute by the schools.
New Business: The Secretary read a report of investigation from Al Summers into allegations of booking improprieties by the Baseball/Softball Booking Commissioner. This investigation was initiated at the request of the FHSAA after a letter of complaint was received by the FHSAA. The investigation cited that several officials who were not on the MFOA Relative Rating or the FHSAA muster, or were suspended by the FHSAA were being booked. Richard Sullivan stated that most of the cited violations were before the tests and that these officials were removed. Richard stated that he has a record of these changes even thought they were not posted. Richard also stated that he is going to work with Wade Clayton and will use the Arbiter program, beginning this year. A motion was made by Ralph Messer that the President appoint Bob Leahy to get with Richard and check his files to see if the allegations can be substantiated and report to the board at the August meeting. Second by Dan Cannon. The motion passed.
There being no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned.