July 12: There will be a new web site address which will be introduced in the next few weeks. A formal announcement will be made then. www.mfoa.us

July 8: Dear Friends,
Your prayers are working!!! Tuesday was Bud's check up with Dr. Z. Bud has had another bout of diarrhea caused by the one chemo he takes weekly. The Dr. had cut the strength and was giving it every week instead of a massive dose every two weeks. Well, it has left Bud so very weak and to be honest with you, I had packed an overnight bag just in case the Dr. wanted to put him in the hospital for and IV drip. It's not that I didn't have faith, but just "being prepared" is what I call it. And Bud and I prayed Monday night for good reports and strength for Bud. (Ok, I know. I shouldn't have packed that bag!!) Well, the Dr. came in and took one look at Bud and told
him how bad he looked and that the cancer is not the problem. Then told him the good news. The cancer markers are way, way down. The chemo is working. But....... It is beating up on Bud and so the Dr. is giving him a vacation from it and says it will not cause any problems as far as making progress. He will stay on the other chemo and go weekly for that one. So the news is good. The solution now is to refurbish Bud's body with nutrients and get him built back up where he should be. His blood count and platelets are very good. All tests are good except he just needs to eat, eat, eat!!!! This sounds easy enough but the problem is, Bud has lost most of his taste buds
and will not eat anything he can't taste. Says it is like eating cardboard. So continue your prayers for they are working and God is awesome in the way HE works. HE is teaching me some things for sure. I am still trying to help him and HE is still the stronger one!! Love you all and we are so blest to have you for a friend. May HE bless you in a very special way!!!

                            From the Heart,

                                     Eileen and Bud

FHSAA registration for Fall-sports begins Friday, June 11, 2010. As always, it is best to register with the FHSAA online (www.fhsaa.org).

MFOA registration forms are also available (as pdf files) on the Arbiter. Log-on to the Arbiter as usual. Click on the “LISTS” tab, then click on the “FORMS” button just below the LISTS tab.

This year, there is a packet containing instructions and the necessary forms. The forms may be filled-in on your computer then printed. Otherwise, you can print them and fill-in by hand. Please write legibly. You can also open each individual form, if you so choose. You will not be able to save the forms unless you have other software that allows it.

As always, there is a separate form for Football Referee Appointment. If you wish to be considered for appointment as a football referee, this form must be submitted by July 9. This form is a pdf file to fill-in and print OR a Word document that you can fill-in, save, and email to mfoasecretary@yahoo.com.

June 10: There will be a basketball state field clinic in Gainesville. See this.

Dear Friends,
This has been a very tiring week for Bud. The chemo caused diarrhea
and so Bud has been very sick this past week. He went in for a visit with his
Dr on Monday. The doc was so concerned about Bud, he admitted him to the
hospital. He was dehydrated, potassium level very, very low and and blood
count low too. So he was hooked up to an IV for several days in order to get
all these levels back up to where they should be. Then yesterday he had 2
units of blood and today he was discharged. He is resting but still tired.
I am very concerned about Bud. He is fighting with everything he has and is
looking forward to the day he will beat this old stuff. But he continues
to be so weak. His weight is down to 156 lbs now. The Dr. has taken him off
the chemo for a couple of weeks and I am hoping that will be enough of a
break to give him a little more energy and a boost. Your continued prayers are
very much needed and appreciated. I thank you with all my heart and Bud
does too.
Leen

May 20: John Farmer reports that after surgery in Miami to relieve a clot in her brain Vicki Miller was moved to the Specialty Select Hospital on Archer Road in Gainesville. She can communicate at times but is very limited in her abilities. It is going to take a long time.

May 19:Commissioner Emeritus Floyd E. Lay dies at 94

FHSAA Commissioner Emeritus Floyd E. Lay died Wednesday morning at age 94 of natural causes.

Born in Piedmont, Ala., he was reared in Lakeland, Fla., where he was a multi-sport standout in both high school and college. Lay earned four letters in baseball, three letters in basketball and captained both teams at Lakeland High School. He played three years of varsity basketball at Florida Southern College, where he also served as captain.

Lay earned his undergraduate degree in three years with a major in science and a minor in math. His master’s degree was received from the same institution with a major in educational administration and supervision. In the 1939 State AAU Basketball Tournament he set a national single-game tournament scoring record with 41 points. He was selected to the all-star basketball teams in high school, college and AAU competition.

Following graduation from college in 1941, he became head basketball coach, head baseball coach and assistant football coach at DeSoto County High School in Arcadia. He taught physics, math and physical education.

After four years service in the Army Air Corps, he returned to Lakeland and was appointed Supervisor of Physical Education for Lakeland Public School, and later served as Director of Educational Services for the Polk County School System from 1946-1956.

For many years he excelled as a high school and collegiate sports official in basketball and baseball, and conducted rules clinics throughout Florida and in several other states. He officiated 12 consecutive state high school basketball tournaments and umpired numerous district and state high school baseball tournaments. He served as a Southeastern Conference basketball official for 11 years, and officiated the first three Gator Bowl Basketball Tournaments. He also served as an umpire in two National Federation baseball rules films, “Baseball for Millions” and “Baseball by The Code,” and on the National Federation basketball rules film, “Basketball for Millions.”

Lay joined the staff of the Florida High School Activities Association as Director of Field Services on July 1, 1956. He became chief executive officer on Mar. 29, 1963. During his tenure in that office, the FHSAA developed one of the nation’s finest high school athletic and non-athletic programs. Lay served on the executive committee of the National Federation of State High School Associations from 1972-76, and was its president from 1975-76. He was a member of the NFHS Football Rules Committee for 22 years, was the chairman of the NFHS Girls Basketball Rules Committee, and was a member of the NFHS Boys Basketball Rules Committee. Lay was also active as a member of the U.S. Olympic Basketball Committee, acting as vice-chairman from 1972-80, and was on the Board of Directors from 1964-80.

Lay is a member of seven halls of fame: the National High School Sports Hall of Fame, Florida Sports Hall of Fame, Florida High School Athletic Hall of Fame, Florida Southern College Sports Hall of Fame, Polk County Sports Hall of Fame, Polk County Schools Hall of Fame, and the Lakeland High School Athletic Hall of Fame. He received the Distinguished American Award from the National Football Federation in 1978. The FHSAA Floyd E. Lay Sunshine Cup All-Sports Awards program is named for him.

Lay is survived by his wife of 68 years, Laretha; three children, Sandra, Jim and Sharon; and four grandchildren. A private funeral will be held Friday, May 21, in Lakeland. The family asks that a contribution be made to any charity in lieu of flowers.
From the FHSAA web site

May 12: Bob Nelson reports that John Farmer and his lady friend Vicki Miller, one of our football ECOs, were in the Bahamas. Vicki fell and hit her head. She has been in a coma for several weeks. Now in a hospital in Miami.

Subj: Latest on Bud..5/10/10

Well, this is the latest and it is really not much different than before
but I told you I would keep you up on everything.
>
We saw the Dr today and he is a little confused with Bud. He is no worse
nor is he all that much better. The stomach is still with fluid but it
doesn't seem to be filling as fast and is not as uncomfortable as it was.Maybe ,
just maybe this is a positive thing. He is growing a beard because the
chemo breaks his face out with an acne type skin problem. The Dr. says he
looks good with the beard. Take my word for it, he does not!!!

Bud is not the best patient there is. He thinks he knows everything.
Doesn't like to follow my orders and I am so good at giving them, but today the
Dr gave him the same orders that I have been giving and so we will see if
this will do any good. First of all...he has lost his taste buds for just
about everything and I understand that. But , I tell him to drink 5 of the
Boost each day and that will take care of nutrition. (His gastro Dr. has
already told him this.) How soon he forgets. And today he was told he needs to
drink more fluids. Hello Bud, that is why your Blood Pressure is so low. So
because of all this, he gets woozy and falls out on me. Of course he has
an answer to that too. Do you see where I am going with this people?? Does
being a MAN have anything to do with all this???

As for coming to the reunion .....? Well, he has told Scooter ( our
middle son) and me that he is not using a wheel chair. This presents a
problem. He wants to come in the worst way but he has to lose this pride thing.
After all, you guys understand. But don't mention any of this as he will
know I have talked to you about it. I am truly concerned about his safety. A
fall would do him in for sure. I have joked about his attitude and how
difficult he can be ( all true) but I do so worry about him. So hopefully we
will work this all out.

Please continue to pray for Bud. He is not a well man. I am still waiting
on the miracle!!! Again , thank you for all your support. It means so much
to Bud and to me and our family.

God Bless you all, Leen

May 10: Jeff Pole has released the Budget as approved at the Annual Meeting. There is an Income page and an Expense page.

April 29: Listed are the revised Clinic Schedules for the 2010 - 2011 seasons. The FHSAA has not released a new calendar for next season, yet, so the dates for deadlines and tests are based on last year. Changes may also have to be made for site locations and directors pending elections.

Dear Friends,
     Several of you have emailed asking the latest on Bud. So I decided to
send you an update which is about the same as the last one. Here goes:
Bud has had two chemo visits and they tell us it is too early to tell what
the chemo is doing. He will see the Dr. on the 10th of May and we will
know what is going on then. He is still having the fluid on the stomach but I
honestly don't think it is as much as it has been. Bud looks very good and
feels much better than in the past. He is weak but that is to be expected.
His taste buds seem to be returning and that is a blessing. Thank you all
for the prayers. Thank you for caring and sending emails and of course the
phone calls to Bud which he dearly loves. For any of you who don't call
because you just don't know what to say to Bud ( I understand that) but you
don't have to worry about that. Have you ever known Bud Holt to be without
words? You just call and he will put them on you. He reads all your emails
too. So however you want to stay in touch, it is fine. He just loves hearing
from you. Many of you are going through tough times and he prays for you
daily. This thing is a two way street you know. We all have to look out for
one another. So do share your good times and your bad times. We love you
all. You continue to be a blessing to us. May God bless you all.
                                                                     From the Heart,
                                                                     Leen and Bud

April 21: Members are advised to read Supplement AA for the FHSAA Board of Directors meeting.

April 19: The Association has received word that we have been approved to hold a State Field Clinic in Football. This will be August 20 and 21 and the The Villages High School.

April 13: The site of the Annual Business Meeting has been changed to the Marion County Emergency Operations Center. This will guarantee your comfort!

Dear Friends,
     An update on Bud!! This has been a busy week already and we are only two days into it. Yesterday, Bud had some fluid drained from his stomach and
today he sat through 4 1/2 hours of new chemo. He did not have a reaction to any of it and so far, so good. He continues to be a trooper. Takes it as
it comes and gives the nurses a hard time. Sounds like Bud wouldn't you say? All these episodes take place at the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute
in Orlando and it takes a big chunk out of our day no matter how early we start out on these ventures.

Today left Bud very tired and a little lightheaded. But when he got home and got some liquid in him and the tv turned to westerns, he took a long nap
and is feeling some better. So keep those prayers going for him and pray this chemo gets the cancer and stops the fluid in the stomach. Thank you for
standing by your buddy as you do. He appreciates it very much and I just am so thankful for you and your outreach to him. I read him all the emails
you send in reply. He loves to hear from you.

     Will keep you up to date on how this chemo is working.
                                                          Eileen

April 12: The Board has approved a change to the deadline for submittal of Constitution amendments and Policy changes to April 20. Please submit to mfoasecretary@yahoo.com

April 6: Dear Friends,
    Bud and I just returned from the Doctor visit and have the results we have been anxiously waiting for. I am going to begin with the not so good
and get it out of the way first. Bud has fluid building up in his stomach.   Some tests have come back with good results and so that rules out some of
the reason for the fluid. The doctors are thinking it is caused from the cancer on the liver. So therefore, they are going to use two different
types of chemo from what Bud has previously been on. He will be on this for the next 5 or 6 weeks to find if that is indeed the reason. Hopefully the
chemo will fight the cancer and the fluid will go away. That will be good news. That will mean the chemo is doing it's job.

     Now for the good reports. One test was an ultrasound on the portal vein in the stomach. It came back very good and all is well there. The second
was a brain scan. It came back very clear. No cancer at all anywhere.( And they found his brain !!) The third thing I did not mention in above
paragraph was the fluid in the stomach has no cancer cells in it. He is in no pain. He feels good except for being tired which is due to low blood count
but even that is better than it was. The Dr says he does not need a blood transfusion.The Dr had also taken him off the water pill. And that has taken
away the lightheaded, dizziness and falling episodes Bud was going through. So there you have the latest report and may I just say.....PRAISE THE
LORD!!!! God is good and continues to take care of Bud!!!

     Bud still has that fighting spirit and his sense of humor and we just take each day as it comes and make it as normal as we can. What is normal
for the Holt household may not be what is normal at your house but we do just fine. And the reason we are doing so good is because of friends like you
who love us and pray for us and keep in touch! And again, we thank you and thank God for you and your friendship. We pray for each of you. And we
thank you for continued prayers.
                                                           From the Heart,
                                                                Bud and Eileen

March 26: The FHSAA has announced Football Field Clinics for the month of May. The MFOA is working on hosting a State Field Clinic in August. We are aware that North Florida, in Jacksonville, is planning on hosting a clinic the same weekend as we are planning..

March 23: Subj: Latest News on Bud!!

Dear Friends,
Well, the news on Bud is not the greatest but it is not real bad either. Now let me explain if I can. The Dr. says he can't really understand
just what is happening in Bud. His tumor markers have come down a little and this is without chemo. The lesions on the liver have been shrinking. He
wants him to have a colonoscopy to make sure the colon is clean. And the fluid they drained from the stomach did not have cancer cells in it. So he is
giving him a break from chemo and is going to do a brain scan to make sure all is well there. He has taken him off water pills. So from here, we have a
few more tests taken and until the results come in, all I can say is what the Dr. says, He is no better but certainly no worse. The fight is still
on!!! Please continue those prayers for there is power in prayer. Your prayers are evident of that and we thank you for lifting Bud up. Your cards,
calls and visits are much appreciated. From the Heart, Eileen

MFOA elections will be held for the following positions: Vice President, Treasurer, (2) Football Directors, North and Central,(1) Basketball Director, Central and Baseball Director. If anyone is interested in volunteering to serve on the nomination committee, please contact Mario Coppock via email coppref1@yahoo.com or phone wk 386-754-7095, hm 386-755-5190. If possible, the committee will be comprised of 5 members selected from the list of volunteers representing each region. Once the committee is formed, nominations for any of the above offices will be accepted until ten days before the annual business meeting on May 8th. Or, they may be submitted from the floor and by "write in" vote. I am encouraging each member to actively participate and become involved in this very important process.

Mario A. Coppock, Basketball Director, North Region Board Appointed Committee Chairman

March 15: Dear Friends,
   I was hoping this would be a good news letter, but good news is not
what we received on Monday. Scans show much cancer still present in Bud's
body, especially the liver. The Dr. says we have to change the chemo as it is
not attacking the tumors as it should now. There was also fluid in Bud's
stomach and that was drained yesterday which gave him much relief from
discomfort he was feeling. Bud continues to be a fighter. Did you expect
anything less? I thank God for giving him that fighting spirit.
     We will have more answers next Monday as he goes back to the Dr. I
will keep you posted. You ask what you can do for Bud? Pray for him. I am
still waiting on "The Miracle" as I know God can do. I also ask for prayers for
my boys as they go through this with me. God has given us all a strength
we never knew we had. We thank you for your prayers, visits, cards and
calls. You lift Bud's spirits with each one he receives. We also thank you for
your friendship. We are blessed to have you in our life.

                            From the Heart,

                                              Eileen

March 8: Dear Friends,
   I am writing this without Bud's knowledge.   He would not want you to know, but then he didn't want anyone to know about his cancer in the
beginning and is now glad now that I let you know. Bud is going through a tough time right now. His blood count is low and he is having some
lightheaded moments. Some times these moments cause him to fall. Many times he doesn't even know he is falling. Bud is very proud, as you well know, and he
does not like for us to treat him, as he calls it, like an invalid. But we must do what we have to do and if that means getting his arm and steadying him,
we do it.   He has asked us not to hold on to him but after a second fall in a public place, I think he has gotten the message. Scooter finally told him, " Dad, you can fuss all you want, but I will take hold of you and if it is within my power, I will prevent you from falling and breaking something!"   So now the table is turned and he is listening to Scooter instead of telling Scooter to listen!! That's a change huh?? Bud is feeling well and has no pain. He has lost weight and lost some of his taste buds. This is a result of the chemo.. We can't get him to eat anything he can't taste. So that limits him to soups, salads, hot chocolate and candy. I cannot
imagine what it would be like to eat something and not be able to taste it. And he refuses to do that. And so his menu sounds as though it is a weight loss diet. I try to fill him up with these foods and am always offering other foods only to have him say, ( without trying them) " Leen, I tell you many times over, I cannot taste it and I will not eat it!!" Lord knows, that man is hardheaded. You know that too!!!

All kidding aside, he is going tomorrow, Tuesday, for a pet scan and a cat scan. The Dr. says he looks good on paper, but it is now time to see what is going on inside. He sees the Dr on the following Monday for regular check up and chemo. After that appointment, I will be able to give you a report. We thank you for your prayers and friendship. Your calls mean so much to him and he loves to hear from you. When you call, let him tell you about his falls and blood count. That keeps me out of trouble and you in the loop as to what is going on with him. By the way, his old competitive spirit is very much there. He is a fighter !!!
I will be in touch with you.

Eileen

February 28: Just an update on Bud from Eileen Holt.. He is doing well. The doc took him off the hard chemo for a little while. He says it is beating Bud up pretty bad and he needs a vacation from it. He is still taking chemo but a milder form. He is to have a Pet Scan and I think a cat scan. He will have them on the 9th of March. It will show what is going on inside. The doc says he looks great on paper but it is time to take a look inside. So please be in prayer that all is good. He says he feels good.

February 27: Congratulations to the girls of The Rock and P. K. Yonge on attaining their state championships. Also a salute to Vanguard and Lafayette on achieving the trip to Lakeland.

February 25: The FHSAA has announced the 2010 class of its Hall of Fame. The officials included are Clem Brooks and Joe Rider. Wayne Hunter and I know Clem from our time with the West Coast Officials Association in Hillsborough County. Wes Hargis worked with Clem while both were with the Greater Miami Athletic Conference.Joe Rider was active in the Southern Independent Football OA when they were servicing schools like Miami and FSU before they joined the ACC.

February 24: We will be sending a crew to Lakeland for the 4A Semi-Final of Jefferson HS, Tampa vs. Pensacola HS. Friday at 11:30. Congratulations to Yvette Jones, Toia Coffee, and Billy McCall.

There will be a preplanning meeting to host both a 2010 FHSAA Football and Basketball State Field Clinic at 6:30 pm on Monday, January 25, 2010 at North Marion High School. Any MFOA member interested in being on either the football or basketball (or both) organizing committees should attempt to attend the meeting that night. We need 10-12 committee members per sport to be able to plan and run a good state clinic. I have heard from a few members who are willing to help and have good ideas but I still need more help.

Please contact Ted Bedford via email - tjbedford@email.com if you are interested and can attend. I understand that there are a few basketball games that evening and if you want to be on a planning committee but can't attend on 1/25/10, let me know any area of planning listed below that you may be able to help out with. I am also planning to have a follow-up meeting about 2 weeks later (2/8/10?). As we get closer to the planned clinic dates we will meet more often (weekly?) to iron out details.

Site Coordinator - Arrange location / fields/ gyms; large meeting room / classrooms (audio-video / computer access)

January 11: We should also congratulate Ronny Pruitt of Hawthorne for being named Coach of the Year in his Classification. Coach Pruitt has now moved on to Union County, announced Feb. 23.

January 4: The FHSAA has released the Academic Team Champion Awards for Fall sports. The Forest High School football team received the top honor for 6A Football teams. Congratulations to the team, coaches and teachers.

January 1: The relative rating for basketball is now posted. Reminder that there is a basketball meeting in Ocala on Sunday January 3. This for setting the play-off crews.

October 21: The FHSAA has sent out to broadcast emails. First for all sports, The AT6 form for unsportsmanlike conduct and ejections is now available as an online form allowing you to fill it out and submit it online. No more filling out by hand and faxing. For football, the Spalding J5V is the ball that must be used starting with the tie breakers and for every play-off game after that. At least that is how interpret the message. Last year we had a debate as to which week was the ball was mandatory. This email seems to leave no doubt. The penalty is an unsportsmanlike conduct foul against the coach.