OFFICIALS FOR THE SPORT
*** For an informative history of rules of the sport, check out the Evolution of Track and Field Rules researched by Dr. Eric Zemper of Michigan, an IAAF Interational Technical Official. (used here with permission) ***
The high quality of track and field, cross country, and road events in the New England association at all levels (youth, scholastic, collegiate, and open) can be attributed to the officials who work the many meets to ensure fair and safe competition.
Joining the ranks of officials is not a difficult process. One becomes a certified official through their home association (New England for MA, NH, RI, VT). USA Track & Field certification runs for the Olympiad - between Olympic Games. The current 4 year certification period began in September 2008 and runs through 2012, but officials may join at any time. There is a fee covering the four years which includes the testing, and one copy of the USATF rule book.
Prospective officials take a written, open-book test which is in several parts. There is a general track and field module, and then there are tests covering the various event groups. Officials who renew must take a general recertification review for their certification level at the beginning of each Olympiad. "Association" is the first level of certification. After several years of practical experience at different types of meets and an additional test, an official may apply for National level ranking, and, ultimately, Master level ranking.
Officiating at higher levels of events requires the various higher levels of certification. There are many regional and National level competitions hosted in the New England association so there are many opportunities to have one of the best seats in the house for meets!
For National level events, selection is partially based on whether officials have worked at their local association meets including open, youth, and masters competitions, and whether officials have worked outside their immediate home area.
There are only small numbers of officials positions available at the prestigious USA Championships and Olympic Trials, and consideration requires a formal application and resume. However, there are also opportunities to work at major national events such as the USA Junior, Junior Olympic, and Masters Championships for those not picked for the Senior Nationals.
There is also certification for road race and race walk officials.
The application and rules review exam can be obtained online (see below), or from the New England Association Officials Certification chairman:
Laurie Boemker, lboemker@usatfne.org for Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and VermontWhile an official can be independent of a "club" or officials association, one will find that many assignments, particularly for high school and collegiate events, are made through one of the local officials groups in the New England association. Many officials in these groups are USATF certified. To become involved with one in your area, contact one of the following.
| Organization | Contact | E-mail/web address |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Track & Field Officials Association (primarily eastern Mass.) |
Michael Meagher | coachmeagher@yahoo.com web page: http://www.mtfoa.com |
| Central Mass. Track & Field Officials | Charles Butterfield | cbutter51@hotmail.com |
| Western Mass. Track & Field Officials | Michael Budd | darthbuddster@aol.com web page: http://www.wmtfoa.blogspot.com |
| Rhode Island Track & Field Officials Guild | Ron Boemker | ron_boemker@hotmail.com |
| Granite State Track & Field Officials Association | Bob Gidari | gidari@mcttelecom.com web page: http://www.nhtrackofficials.com |
| Dartmouth College Track Officials | Barry Harwick | Barry.Harwick@dartmouth.edu |
| Vermont Track & Field Officials Association | Pavel Dvorak | pdvorak@bsdvt.org web page: VT Officials |
| Beyond the USATF New England association | . | . |
| Connecticut USATF | Yvonne Grimes | grimeseven@aol.com |
| Maine USATF | Don Berry | chemman@fairpoint.net |
OFFICIATING MATERIALS
- Lap sheets
- Cross Country and Road Running forms
- Race Walk
- Time Machine
- Electronic measurement and recording
- Track Starter's Guide by Charles H. Dailey, Kelly D. Rankin (1990), 59 pages
Check the National web page for lots more information on officiating www.usatf.org/officials.
RULE BOOKS
The USATF Competition Rulebook is updated every two years; this is done after rules change reviews at the USATF National Convention. Thus, a new book is generally only needed every other year; for example, new rule books were available in 2009 and will have the next major updates in 2011. However, there are some changes annually to comply with international rules or after approval of tabled items. Those updates can be found at the USATF website.
The Rulebook is available online at http://usatf.org/about/rules/ or the book may be purchased from the National Office.
There are separate rule books for College and Scholastic competition. While most rules are the same, there are differences - some significant - in some events.
On a higher level, there is also an international (IAAF) rule book. That can be found on the web at iaaf.org.
OFFICIATING OPPORTUNITIES
Check USATF NE track and cross country pages to find association meets that may need officials. The USATF Officials web site has more opportunities out of the region.
OFFICIALS CERTIFICATION
Every four years, at the start of the new Olympiad, officials must be be recertified. The certification reviews for 2009-2012 have been completed and are posted on the USATFOfficials web site as well as right here on the New England web site. Most folks will only need to complete the review for their current level of certification.
New officials may take the rules review and become certified at any time; the certification runs from date of approval to the end of the Olympiad, just as with renewing officials.
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