NASO, MHSAA Postpone Officials Summit

February 1, 2021

Second Half

The National Association of Sports Officials (NASO), in conjunction with the MHSAA, has made the decision to postpone the in-person Sports Officiating Summit that was scheduled to be held in July in Grand Rapids.

As Summit sites for the annual conference have already been determined for the years 2022-25, the Summit will return to Grand Rapids in 2026.

Additionally, the in-person events surrounding the Officiate Michigan Day scheduled for July 31 and Aug. 1 have been cancelled for this year. However, the MHSAA remains committed to providing Michigan officials a quality virtual event July 31, including many of the same sessions scheduled for the live event.

Those who have registered for OMD 2021 will be provided a refund over the coming weeks. More details regarding the virtual OMD will be released soon.

“While this is certainly disappointing news, we are more committed than ever to provide MHSAA officials with an excellent virtual, cost-free alternative,” MHSAA Assistant Director Brent Rice said. “We are already in development of a program that will include great officiating content and presenters and allow MHSAA officials to interact with one another and celebrate high school officiating in Michigan.”

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Be the Referee: Behavior Warning

January 18, 2018

In this week's edition, assistant director Mark Uyl explains a new basketball rule expected to make a positive impact on inappropriate sideline behavior. 

Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.

Below is this week's segment – Behavior Warning - Listen

A new rule in basketball this year allows for an official to warn a coach or team for misconduct. This is an administrative procedure, which is reported to the scorer’s table, but has no immediate penalty.

Stopping play and letting the coach or bench know that a formal warning has been issued sends a clear message to everyone in the gym, and it should also impact behavior in a positive way without having to award a technical foul.

If the official, however, deems the misconduct to be major, a technical foul can be issued. A warning is not required before calling any technical foul.

Past editions
January 11: Ice Hockey Safe & Sound - Listen
January 4: Why No Shot Clock - Listen
December 21: Coaches Responsible for Equipment - Listen
December 14: Mentoring New Officials - Listen
December 7: Dive on the Floor - Listen
November 30: Wrestling Weight Monitoring - Listen
November 23: Ejections - Listen
November 16: Toughest Call - Listen
November 9: Hurdling - Listen
November 2: The Survey Says - Listen
October 26: Helmet Comes Off -
 Listen
October 19: Goal Line Rules - Listen
October 12: No 1st-Year Fee - Listen
October 5: Athletic Empty Nesters - Listen
September 28: Misunderstood Football Rules: Kicking - Listen
September 21: Preparation for Officials - Listen
September 14: Always Stay Registered - Listen
September 7: Other Football Rules Changes - Listen
August 31: Pop-Up Onside Kicks - Listen
August 24: Blindside Blocks - Listen