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: Toughest Call
November 16, 2017
In this week's edition, assistant director Mark Uyl explains why pass interference is the toughest call for our football officials to make.
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 – Toughest Call - Listen
At all levels of football, far and away the most difficult and controversial call to make is pass interference.
Pass interference can be challenging for officials because so much of it is based on judgment. Were the two players moving down the field making a legitimate play on the football; or did one of the two players initiate contact that created a disadvantaged situation for the opposing player?
Remember, when the ball is in the air, that both players – the offense and the defense – have an equal right to go for the football, making a legitimate play on it. But when that illegal contact occurs, that’s when the flag should come for pass interference.
Past editions
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