What is the Huskerland Wrestling Young Officials Program?

Our goal is threefold. First we want to create a sound and positive program for training young wrestling officials. Secondly, we want to create a larger pool of qualified officials to work high school events in the future; and finally, we want to bring an end to club directors that are using untrained individuals to officiate their local tournaments.

The practice of using untrained officials hurts our sports in many ways. Because of their lack of training and guidance, untrained officials will make substantially more bad calls that create an unnecessary conflict with competitors, coaches, and fans. They also are less likely to stop potentially dangerous situations that needlessly result in injuries. Because of this, many untrained officials have such a bad experience that they often never officiate again. In fact, some parents are so upset with their experiences resulting from poor officiating, that they pull their wrestler from the sport; vowing not to compete in an event unless registered officials are used.

Almost all clubs that have used sanctioned, registered officials don't go back to using untrained officials. The club directors feel the added expense of using registered officials is well worth costs vs. the problems using untrained officials creates. Using registered officials makes the event run much smoother and instills confidence in the competency of the event; encouraging competitors to return year after year.

Registered Officials will tell you the toughest tournaments they work are the youth tournaments. There are always too many people, too close to the edge of the mat. As well as many well-intended parents or club coaches that don't know the rules or how or when the rules are applied. Tournament directors are creating a potentially volatile situation throwing an untrained official into this environment.

This is what the Huskerland Board would like to see happen at all Huskerland Club meets:

Hire an experienced official that has experience working youth events as your head official. The head official will have the responsibility to line up additional registered officials or (crew) to work the event. We suggest hiring 3 officials for every two mats. This allows for sufficient work/rest ratios to keep the officiating crew at their best. We encourage the head official to hire 1/3 experienced officials (officials with more than 5 yrs. experience); 1/3 registered officials (more than 2 yrs. but less than 5 yrs experience); and 1/3 Huskerland young officials. The head official will make the mat assignments and will handle any officiating controversy that should arise. When the mat assignments are made, the head official will make sure that the Huskerland young official is paired with an experienced official in the 3man team. This way, the experienced official can mentor and critique the young official in their officiating performance and verify that the match and application of the rules are done correctly and professionally.

The recommended pay for the Experienced/Registered Official is $15/hr. and the Huskerland Young Official is $10/hr. Head Officials are usually given an extra $50 stipend for their added responsibilities. To those of you who think this is too high, remember many of these officials have travel time other expenses. Tournament directors can offset this expense by adding a nominal $2 onto their entry fee. We think that most parents, club coaches, and competitors will be happy to pay the increased fee knowing the event will be officiated by registered/trained officials. The Head Official becomes the tournament director's best friend under this plan. Tournament Directors are busy enough without getting between unhappy parents and untrained officials.

To help encourage clubs to use registered NSAA and/or Huskerland Young Officials, the $25 Tournament sanction fee will be waived for clubs committing to utilize this program.

The Huskerland Board feels that upgrading our officials is just as important as improving a wrestler's technique in the overall development of the sport.

Young Officials Requirements

Interested applicants need to mail $10 to Chuck Sherer, 3501 88th Street, Columbus, Nebraska 68601 to receive a current rule book and officiating test materials by February 1st, 2009. (Note! Young Officials from previous years must reapply & retest for consideration to work the 2009 season).

Applicants must be 16 yrs. of age by March 1, 2009; they must successfully pass the officials test with a minimum score of %70. This is an open book test and applicants are responsible their results, however, applicants are encouraged to seek advice from registered officials on questions they are not sure about! This is about making better officials, not memory retention.

Successful applicants will have their contact information placed the Huskerland website for interested tournament directors. They will also be mailed the results of their test, a Youth official card, and 1st time applicants will be mailed a Huskerland Youth Official patch.

Successful applicants are also encouraged to contact area club directors and express your interest in officiating their event. Contact information for member clubs and directors can be accessed at www.huskerland.org.

The uniform for Huskerland Young Officials will be a black & white striped officials shirt, black lanyard & whistle, red & green arm bands, red & green flip disk, black slacks and black shoes. Black shorts may be worn with the permission of the mentoring official.

Tournament Directors are be encouraged to hire Huskerland Young Officials at a recommended rate of $10/hr. Young Officials will be assigned a mentor by Chuck Sherer or if not previously arranged, the Tournament Director will make that assignment upon hiring.

The mentoring official is responsible for critique the Young Officials performance management of the match, application of the rules, confidence, positioning, and interaction with the coaches, competitors, and fans.

In order to be eligible to work the Huskerland State Tournament, Young Officials must work a minimum of three (3) club meets during the season.
Selection will be made from evaluations submitted by mentoring officials and comments from tournament directors. We are looking to hire 5 Young Officials to work the state tournament. Compensation for Young Officials that are selected to work the State Tourney is $200, lodging, and a meet t-shirt. A hospitality room is provided during the day, but breakfast and evening meals are on your own.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Chuck Sherer - 3501 88th Street, Columbus, Nebraska 68601    (402) 562-9148
 

Application Form  (Must be mailed by Feb. 5th):

Click HERE to download a printable Huskerland Young Officials Application