Dedicated to the Spirit of the Game
Stockton and San Mateo
Spring 2012 Clinic
March 17 & March 18
Gus Lopez
National Director
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AND
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DURING
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PRESENTATION ARE THE SOLE OPINION AND THOUGHTS OF THE PRESENTER AND ARE TO
BE USED AS A GENERAL GUIDE FOR LEGAL DRAFTING AND SHOULD BE MODIFIED TO
MEET ALL THE APPLICABLE LAWS AND REGULATIONS IN YOUR CITY, STATE, AND
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PRESENTATION AT YOUR OWN RISK.
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Football Officials of America was founded on
creating a non-traditional path for officials.
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Giving Opportunity for more Snaps
Developing a sense of pride in doing Minor League Football
Create an improved professional approach to this level of Football
Create a Standard of Conduct & Judgment
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Not all officials get a chance to make it to the
NFL .
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National Association of Sports Officials
 In 2007 , 427 Football Officials Associations approx.
43,000 Officials
 In 2007 ,100 College Conferences representing approx.
9,000 Officials (1:5)
 The NFL has 126 Officials (1:80) (1:350)
126
A Very Steep Climb
43,000
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Mission Statement
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Objective:
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To provide an effective network of officials providing services in a
professional manor to teams across the Continental U.S. by 2015.
Goal:
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To become a profitable premier officiating organization dedicated to
furthering and supporting the spirit of the game of football.
Increase the number of officials within the FOA by 30% each year for
the next 5 years.
Strategy
Establish a strong Brand and Image
 Contact Leagues and Independent teams throughout the West and
beyond
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National Directorship
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Supervisor of Officials
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National Director
Advisory Panel ( 3 - NFL, 3 – NFL Scouts, 2 - Division 1, 2 – Division 2)
Supervisor and Area Assignors
Officials Duties
Arrive 1 hour prior to game time
 Take control of field 30 minutes prior to KO
 File Collective Foul Report
 Average game 2hr. 43 minutes; 21 penalties for 160 yards
 Five, Six and Seven man Mechanics
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Arbiter for Assigning
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List of Crew 72 hrs. before the game
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To provide professional service:
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Treat our clients with dignity and respect
Emphasis Communications
Being prepared
Adhere to T & C (time and circumstance)
Adhere to a Code of Conduct & Ethics
Clinic with Coaches and Crew Chiefs
Expectations
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Coaches and players act civil
Follow the Coaching Code of Conduct
Players operate under a Code of Conduct
NFL Rules cover behavior and uniforms
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Generally, all officials are welcome to apply:
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Need to be part of a Certified Association
 High School or College
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Membership
 By Recommendation
 Sign a Code of Conduct
 Officiate Under a Code of Ethics
 Operate under a set of By-Laws
 Must attend two Officiating FOA clinics
 Second Season and beyond by Invitation Only
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The FOA officials are schooled and prepared to handle
NCAA and NFL rules as well as modified versions of
both.
Many of our officials have a minimum of 10 years
experience.
All rule application and interpretation are based upon
Time and Circumstance with SAFETY IN MIND.
(Your players go to work on Monday)
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Managing GDFL Officials Association
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Rules and Mechanics
Certification Test
 Goal to Test 1,000 officials
(Use of non certified FOA Officials results in Forfeiture)
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Clinics across the country(2013)
Certificate
ID Card
CA
Photo
#
Football Leagues
Official Groups
Bowl Locations
FOA officials in 28 States
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Area Coordinators
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 Kirk Mason
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Sacramento
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Bruce Hermansen
David Fink
Phil Beltran
Bert Michalczyk
Larry Mastin
John Kennedy
Mike Merritt
Mike Williams
Doug Martin
Mark Aldrich
Shirley Kimball
 Bruce Hermansen
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South Bay
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 David Fink
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 Phil Beltran
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Others will be considered
East Bay
Solano
 Larry Mastin
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2012 Crew Chiefs
Coast Area
 Bert Michalczyk
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North Bay
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 Dale Russell
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North Central Valley
 John Kennedy
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South Central Valley
 Mike Merritt
Receiving the most votes from the Area Coordinators and
input from the members of the organization.
For his consistency, game control, knowledge and leadership
on the field, the Football Officials of America is proud to
recognize:
Salvador Gurule
As its official of the year.
Supporting the Spirit of the Game
Football Officials of America
1716 Quesada Way
Burlingame CA 94010
spassignor@comast.com
www.thefoaonline.com
(650) 270-3875
Logoed Shirt design to help with the branding and image
promotion of the UFAL.
http://njfrogman.blogspot.com/2010/12/ufal-minor-league-football-player.html
An example when officials aren’t in the game.
Next week this hit might not be OK, that’s when
players and Coaches get upset.
Two major penalties and none where called
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Finally the FOA provides consistent and competent
officiating:
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To preserve the Spirit of the Game
To assure safety of players
To provide consistency to allow for better play
To build better men
To better personal officiating skills
To establish an alternative developmental path