Issue 11, November 1, 2000
Welcome to the MACBOA Newsletter

The MACBOA Newsletter is a periodic (twice a month during October through March and monthly there after) publication of the Mid-Atlantic College Basketball Officials Association (MACBOA). MACBOA provides basketball officiating services to several colleges and universities in the Maryland - Washington, DC area. The Association has a membership of approximately 200 men and women officials. Our membership consist of men and women who work Divisions I, II and III basketball. We pride our Association on providing quality and professional service.

The usefulness and survival of this newsletter is going to depend on the participation of subscribers and professionals alike. Please help by submitting personal stories, experiences, and articles of general interest to the MACBOA community.

Online subscriptions to MACBOA Newsletter are free and currently there are over 200 subscribers to the MACBOA Newsletter throughout the country. The MACBOA Newsletter is made possible by the kind support of our sponsors. I thank our sponsors for making the newsletter possible. Please visit our web site at http://macboa.org. As always, please visit our sponsors and thank them for keeping MACBOA operational.

Donnee L. Gray, Supervisor of Officials
dgray@macboa.org

In this issue:

• Remarks from the Supervisor of Officials
• An interview with James T. Burch, CCA Men's Coordinator Chair – 3 Officials
• Official's Stumper Question: WIN a PRIZE
• Contributing Article (Montrose Physical Therapy)
• Contributing Article (Jeff Janosik)
• Contributing Writers/Volunteers Needed
• Member News

Donnee Gray, Supervisor of Officials' items:
Thanks to all those people who helped with scrimmages. I wish others felt inclined to call and offer assistance. Effective with the 2001-02 season, MACBOA contracts will stipulate that an official to work three scrimmages or receive no game assignments.

A Few Reminders:
Closed Dates: As I stated in the October 1 newsletter, for personal days that you cannot work, officials are asked to place an "X." For business/work days you may not work, officials are asked to place a "W" on the appropriate closed date. And to place the appropriate conference/league abbreviation on the closed date sheet as appropriate (Big East=BE, Colonial=CAA, CIAA, etc.). Some people have sent calendars with just an "X" symbol. Remember to take care of administrative matters

Everyone must check the Website twice a month (August through March) for updated information!!!

Thanks to all those officials who are supporting the "Tommie Scott Scholarship Fund", contributions are still welcome! It's TOTALLY a VOLUNTARY matter!!!

MACBOA Interview:

James T. Burch, CCA Men's Coordinator Chair, 3-Person Officiating and Coordinator of Officials for the Southern Conference (Men), The CIAA (men & Women), and the SAC-8 (Men & Women). MACBOA was fortunate to be able to spend time with Mr. James T. Burch during a recent clinic. The following are his candid remarks on officiating mechanics process, technology and his role as Coordinator of Officials.

MACBOA: How did you get started in officiating?
JB: I actually got started in officiating in 1945 as manager of the Fayetteville State University Basketball team. I called my first paid game in 1951. I was paid $3.00 for one game.

MACBOA: What is your function at the Collegiate Commissioners Association (CCA)?
JB: I am the Chair of the 3-Person Manual Committee. The CCA is made up of the 33 conferences, D-I, for the NCAA. The conference commissioners of those conferences make up the membership. This comes thru the D-I Coordinators Association, which reports to the CCA.

MACBOA: Can you briefly state the mission of your CCA committee and describe the process of creating a procedure for the mechanics manual?
JB: The mission is to, improve the effectiveness of officiating techniques and mechanics, to administer the national letter of intent program, the involvement in recruiting procedures, financial aid, eligibility, television and other facets of athletic administration. The goal is to have uniformity in mechanics. Any change in mechanics should be made with two things in mind: will the procedure benefit the game and can the officials execute the change.

MACBOA: What conferences do you assign?
JB: I assign officials for the Southern Conference (Men ), The CIAA (Men and Women), and the SAC-8 (Men and Women).

MACBOA: What is the most challenging aspect of being a Coordinator of Officials?
JB: I am privileged to have wonderful individuals in each of the conferences I assign. My office expects every official to give 1000% in every game assigned, to use the authorized signals and mechanics and enforce the spirit and intent of the rules and to assist partners in not blowing a rule. The most challenging aspect of the job is knowing which officials to assign in a game to satisfy the needs and personality of the game.

MACBOA: You promoted Precision Tune Timing from its inception and now it is being used in several major conferences. What other things do you foresee on the horizon for basketball officiating? How tough is it to be a coordinator of officials?
JB: Being a Coordinator of Officials, you have to be innovative in the use of technology. Any idea or procedure that will assist the official manage the game better should be reviewed. I enjoy assisting officials to reach their highest level of excellence. Being a Coordinator of Officials is not tough if you have the time and enjoy it.

MACBOA: Any last words for aspiring officials?
JB: Keep officiating in perspective. When the game is over, it was just a game and not life or death. As a collegiate official, don't commit to this avocation as your primary source of full-time employment. The sport of basketball has been around for a long time and will continue to grow for many years to come. Do it because you love it!

Stumper Question
Player A1 dunks a live ball or a dead ball and then hangs on the basket ring. As an official, what do you do?

Please send your answer to macboa1@aol.com. To be considered you must answer each scenario in its entirety and state the rule (Men or Women) or interpretation. Remember to take care of business on administrative matters! The first 2 individuals to correctly answer will receive a pair of NBA logo socks and will be named in the next newsletter.

Answer to Stumper Question in our last issue:
Again, several respondents at almost the same time---minutes apart! Winners from last issue's Stumper Question: After a made basket by Team A, B1 gets the ball and starts dribbling the ball from one sideline to the other while out of bounds, and as the thrower-in reaches the other sideline throws the ball in bounds to B2 before 5-seconds has elapsed. As an official, what would you do in this situation? Include the rule and reasoning behind your answer

The winners are: John Felker and Marilyn Washington. This is a legal play and we play on - I move to make sure that I cover the play with regard to the defense reaching across the plane and so I can clearly see a touch in bounds to start the clock. Rule 7.5.6 allows the team not credited with the ball to make the throw in "from any point outside the end line". Since there is no restriction on which point and since rules 4.60 and 9.5 do not apply (because they do not apply during a throw-in and the throw-in can be made from anywhere on the line (by moving), dribbling the ball is not prohibited.
Each will receive the newly developed Break-Away Lanyard developed by Fox-40.

Congrats to John Felker and Marilyn Washington. I want to applaud Marilyn Washington, who voice mailed her response to the Stumper Question due to e-mail problems. Now that is being resourceful!

Coaches Stumper Question:
The thrower-in A1 is on the baseline and throws the ball toward the division line. The ball is touched by A2 and then the ball immediately goes into the backcourt where A2 retrieves the ball and then starts a dribble. Is this a backcourt violation?
The first coach to answer this correctly will receive a men's or women's regulation sized basketball for his/her team.

The winner is Michael McLeese, Athletic Director of Head Men's Basketball Coach, University of the District of Columbia. There is no team possession on a throw-in and there is no backcourt violation because there was no team control established until after the ball was possessed in the backcourt after a tip from the frontcourt into the backcourt.

Congrats Coach McLeese! Coaches, get ready, the next Coaches Stumper will appear in the November 15th newsletter!

2000-2001 NCAA Men's and Women's Basketball Rules & Interpretations and CCA Mechanics Manuals
Attention: The rulebooks have been revised for the 2000-01 season. The "Interpretations" section is now incorporated after each rule. The "Definitions" section has expanded. And technical Fouls and Timeout sections have also been revised!
You may order your 2000-2001 NCAA Men's and Women's Basketball Rules & Interpretations from the NCAA at (888) 388-9748.
You may order your 2000-2001 CCA Mechanics Manuals at (214) 750-7522 x213.

Contributing Article: Mr. Rene Bates M.S., P.T., C.S.C.S., C.M.T.
Back Pain……….What do I do?

Does your back hurt when you wake up in the morning, when you sit to long or when you move a certain way? Has it hurt longer than two days? Have you altered how you do things so you don't irritate it? Is it affecting your lifestyle? What do you do?

Do not start exercising; stretching or self adjust your back. Truth is you need help. Seek out a physical therapist that has training specializing in orthopedics, specifically the back. Every back injury is different and needs specific treatment. For instance, back pain in the morning could mean faulty sleeping positions; pain when sitting to long could mean hyper-mobile joints and pain that has been there a couple days could be a sprain. All are different syndromes and should be treated differently. For example, one may just need education on sleeping positions, the other may need a lumbar support and stabilization exercises, and /or cold packs for inflammation and further evaluation of the hips may be warranted. There are sixteen different syndromes that cause back pain. Each should be treated differently.

Prevention of back injuries is so simple. Having an evaluation with recommendations and treatment can prolong the health of your back. Care for yourself and have a yearly back evaluation. Think prevention, but if you are already injured seek help ASAP in order to initiate corrective healing techniques. In officiating language and philosophy, practice preventive techniques, and get yourself checked out.

Rene Bates M.S., P.T., C.S.C.S., C.M.T.
Director of Physical Therapy
Montrose Physical Therapy
Website: www.MontrosePT.com
(301) 770-5884

Contributing Article by: Jeff Janosik
Contrasting Styles in Sports Officiating: Are You a Goose or Eagle?

Do you honk like a goose or shrill like an eagle when reporting a foul? Do you beat the air into submission as a goose or soar like an eagle between end zones? Are you as approachable as a goose or suspicious as an eagle on the diamond? Do you value your closest officiating partners as life-long friends or will you choose to dwell alone on the steepest, far-away cliffs upon retirement? Do you present yourself as a companion or an untouchable to less-experienced officials? Is a gaggle more appealing to you than a solo flight? Don't laugh! The answers to these intriguing questions may determine how you are perceived among coaches, players, fans, supervisors, and more importantly - your officiating peers.

Sports officials come from all corners of the country with mixed physical abilities and styles: short/tall, short-fused/thick-skinned, thin/not-so-thin, quick/methodical, aggressive/calm, and mechanical/innovative. No two are exactly alike. Officials' primary vocations vary, to name a few: teachers, entrepreneurs, doctors, and bank officers. Oh, they may share common similarities, but they, like any group of individuals are as diverse as can be. The common thread of course, is their zeal for the game – whatever game that may be.

As do players and coaches, sports officials have varying degrees of ability. Factors impacting their general approach to the game include physical ability, advancement goals, primary vocation, geographics, family situation, personality, and their innate "feel for the game." Given the wide array of peculiarities of sports officials, each can be placed into one of two avian categories: Goose or Eagle.

What, you ask? Goose or Eagle? How can a sports official possibly be associated with something from the bird species (Note: a Bat is a mammal!)? Easy! After studying the characteristics of these two diametric creatures, any open-minded person can clearly see how a sports official can be so classified.

The American Eagle, with all it's majesty, fortitude, independence, and elegance is easily the most revered bird of our time. After all, it is our national symbol. The Goose, however, is simply the Eagle's alter ego. It's long beak, annoying honk, clumsiness, awkward girth, head-bob, untidiness, and drunken appearance does not exactly have much sex appeal. Physically speaking, the Eagle is everything the Goose is not: powerful, fluid, effortless in flight, menacing, sleek, aerodynamic, and colorful. Wouldn't every bird want to be like the esteemed Eagle? If you're a young sports official and you happened to stumble upon this article, the choice seems clear: you'll strive to be like an Eagle, right? Well not so fast, bird-watcher! As usual, there's more than meets the eye, especially in this analogy. Let's review some general facts about the Eagle then look a little closer at the Goose, then make comparisons to the general approach and demeanor of sports officials. Which one will you resemble more: the free and high-flying Eagle or the I'm-just-glad-to-be-here Goose?

Eagle Factoids. Life Expectancy: up to 30 years (average is 15-20); Fidelity - once paired, eagles remain together until one dies, the survivor will not hesitate to accept a new mate;

Feathers - approximately 7,000; Eggs - Eagles lay from 1-3 eggs; Became the National emblem in 1782; Eyesight: An eagle's eye is almost as large as a human's, but it's sharpness is 4 times as greater, with perfect vision. It can probably identify a rabbit moving almost a mile away; Respiratory system - Eagles have external nares opening on both sides of the bill. They never reach speeds that would interfere with normal breathing; Population - About half of the world's 70,000 bald eagles live in Alaska. Combined with British Columbia's population of about 20,000, the northwest coast of North America is by far their greatest stronghold; Sexual maturity - Reached at around 4 or 5 years of age; Body length – 30-34 inches; Wingspan – 72-85 inches; Weight – 10-14 pounds; Migration - Fly during the day at speeds averaging 30 miles per hour. To help them soar, eagles use thermals, which are rising currents of warm air, and updrafts generated by terrain, such as valley edges or mountain slopes.

The Goose is the natural opposite of the Eagle. With the exception of wings and hatching eggs, they share few other pertinent similarities. Yet, much can be learned from the goose. Various lessons from geese have circulated through leadership circles for years. Five basic lessons from geese exist which can be tailored for use in motivational, leadership, and educational settings. The following identifies these five lessons from geese, their meaningful correlation to humans, and how they generally relate to sports officiating.

LESSON #1: As each Goose flaps its wings it creates an "UPLIFT" for the birds that follow. By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.

--- LESSON in Life: People who share a common direction and a sense of universal community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.

--- LESSON in Officiating: A contest will be better officiated if crew members employ teamwork for the entire game. Being consistent as an officiating team on both ends of the court during block/charge calls, hand-checks, and low-post play; talking to opponents and team captains; adhering to the same strike zone in both halves of the first inning through the last; supporting your partners by observing the correct free throw shooter; etc., are a few examples of how an official can provide better service to the game than trying to unilaterally control it as one.

LESSON #2: When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag resistance to flying alone. It quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the "lifting power" of the bird immediately in front of it.

--- LESSON in Life: If we have as much sense as a goose, we'll stay in formation with those headed where we want to go. We are willing to accept their help and give help to others.

--- LESSON in Officiating: Listening to criticism sometimes is not easy; accepting it can even be more difficult. How do you get to the next level? Maybe you need to attend a summer camp or two, lose weight, review the rule book and mechanics manual, and learn to be more approachable, or simply smile more often. If your goal is to reach the high school varsity or collegiate level, or merely working your city recreation league championship game, listening to and following the advice of your peers and veteran officials may get you there.

LESSON #3: When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies into the point position.

--- LESSON in Life: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. As the geese, humans are interdependent on each other's skills, capabilities and unique talents, gifts or resources.

--- LESSON in Officiating: All officials have to pay dues along the way. After all, somebody somewhere helped you in becoming a better official and directly or indirectly gave you an opportunity. Very few are offered golden nuggets on a silver platter. Whether as an association board member, observer at a summer camp, volunteer in a mentoring program, or rules committee member you can assist others in some capacity. All involved will certainly benefit, to include the game itself.

LESSON #4: The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

--- LESSON in Life: We need to make sure our honking is encouraging and the production becomes much greater. The power of one's words on another (to stand by one's heart or core values and encourage the heart and core of others) is the quality of honking.

--- LESSON in Officiating: Every move, word spoken or not spoken, and appearance of veteran officials is closely monitored. It goes with the territory. Projecting a positive image is vitally important for all to see. Offering sincere, direct, constructive input to a younger official pertaining to a recent performance or their potential has a lasting impact. Case in point: can you recall cherished advice received from a veteran official say, over five years ago? Ten years? Longer? If it was truly lasting, then it's likely you can name the location, year, and probably the day of the week! Your special words or deeds too, may make the same indelible mark on someone and greatly assist him in realizing his potential.

LESSON #5: When a goose gets sick, wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then they launch out with another formation or catch up with the flock.

--- LESSON in Life: If we have as much sense as geese we will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.

--- LESSON in Officiating: If you remain involved with officiating for an extended period of time one thing is for certain, you will have your share of bad times to go along with the good. Remember, this is an avocation for most. Numerous situations flare up at work, within the family, or on one's health - most of which are unannounced and beyond our control causing great stress. Officiating has it's own blend of stress factors: travel; inflexibility at work; handling belligerent fans or troublesome coaches/players; assignment building/quality; physical demands; etc. Providing solace to fellow officials by listening to their frustrations or dissecting a poor officiating performance eases the pain a bit. Besides, only someone from the officiating fraternity can best relate to another official.

This article certainly implies that sports officials who resemble the attributes and practice the habits of a goose are better overall and more widely accepted. That is not the intent of the author. There are positives in all of God's creations. Eagle-like officials are normally very proficient, and look good too. Frankly, coaches and players could care less if an official performs like an Eagle, Goose, or a Chihuahua; just get the plays called correctly! Fans though, probably would prefer Eagles gliding around the players, since pizzazz and entertainment are important to them. Officials however, know the deal: Goose-like officials are normally more admired, respected, and welcomed. As a sports official, whether you resemble a Goose or an Eagle – work hard. After all, you are the integrity of the game. Be thankful for what you have in life; strive to reach your full potential and when an opportunity presents itself, impart some wisdom on a gosling - and even an eaglet!

Brief Bio: Jeff Janosik has officiated basketball for 13 years and is currently working various college leagues; a former football and softball official; married with four children; is a 17-year active duty Army officer and helicopter pilot presently assigned at the Pentagon; and holds a Bachelor of Science degree (Economics) from California University of Pa ('83) and an MBA from Webster University (Saint Louis, '96).

Reward, challenge, appreciation, stimulation, writing, reading...rarely thanked or noticed.
These are some of the attributes of the well-hidden job of MACBOA Newsletter Volunteer.

Are you interested in working behind the scenes (screens?) to help get information to members? MACBOA is looking to grow our ranks by a couple of folks and thus, we're soliciting volunteers.

What do you do? Read postings. Write articles, membership news, coordinate interviews, cultivate sponsor relations, etc. Write e-mail back and forth amongst us to establish communication, and guidance to keep this list as valuable as possible for our membership. Although we're virtual, our presence is sensed, we hope...and appreciated, although rarely acclaimed.

We haven't a job description, nor do we know what knowledge, skills, and abilities are required, but some that will come in handy are:

• having the ability to write
• being thick skinned, not thick headed
  
• being able to express your opinions, while being open minded
  
• having at least a free hour or two a week
  
• caring for the list

Please respond directly by e-mail to: dgray@macboa.org

Member News
Let us keep our fellow officials in our prayers:
Dwayne Gladden's mother is very ill.
Fred German's mother is very ill.
Arthur Mitchell had eye surgery.

Congratulations to:
The newly hired officials.
Carl Bullard on his newborn.

Officials: Please notify macboa1@aol.com with any pre-season or holiday assignments you have been selected to officiate for other conferences (D-I, D-II, D-III, or other) and leagues for the 2000-01 season. Please state the Conference, dates, and assignment.

Congratulations to several MACBOA men and women officials who have been selected to be on staff of several Division I conferences for the 2000-2001 season. Keep up the great work and make MACBOA proud!

Please send in your personal stories, experiences or questions; other readers can reply to you via this newsletter or directly (provide your contact information). Contributions should be sent as e-mail; attachments to e-mail will not be accepted. Please take the time to reply if you can help someone.

To cancel your subscription to MACBOA Newsletter, reply to this e-mail with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the Subject Line.

MACBOA Newsletter Information

The MACBOA, INC provides the MACBOA newsletter. MACBOA is a nonprofit organization providing information about membership news. The MACBOA.ORG Newsletter's contents may be quoted and reused as long as attribution is included with the reprinting and/or posting. Neither MACBOA nor its guest contributors shall be liable or responsible to any person or entity for any loss or damage caused, or alleged to be have been caused, directly or indirectly by the information or ideas contained, suggested, or referenced in this newsletter. The MACBOA website may contain links to other Internet sites. Unless specifically stated as a MACBOA sponsor, such links are not endorsements of any products or services in such sites, and no information in such site has been endorsed or approved by MACBOA, Inc.

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