Issue 44, September 1, 2003
MACBOA Newsletter

In this Issue:

• Remarks from the Supervisor of Officials: Donnee L. Gray
• News You Can Use: Ike Relacion
• MACBOA 2nd Annual Golf Tournament
• New Corporate Sponsor: Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Inc.
• NCAA Men's Basketball Major Rules Changes for 2004
• NCAA Women's Basketball Major Rules Changes for 2004
• 2003-04 Regional Men's Basketball Officiating Clinics Dates and Sites
• 2003-04 Regional Women's Basketball Officiating Clinics Dates and Sites
• Member News & Information
• Order your MACBOA Logo Whistles
• Submitting Articles for MACBOA Consideration
• MACBOA Volunteers
• Newsletter Contact/Information

The MACBOA Newsletter is a periodic (twice a month during November through March and monthly July through October) 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.

The MACBOA Newsletter is made possible by the kind support of our sponsors.  We thank our sponsors for making the newsletter and other programs possible. Please visit our web site at http://www.macboa.org.  As always, please visit our sponsors and thank them for keeping MACBOA operational.

Remarks from the Supervisor of Officials: Donnee L. Gray

We hope you are having a fun and relaxing summer and getting some much deserved vacation time squeezed in somewhere! As we prepare for the coming 2003- 2004 season, we hope you are getting in physical shape, mentally sharp, hitting the rulebook and casebook, and ready for the upcoming 2003-2004 season!

Just some brief reminders:

2nd Annual MACBOA Golf Tournament, Saturday, September 20, 2003:
If you have not confirmed your participation with Chris Vail, please do so by calling 571-238-2381 or via e-mail recball@cox.net today. For confirmed guests: Please meet in front of Potomac Ridge Golf Course at 7:00am. We will set up teams at that time. The cost is $85/person, which includes cart fees, range, and goodie bag. The fee also includes lunch at Donnee Gray's home immediately following our golf extravaganza! Visit our current newsletter at www.macboa.org for directions to Potomac Ridge Golf Course and information on hotel accommodations.

MACBOA Fall Clinic:
Our mandatory MACBOA Rules/Interpretation Clinic will be held at Prince George's Community College Gymnasium on Sunday, September 21, 2003. The meeting will begin at 7:00a.m. SHARP! Officials who are unable to attend must notify me. Late arrivals and unauthorized early departures will be fined.

Contract Agreement:
Your completed and signed contract along with a passport sized head shot photograph (if not already on the MACBOA web site’s Staff Directory unless you want to change it.) Please clearly print your name on the back of the picture.

Proof of Liability Insurance (not health insurance, but basketball officiating liability insurance and application fee of $75.00 should be sent to the MACBOA office (Post Office Box 98, Bryans Road, MD 20616) no later than October 15, 2003. Please DO NOT FAX any of your paperwork to the MACBOA office.

MACBOA will no longer accept HS liability coverage. Please assure that your liability insurance coverage is updated. We have provided information to you regarding Commonwealth Sports Group. For additional information about the Commonwealth Sports Group, call toll-free (877) 915-7171 or Fax (757) 915-9215. Prior to working a MACBOA game assignment, we must receive your Physical Certification form from your medical physician and proof of liability insurance no later than October 15, 2003.

Scheduling Software Update:
Using Arbiter last season was a huge success and we are currently installing the newest ONLINE version. We will beta test the installation soon and will communicate with staff on the new scheduling system and how to close out dates. Officials are reminded that it is very important that you keep your personal data updated. I will need everyone's cooperation to ensure that we get of to another great start. Officials will have 48-hours to ACCEPT an assignment. If the assignment is not "ACCEPTED" within the 48-hour time frame, the game will be reassigned.

MACBOA Website:
Officials will be required to visit the www.macboa.org website at least 5 times monthly from September 21 through April 30 and once monthly there after.

Summer Camps:
I had the opportunity to visit several officiating camps and schools this summer and each were very educational and a tremendous success in their own right. A number of individuals have been identified for opportunities this season as well as for the future.

Other:
Each year, officials express concern about the number of assignments received. Decisions made are based upon an official's ability to manage a game, are highly effective communicators, and are good partners.

Regarding Corporate Sponsors:
One way that allows us to raise officials’ fees is through sponsorship. I have sought out businesses that each MACBOA member, from time to time, can use. We are happy to announce that we have added a few new sponsors this year. I encourage all MACBOA members to utilize our sponsors and products. If we do not patronize our sponsors, WE LOOSE MONEY.

News You Can Use: Ike Relacion

Several MACBOA members have asked about the external E-ZPass tag/monitor installed on my vehicle. E-Z Pass is a remarkable toll collection technology that makes traveling more convenient, helps you save money through discount plans offered by many toll facilities, and helps reduce traffic congestion for everyone.

Conventional toll collection methods require you to deposit coins, tickets, and tokens at toll plazas. This hurts highway capacity because the number of vehicles that can be processed at toll plazas is limited.

With E-ZPass’ electronic toll collection (ETC) technology, account information on an electronic tag installed in your car is read by a receiving antenna at the toll plaza. The toll is electronically deducted from your prepaid toll account. Not only does E-ZPass make toll collection more convenient for you, it helps achieve a number of benefits for everyone.

• E-ZPass saves you money through automatic discount programs on many E-ZPass facilities.
  
• E-ZPass can process 250 to 300 percent more vehicles per lane, thus reducing toll plaza delays.
  
• E-ZPass helps to reduce congestion and reduce auto emissions.
  
• E-ZPass helps reduce fuel consumption.

For answers to frequently asked questions about E-ZPass, surf www.ezpass.com.

The Regional Consortium is an organization comprising five transportation agencies representing Delaware, New Jersey and New York. The agencies of the Regional Consortium include the Delaware Department of Transportation, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, the New Jersey Highway Authority, the South Jersey Transportation Authority, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

The Regional Consortium offers E-ZPass Electronic Toll Collection technology on the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey bridges and tunnels, Delaware Turnpike (I-95), Delaware State Route 1 in New Jersey on the Atlantic City Expressway, the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway.

How to sign-up: You should open your account with an average of your monthly toll usage. A minimum prepaid balance of $25 is required, as well as a $10 deposit for each E-ZPass tag you order (waived for credit card customers). There are three payment options you can choose from when establishing your E-ZPass account. You can use your E-ZPass tag at any toll facility where is displayed. For information about a commercial account, please call 1-888-AUTO-TOLL (1-888-288-6865) to speak to an E-ZPass Customer Service Representative.

Once you receive your E-ZPass tag in the mail, carefully read the E-ZPass Customer Guide before you install your tag. After that, you’ll be on your way to convenient toll travel.

Idyllic Potomac Ridge is just 8 miles from the D.C. Beltway. One rarely encounters Washington D.C. and idyllic in such close proximity without reading some sort of legal disclaimer. Potomac Ridge is in excellent condition. Greens are true and fairways beautiful.

For MACBOA Confirmed Attendees: Please meet in front of Potomac Ridge Golf Course at 7:00am. We will set up teams at that time. The cost is $85/person, which includes cart fees, range, and goodie bag. The fee also includes lunch at Donnee Gray’s home immediately following our golf extravaganza!

If you have not confirmed your participation with Chris Vail, please do so by calling 571-238-2381or via e-mail recball@cox.net today.

Directions:

From route 95 (Capital Beltway)
Take I-95 to Exit 3 on Route 210 South, (Indian Head Highway). Proceed 8 miles and turn left onto Farmington Road. Proceed 1 mile and continue straight through a 4-way stop. Farmington road becomes Berry road. Continue on Berry Road until it ends at Accokeek Road (Route 373) where you will see signs to the golf course. Take a right on Accokeek Road then first left on Sharperville road. Golf course entrance is at the end of Sharperville Road.

From Annapolis and Points East
Take Route 301 South (Crain Highway) towards Richmond, continue on 301 to just North of Waldorf. Make right on Brandywine Road. Proceed .04 mile and veer left on Route 373 (Accokeek Road) continue through stoplight. Proceed 6 miles on Accokeek Road. Then make a left on Sharperville Road. Golf course entrance is at the end of Sharperville Road.

From Waldorf and Points South
Take, Route 301 North towards Baltimore. In Waldorf make a left turn on Acton Road. Continue on Acton road and it will become Gardner Road. Turn left on Accokeek Road. Take Accokeek for 1.5 miles and make a left on Sharperville Road. Golf course entrance is at the end of Sharperville Road.

For those interested in hotel accommodations, we have negotiated the following: Call Mr. Ed Farley, General Manager, Park Inn Hotel, 6363 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill, MD (301) 839-0001.

Mention that you are a MACBOA member and receive the $59.00 discounted rate. Call the Park Inn Hotel for directions from 95N. The hotel is located just minutes from Historic Old Town Alexandria Virginia and downtown Washington, DC. The hotel offers complimentary local phone calls, sprinklers and smoke detectors in all areas, wheelchair access to all areas, guide pets only allowed.

Thank you again for your assistance in these matters. I look forward to a successful 2003-2004 basketball season.

Donnee L. Gray
Supervisor of Officials

New Corporate Sponsor:

Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Inc.
The Nation’s Leading Retail Mortgage Lender

Stan L. Thompson, MBA HOME MORTGAGE CONSULTANT "Financing Your Home Right!" 860 Greenbrier Circle, Suit 208 Chesapeake, Virginia 23320 Office: 757-361-5002 Cell: 757-724-6919 Stanley.l.thompson@wellsfargo.com

• Loan originator for Conventional, Emerging Markets, FHA, VA and VHDA home mortgages
  
• VHDA certification for First-Time homebuyers
  
• Emerging Market Homebuyers Education Certification
  
• Norfolk Redevelopment Housing Authority ‘s Home Net Referral Lender
  
• Role of Lending Speaker at the Suffolk Homeownership Summit 2003
  
• Presenter at Chesapeake Redevelopment ;and Housing Authority at 2003 Empowerment Conference

Stan has over 20 years of experience in the financial community that comprises of accounting, banking, management and sales. He is committed to helping people realize the American Dream of home ownership. He also works to customize the home buying program to include any or all of the following features at no charge:

• Marketing support
  
• Homebuyer seminars
  
• Credit counseling services
  
• Affordable mortgage options

NCAA Men's Basketball Major Rules Changes for 2004

Rules changes are listed below in the order in which they will appear in the 2004 rules book. Rule references are from the 2003 rules book. An asterisk (*) designates where men's and women's games differ.

Rules 1-2, 1-6, 1-7, et al. -- Recommended that the international three-point line and free-throw/three second lane, including the international free-throw lane lines and neutral zone/block be adopted for the 2003-04 season, with the exception that the dotted semicircle that is on the international lane to govern jump balls would not be needed. The rationale is to spread the defense to reduce rough play.*

Rules 1-6 and 1-7 -- Free-throw lane lines and the three-point line may be any color because, with the new three-point line, they no longer intersect.

Rule 1-13.1 --The basket ring can be constructed of one or two orange metal rings. Previous language allowed only one metal ring and commonly used current equipment gives the appearance of two metal rings.

Rule 1-17.4 -- The red light behind the backboard that signifies the end of a period, which is required for Division I schools, must be visible through the marked rectangle on the backboard but that LED lights around the backboard are permissible to be used in lieu of these red lights. The rationale is that the location of the red light needs to be consistent for the officials' visibility, but the committee recognizes that the visibility of the LED lights is superior to that of the red light and therefore may be used instead of a red light.

Rules 1-17, 2-8 -- Recommended that a timing mechanism that enables an official to start and stop the game clock automatically on the official's whistle be recommended for all Division I arenas.*

Rule 2-5.1 -- At or near the end of any period, officials shall be permitted to consult a courtside television monitor, when such monitor is available, to assist in determining if the game clock or shot clock expired before the release of a shot. Previously, rules did not permit officials to consult a courtside television monitor under such circumstances at the end of the first period, nor did they permit consulting a monitor at any time to determine if a shot clock violation occurred. The rationale is to give officials more assistance in making the correct call in period-ending situations while continuing to limit the potential for interruption of game action by maintaining firm limits on television monitor consultation.

Rule 2-5.1.4 - When an official timer's mistake occurs, it must be corrected by the official during the first dead ball after the game clock has been properly started or before the second live ball while the game clock is running and the ball is dead. Previously, there was no such limit.

Rule 4-13.4.b -- Related rules shall be changed where necessary so that there is team control on a throw-in from out of bounds, but, unlike other team-control situations, the throw-in team can cause the ball to go into the back court (i.e., no violation) and the three-second lane violation count does not take effect until the throw-in ended. The rationale is to simplify the rules governing the throw-in and the team-control foul, which was created for the 2002-03 season.

Rule 10-5.6 -- Removed "accepting a foul that should be charged to a teammate" from the list of direct technical fouls for unsporting player conduct because it is left over from the era when players were required to raise their arm to indicate to the scorer who fouled and is no longer pertinent.

Rule 10-17.4 -- Recommended that in the rare instance when a student-athlete with eligibility for the next season gets into a second fight of the season in the last game of that season, that student-athlete shall be suspended from the next three regular-season games of the next season.

Appendix VII -- The commonly used swing of the leg used by officials to signal a kicking violation shall become an official signal.

Men's Points of Emphasis

In addition to continuing emphasis on reducing rough play ...
Proper calling of the intentional foul
Illegal blocks (in block/charge situations) around the basket
Decorum of bench personnel

Experimental Rules

In recognition of the adjustments that will be need to be made because of the trapezoid and new three-point line, there will be no experimental rules this season.

NCAA Women's Basketball Major Rules Changes for 2004

Rules changes are listed below in the order in which they will appear in the 2004 rules book. The rule and page references are from the 2003 rules book. An asterisk (*) designates where men's and women's rules differ.

Rule 1-2.2 (page 24)-The three-point line will be moved to 20'6 1/2", which is the same as the current International distance. The new distance is just over nine inches behind the line previously used.

Rule 1-6.2, 1-7.1 (page 26)-Free-throw lane lines and the three-point line no longer are required to be the same color because, with the new three-point line, they no longer intersect.

Rule 1-13.1 (page 29)-It will be specified under basketball equipment terminology that the orange basket rim may consist of one or two metal rings. Such equipment is commonly used, though not specifically permitted under previous rules.

Rule 1-17.4, 1-18.3 (page 31)-The red light behind the backboard that signifies the end of a period, which is required for Division I schools, must be visible through the marked rectangle on the backboard but that LED lights around the backboard are permissible to be used in lieu of these red lights. The rationale is that the location of the red light needs to be consistent for the officials' visibility, but the committee recognizes that the visibility of the LED lights is superior to that of the red light and therefore may be used instead of a red light.

Rule 2-5.1 (page 35)-Officials ability to be able to correct a timing mistake at any point of the game will be limited to occurring during the first dead ball after the game clock has been properly started. This limit is consistent with the rules governing correctable errors.

Rule 2-5.1.4 (page 35)- At or near the end of any period, officials will be permitted to consult a courtside television monitor, when such monitor is available, to assist in determining if the game clock or shot clock expired before the release of a shot. Previously, rules did not permit officials to consult a courtside television monitor under such circumstances at the end of the first period, nor did they permit consulting a monitor at any time to determine if a shot clock violation occurred. The rationale is to give officials more assistance in making the correct call in period-ending situations while continuing to limit the potential for interruption of game action by maintaining firm limits on television monitor consultation.

Rule 4-11.2 (page 60)-The distance that a player in control of the ball anywhere on the court while holding (not dribbling) the ball is closely guarded will be changed from six feet to three feet. Three feet is defensive pressure that merits a violation.*

Rule 4-13.4.b (page 60)-There will be team control on a throw-in from out of bounds, but unlike other team-control situations, the throw-in team can cause the ball to go into the back court (i.e., no violation) and the three-second lane violation count would not be in effect until the throw-in ended. The rationale is to simplify the rules governing the throw-in and the team-control foul, which was created for the 2002-03 season.

Rule 4-26.3, 4-26.7 (page 65, 66)-The term intentional technical foul will be deleted. In a situation where contact is made during a deadball, a direct technical foul can be called in lieu of the previously used term. Assuming the contact doesn't merit a flagrant foul, which an official could still call, a direct technical foul will result in two free throws and returning the ball to play at the point of interruption, instead of loss of possession.*

Rule 4-26.4, 4-26.5 (page 65)-There will again be a distinction between a flagrant personal foul and a flagrant technical foul. The committee changed the name to just flagrant and left off technical and personal last year. In order to eliminate confusion as to which player will shoot the free throws in each situation, the committee will revert back to naming them flagrant technical and flagrant personal. *

Rule 5-10.1.a (page 88)-Assistant coaches will no longer be able to call timeout while the ball is in play. This is the same as the current men's rule.

Rule 10-5.6 (page 126)-"Accepting a foul that should be charged to a teammate," will be removed from the list of direct technical fouls for unsporting player conduct because it is left over from the era when players were required to raise their arm to indicate to the scorer who fouled and is no longer pertinent.

Rule 10-17.4 (page 132)-In the rare instance when a player with eligibility for the next season gets into a second fight of the season in the last game of that season, that player shall be suspended from the next three regular-season games of the next season. A second fight occurring earlier in the same season will continue to result in suspension for all games remaining in that season.

Appendix VII (page 158)-The commonly used swing of the leg used by officials will be established as the official signal for a kick violation.

Sporting Behavior Statement-"The primary goal of the rules is to maximize the safety and enjoyment of the student-athlete. Sporting behavior is a key part of that goal. Sporting behavior should be a core value in behavior of players, bench personnel, crowd control by game management and the officials' proper enforcement of the rules governing related actions."

Points of Emphasis-Displacement, in terms of hand-checking, post play, screens, cutters and rebounding, will be emphasized during the upcoming season.

Experimental Rules-The committee will use the trapezoid lane as an experimental rule.

2003-04 Regional Men's Basketball Officiating Clinics Dates and Sites

In order to receive the room rates listed, each clinic attendee should inform hotel personnel that he or she will be attending the NCAA officiating clinic. All arrangements for sleeping rooms should be made through the reservation desk at the appropriate hotel before the designated reservation cut-off date.

* The hotel sales contact should be contacted directly only if coordinators or conference representatives wish to schedule meeting(s) prior to or af-ter the NCAA clinic. Please do not contact these individuals when making sleeping room reservations only.

** It is permissible for an individual to attend a clinic other than the one to which his or her conference or institution is assigned.

2003-04 Regional Women's Basketball Officiating Clinics Dates and Sites

In order to receive the room rates listed, each clinic attendee should inform hotel personnel that he or she will be attending the NCAA officiating clinic. All arrangements for sleeping rooms should be made through the reservation desk at the appropriate hotel before the designated reservation cut-off date.

* The hotel sales contact should be contacted directly only if coordinators or conference representatives wish to schedule meeting(s) prior to or af-ter the NCAA clinic. Please do not contact these individuals when making sleeping room reservations only.

** It is permissible for an individual to attend a clinic other than the one to which his or her conference or institution is assigned.

Condolences to Willie “L.A.” Jones on the passing of his beloved brother.

Get well wishes to Athena Argyropoulas.

Congratulations to Jessica Mays, our webmaster, on the birth of her daughter, Gwyneth.

Congratulations to all MACBOA staff who have received other opportunities at the D-I, D-II and D-III level. Continue to work smart and represent MACBOA strong.

Order your MACBOA Logo Whistles!

Be the first to receive your MACBOA logo Fox-40 Classic Whistle while supplies last!

Send your payment of $5.00 for each whistle ordered to Ike Relacion, c/o MACBOA Logo Whistle, 21112 Archstone Way, Unit 101, Germantown, MD 20876-6996.

Submitting Articles for MACBOA Consideration

Thank you for your interest in submitting an article for consideration on www.macboa.org.

We accept well-written features, how-to articles, "how I did it" success stories, tips and hints, motivational articles and other articles that will help our audience gain knowledge and succeed in their officiating avocation.

We do not accept articles that are primarily advertisements. However, you may place a biographical section at the end of your article. It should be no more than 30 to 40 words in length. It would be nice if you could include a 60x60 picture of you in .gif or .jpeg format.

Below are instructions for submitting your article to the MACBOA.org web site. We ask that you read the terms of your Agreement with MACBOA.org carefully.

Please note: We only accept submissions from the original author of the articles or a publicist hired by the copyright owner to submit material here. By submitting material, you acknowledge that you are legally entitled to distribute the work and to allow it to be redistributed. (If you are a book publisher or public relations firm with copy to distribute, please include a note to that effect at the top of the article you submit.) We do not pay for articles, and do not accept articles that are primarily advertisements. However, you may place a brief resource box and contact information (but no ads) at the end of your article.

To send your article, click on the "Article Submission Form" and answer the questions and then copy and paste your submission into the space provided. We have provided a copy of the form below. Please be sure your by-line appears below the title of the article. Click on the submit button to complete the process and or cut-and-paste the completed form and your article to macboa1@aol.com.

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 membership
  

Please respond directly by e-mail to: irelacion@aol.com

HOW TO CONTACT THE NEWSLETTER COORDINATOR

MACBOA welcomes and encourages news and information for the periodic newsletter. Please submit all materials to address letters of comment, article proposals and queries, or news items to:

Ike Relacion, (301) 371-8520
E-mail: irelacion@aol.com

MACBOA Newsletter Information

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.

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

MACBOA does not share its email lists. We value and respect your privacy.

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