MACBOA: Newsletter - Issue 67, January 16, 2007

Newsletter - Issue 67, January 16, 2007

In this Issue:

Remarks from the Supervisor of Officials: Donnee L. Gray
Steve Kordak Interview
Interview with the Mike Baker, Men’s Head Basketball Coach, Allegany College of Maryland
QUIZ TIME! Let’s Get into the Rule Book! Quiz/Test Number #3
MACBOA Basketball Rules Quiz #2 and Answers
Basketball Officials Association (BOA) Items from Lionel Butler, President
Submitting Articles for MACBOA Consideration
MACBOA Volunteers
Newsletter Contact/Information

The MACBOA Newsletter is a periodic newsletter 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.

[Photo of Donnee L. Gray.]

Donnee L. Gray

A special thank you to all of those officials and observers who worked member institution holiday tournaments. As we begin the second half of the season, remember it is our mission to provide the highest quality officiating services for member institutions by enhancing levels of communication and appraisal/evaluation systems. MACBOA strives to place the best on staff and encourages each official to take care of each game, take care of administrative matters, and be good partners. With that is mind, here are some areas to review and act on.

Mechanics: We are, and have always used, NCAA mechanics. If you wish to use high school mechanics or home made mechanics, do it someplace else. Mechanics include switches, violations, fouls, reporting to the table, and so forth.

Please remember three things when double-whistles occur: (1) remember whose primary area the play is in first; (2) find the other whistle (the person who is blowing the other whistle); and (3) a combination of numbers 1 and 2 should slow you down enough that you do not fall into two different scenarios.

When a foul is called and free throws are involved, it is with the utmost importance that you communicate with the lead official (1) the correct player who is shooting and (2) the correct number of shots. Do not assume that the lead official knows who the shooter is or the number of shots to be taken. Officials should not put the ball in play until all officials are ready to resume play. This includes resumption of play during throw-in situations, the substitution process and free throw situations.

Please have a copy of the MACBOA College and Travel Directory with you. Access the information at http://www.macboa.org/about/directory.html.

Assignments: We have had a number of turn backs as a result of higher divisional assignments. As stated at the Clinic, please call the MACBOA (301-283-6807) or Willie Jones (202-543-7049). Assignments are being done via The Arbiter.net. Please be sure to check daily; game assignments will be posted for 48-hours only and then reassigned.

We have had incidents in games of which I have not been made aware. I am hearing from coaches and observers, but not officials. Technical fouls are to be called into me (301-775-4088). If I do not personally answer, please leave the information on my cell phone.

Player Head Bands: We seem to be inconsistent with logos on headbands, specifically the "NBA logo." In terms of logos on headbands, a player shall comply with Rules 3-6.I & 3-7.7. Both address manufacturer's or distributor's logos, etc. An NBA logo would be illegal by rule. The NBA is NOT a manufacturer or a distributor.

Pre-game, post-game, table personnel: It is mandatory that each crew conduct a pre-game and post-game conference with their crew, and the table personnel. Observers, please make sure this is being done.

Please review attached Plays from the NCAA.

Crew Chief Game Evaluations – Please submit online game reports through the Arbiter.net (“Evaluate Officials”) system in a timely manner.

Coaches: We need your assistance. If you are the home team, please have your table personnel at the game at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled game time. It is difficult when the table personnel arrive five minutes before a game, make mistakes, and then the officials are blamed for the errors.

Points of Emphasis. The following points of emphasis apply to both men and women. There is no place in the basketball game or the rulebook that allows for rough play. This includes post play, with and without the ball; screens; picks; off ball play; body bumping; and, hand-checking. Call it at the beginning and throughout the game so that at the end of the game the call is not surprising to the coaches and players. Those who allow rough play to go on throughout the game have no chance of receiving post-season assignments.

Please see the whole play through until the end before you blow your whistle. There are some good block shots and great steals in the junior college game.

Please referee your primary area remembering that you also have a secondary responsibility in a basketball game.

Taunting and baiting ... remember to TCB ("take care of business").
Flagrant, intentional and end-of-game fouls. Once again, please see the entire play through (let the play begin, develop, and end) prior to blowing your whistle. We do not want to over penalize a player because we did not see the play through. Please review end of game fouls such as intentional versus strategic fouls. A strategic foul could be made by a defender to stop the clock and this is not an intentional foul.

I hope everyone had a tremendous and safe holiday. We thank you for your part in making MACBOA a success.

Donnee L. Gray
Supervisor of Officials

[Photo of Steve Kordak.]

Steve Kordak

You relocated to another part of the country, what are you doing now professionally and are you still officiating? I relocated back to where I grew up…Los Angeles, CA. I stayed in the same line of work and currently work as an electronics industry sales rep. I have been able to continue officiating in Southern California.

Describe your officiating experience and any highlights? I feel very fortunate, because I had a seamless transition with officiating and have been to continue officiating at DIII, JC & Prep levels. Southern California such a large population and I am on staff on 2 DIII Conferences, 4 JC Conferences and 4 Prep units. In addition to working a solid collegiate schedule, I have been selected to officiate two consecutive CIF Southern Sections high school finals, as well as a couple of showcase prep events.

What is unique about MACBOA? I learned several valuable lessons during my six years on the MACBOA staff. On the positive end, it would be a variety of intangible things from the other members on the staff that would be the following:

Working hard to ensure that the level of officiating is above the level of play during a game
Being a good partner
Communicating with coaches, players and partners
Coming to an assignment prepared to work

Dealing with a variety of outside factors:

Weather: Being for LA, I never had a game cancelled or postponed because of snow
Travel: Driving two to three hours to a game was a new experience.
Traffic to the assignments: Being from LA, I was used to traffic, however, dealing with WDC Metro traffic was a whole other experience.

The professionalism of the MACBOA is another unique factor and the following are some of the items:

Writing game reports,
Using the Arbiter for assignment
MACBOA website as an information source
In season rule quizzes
Game Observers: Receiving constructive input from evaluators
Al Battista: His knowledge of the rules is very special.

Please share suggestions and recommendations to aspiring officials. Important to keep officiating in the proper perspective in your life and working hard to maintain a balance with work, personal life and officiating. Patience, it takes time to develop your own style and grow into your schedule. Work hard and show in interest in wanting to improve, because they are people willing to help you get better. Always be willing to get involved and help improve things and once you had established yourself in some capacity, remember to try to help others to continue the cycle of improvement.

Any closing thoughts? I find there to be a great deal of transparency in officiating in WDC Metro area and Southern California. My time as an active member on the MACBOA staff helped me improve as an official and I was exposed to many experiences that were both positive and areas of opportunity. I feel very fortunate to have an association with MACBOA, Donnee & Vedia Gray, Willie Jones, Ike Relacion and a host of other officials on staff.

[Photo of Mike Baker.]

Mike Baker

Why did you choose to go into coaching?
Basketball has opened many doors for me and given me opportunities that I may not have had without it. I believe that when something has been good to you, you need to give something back. Coaching at Allegany College of Maryland has given me that opportunity. I think athletes today need more guidance than at any other time. Athletics gives coaches a chance to teach more than just about the game. We are closer to our players than many of the parents and this gives us an opportunity to help shape them into responsible, productive individuals who can be successful after their basketball careers are over. We have seen so many players pushed through high school because they were athletes. At Allegany College of Maryland we make academics and going to class a requirement not an option. Being able to coach here gives me the chance to give our athletes the belief that they can be successful academically as well as athletically.

What have been your highlights in coaching?
I have had the good fortune to work with one of the best Junior College coaches in the country (Bob Kirk) for thirty-some years. We have been able to go home in the evening and set down and watch our former players on television. Many of our players come back and tell us what a positive impact our program has had on them. Although we live in a profession of wins and loses seeing our players walk at graduation and seeing them become successful in their professional lives means more than a twenty win season. I have met so many good people because of coaching that I never would have met if I were in some other profession.

Please describe Allegany College, its rich history, and what makes this an excellent institution for students?
Allegany College of Maryland is where you want your kids to be, athletes or not. The college is far enough away from the city that you don’t have some of those every day worries but is close enough to get to in a couple of hours. The setting, community, faculty and staff all lead to a positive learning experience. The primary goal of our basketball program is to recruit athletes with academic goals. We want our players to graduate at the end of their two years at Allegany so they may have the opportunity to go onto the next level. Over the past thirty-five years over 80 players have gone on to play at Division I colleges or universities.

Allegany College of Maryland is a lifelong learning community dedicated to excellence in education and responsive to the changing needs of the communities we serve. Our focus is the preparation of individuals in mind, body, and spirit for lives of fulfillment, leadership, and service in a diverse and global society. Allegany College is committed to engaging students in rich and challenging learning opportunities within a small college atmosphere that is known for its personal touch.

Allegany College of Maryland was founded in August of 1961 and sits on a 316-acre campus includes thirteen buildings, which provide modern facilities for over 3,000 full-time and part time students. Facilities and equipment are consistent with and designed to maintain the high academic standards of the College. In addition to the Library, Humanities, and Science buildings, there is a College Center which houses the student lounge, dining facilities, a 400-seat theatre, Admissions and Registration, Financial Aid, Institutional Research, and the Business Office. The campus also includes a Physical Education Building, which houses a large gymnasium and indoor swimming pool. The Technologies building houses instructional and laboratory facilities for several of the career technology programs in addition to the Computer Center and the Distance Learning and Media Center. The Continuing Education building houses classrooms and meeting rooms for conferences, workshops, and seminars. All of the College’s credit and non-credit health programs are centrally located in the Allied Health Building. The Automotive Technology building houses the Automotive Technology program. Behind the Automotive building are the services building, the welding lab building, and a storage facility. The Advancement/College Store houses information services, public relations, the advancement office, and bookstore.

Please share your experience with the Mid-Atlantic College Basketball Officials Association (MACBOA)?
MACBOA has helped our league gain credibility. During the pre-MACBOA era local officials were used and it was a given that coaches would worry if the outcome of the game would be due to the players or the officials. As coaches we want the right call made every time and of course we want it to go our way but we all know that’s not going to happen all of the time. MACBOA has many veteran officials that you feel good about as soon as you know they are on your game. You know you are going to get consistency and that is all we ask for. Sometimes when we get younger or less experienced officials we lose site of the fact that they maybe calling the game as well as they can at that point in their careers, but it may not be done as well as the veterans. We as coaches run into that with our own inexperienced players, their doing as well as they can at the time but not up to our expectations. With experience comes consistency.

Any closing comments?
Athletics are as important to the educational process as math and history. We teach athletes the importance of working as a member of a team, being responsible, time management, commitment, character, and loyalty. These are all traits that employers are looking for. We need to make sure that athletics stay embedded in our educational system.

QUIZ TIME! Let’s Get into the Rule Book! Quiz/Test Number #3

The following questions must be returned to Donnee L. Gray, MACBOA Supervisor of Officials postmarked or sent via email no later than January 28, 2007 to be in good standing and to be eligible for consideration of MACBOA assignments.

In answering the questions, answers must include supporting rulebook citation. Officials working men's or women's basketball may answer the questions according to the respective codes.

Cut-and-paste the quiz and e-mail your test with answers to dgray@macboa.org.

Faxed submission will not be accepted as meeting the requirement. Use E-mail or regular postal mail!

PRINT NAME: _________________________________________________

CHECK ONE: ______ Men's Official ______ Women's Official

MACBOA Basketball Rules Quiz #3 – Make the Call!

Teammates A1 and A-2 are arguing on their way to their bench after the TO is granted. A1 verbally abuses A2 and both grab each other and fall to the floor. Make a call. What do you call?
Thrower-in A1, after inbounding the ball, delayed entering the playing court. What is the call?
One official called a player control foul and another official called a blocking foul? What is the call?
Following a violation, the timer failed to stop the game clock. A1 inbounds the ball to A2, who was called for traveling. The mistake is now recognized. What do you call?
A1 is setting a screen on stationary B1. Make the call.
A1 received a pass from A2, left the playing court to attempt a try for goal and while airborne, fumbled the ball. After returning to the playing court, A1 can?
A1 attempted the second or 2 free throws and B2 touched the ball while it was on the ring and prevented it from entering the basket. Make the call.
A1 was fouled and awarded a 1-and-1. Prior to the free throws, B1 was charged with a direct technical foul, followed by a double technical foul. Make the call.

Yes-Rule 2, Section 5, Art. 1f; Rule 2, Section 6, Art. 1
Yes-Rule 3, Section 5, Art. 13; Rule 3, Section 5, Art. 15 & 16
No-Rule 2, Section 5, Art. 3
No-Rule 3, Section 4, Art. 3
No-Rule 5, Section 10, Art. 22
No-Rule 7, Section 2, Art. 2; Rule 9, Section 5, Art. 1b
No-Rule 4, Section 66, Art. 5a
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A-1’s pass is deflected out of bounds. The timer mistakenly fails to stop the game clock. The mistake is recognized while the ball is at the disposal of Team A. The official rules that the timing mistake may be corrected because it was recognized before the ball was touched inbounds or out-of-bounds by a player. Is the official correct?
A-1 reports and is beckoned onto the playing court. As A-1 enters the court, the referee notices that A-1’s undershirt, wrist band and head band are a different color than the dominant color of the game jersey. The referee directs A-1 back to the bench because he is not complying with the uniform code. Is the official correct?
A confrontation occurs while the players are on the floor for a loose ball. The officials control the action and then use the courtside monitor to determine if a fight occurred. After reviewing the play, it is determined no fight occurred, but they observed A-1 contacting B-1 with an elbow, which was not originally called. The referee assesses A-1 with an intentional personal foul. Is the referee correct?
A-1 is fouled and awarded two free throws. Prior to attempting the free throws, Team A is granted a timeout. During the timeout and before the warning horn, B-6 reports to the scorers’ table to enter the game. The official denies B-6 from entering the game because multiple free throws are to be attempted. Is the official correct?
A-1’s try for goal near the three-point line is successful. The official signals a three-point goal. As Team B is advancing the ball up the court, the coach from Team B is at the table requesting a conference with the official in order to rectify a correctable error. B-1 now tries for goal near the three-point line, and the official rules this a two-point try. Team B coach appeals both rulings. After reviewing the plays on the courtside monitor, it is determined that the coach is wrong on both appeals. The referee charges Team B with two timeouts. Is the official correct?
A-1’s throw-in is touched by B-1, who has one foot touching the boundary line. The official rules this a throw-in violation and awards Team B the ball at the spot of the original throw-in. Is the official correct?
A-1 catches the ball with one foot on the playing court, jumps off that foot, and lands on both feet simultaneously. A-1 picks up the right foot and places it back on the floor before releasing the ball on a try. The official rules this a legal play. Is the official correct?
Please name the Corporate Sponsor who was recently featured on a recent metropolitan Washington DC regional news broadcast for having the Best Sweet Potato pies?
Please name the Corporate Sponsor who manages the MACBOA webpage.
Please name the Corporate Sponsor who has sponsored a previous MACBOA Golf Extravaganza and provides financial planning services.

[Photo of Lionel Butler.]

Lionel Butler

On behalf of the BOA Board of Directors, I would like to thank all members who have sent in their membership dues for the upcoming year. If you have not sent in your dues, please feel free to contact me or any member of the BOA Board of Directors.

Your check or money order for $15 should be made out to: MACBOA-BOA and send to:

Mr. Chris Vail
9584 Tarvie Circle
Bristow, VA 20136

Please let us know of any MACBOA member news that we should send cards, flowers, etc. The BOA is there for our membership and we can only act if we know of events. Events include sick members and their family members, condolence notices, as well as communication about professional appointments and selections to conferences and leagues.

The BOA is here to service our members and we look forward to partnering with our members in programs and initiatives. We will be proactive in communicating to you throughout the season to promote activities during the season and beyond. Any members wanting to be a part of any special interest committees please contact any member of the BOA Board of Directors.

Again, the BOA will to improve its communication between members and WE need your participation.

Please use the BOA!

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.

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

[Drawing of flat screen monitor.] 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, 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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