Issue 76, November 1, 2008
MACBOA Newsletter

In this Issue:

• Remarks from the Supervisor of Officials: Donnee L. Gray
• Member Spotlight:  Jeysha Rhodes
• Member Spotlight:  Fil Zucchi
• MACBOA Test #2 (Deadline for Completion: November 11, 2008)
• 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.

Remarks from the Supervisor of Officials: Donnee L. Gray

STAFF: Please make sure that your contact information is entered into the system correctly. We require full addresses, with zip code, and CURRENT telephone numbers, including a cell phone number.  Please use the following format: XXX-XXX-XXXX.  Adding parenthesis symbols can alter the report when it is printed.  When you enter your telephone numbers, please be sure to put a check mark in the "PUBLIC" box which is the column after "Extension" where the numbers are to be entered. Not putting a check in the box prohibits other officials from having access to your numbers. Thank you.      

As we begin the 2008-09 season remember to take each assignment and WORK the game from the opening tap to the final buzzer.    

As discussed at our Preseason Clinic, responsibilities to the Game include:

• Doing the right thing
• Being on time:  In the locker room 1.5 hours before game time
• Have approved MACBOA uniform including lanyard
• Participate in the Pregame, half-time and post-game discussion
• Referee for the camera!

Responsibilities to the Crew include:

• Be a good partner
• Have rules knowledge
• Be consistent
• If possible, travel together
• Be careful of what you say; choose words wisely

Responsibilities to the MACBOA office include:

• Tell the TRUTH
• Be the “R”; Do the Work
• Call Donnee (301-775-4088) for an Technical’s or unique plays or events
• Follow  MACBOA standard operating procedures

Game Confirmation:  Crew Chiefs are expected to contact crewmembers 48-hours before the scheduled game to confirm game assignments and coordinate travel arrangements.  Remember that you are responsible for contacting your crew to ensure that everyone arrives at the game site safely and on time. If you do not receive a confirmation from a crewmember 24-hours prior to the start of the game, Crew Chiefs are to contact me at 301.775.4088 and/or the MACBOA office at 301.283.6807, Willie Jones at  202.288.6850 or Vedia Gray at 301.775.4089 immediately.  If a Crew Chief does not follow this procedure, a Crew Chief will be suspended for one (1) game.  A future occurrence will result in termination of your contract with MACBOA.

In the event that I make a change in an assignment, the newly assigned official(s) are required to contact the Crew Chief assigned and inform him/her that they have been assigned to that game.

MACBOA continually strives to maintain an up-to-date Staff Directory.  It is required that MACBOA staff has a current print out of the College Directory. You may access and print out the information at:

• MACBOA Member Schools - http://www.macboa.org/about/directory.html
• Travel Directory - http://www.macboa.org/about/school_directions.doc

 Travel to Games: As each of you know, with the major construction projects and security concerns in and around the metropolitan area (i.e. highways 70, 270, 395, 495, and 695) traffic congestion are extremely heavy. Please consistently plan travel time in accordance with mileage, weather, and TRAFFIC. None of these are considered valid excuses for missing or being late to an assignment.

How long have you been officiating at the NCAA level?
I am beginning my 2nd season in officiating at the NCAA level.

Why did you get involved in this avocation?
Originally, I was a volunteer coach for a 4th/5th grade girls’ basketball team at the Laurel Boys and Girls Club.  I enjoyed coaching but it was very challenging because many of the players did not know the fundamentals of the game.   I found myself yelling at the referees to make obvious calls that would help teach the players the rules of the game.  I was often told that they are “girls” and they were letting them play.  At this point, I realized that I could have a bigger impact on the players by being on the other side of the whistle.

What is your occupation?
I am the Insurance Coordinator for the University of Maryland, College Park.

What life goals do you have?
One of my life goals is to obtain my masters degree.  I am currently pursuing my Masters degree at Bowie State University.

What officiating goals do you have?
My overall officiating goal is to be the best official I can be at any level.
 
Why did you join MACBOA?
I joined MACBOA because I had something to prove to myself.   A few years back, I went to MACBOA’s Time Out Referee camp without any officiating experience.   All I had was a “pea whistle” that I had used in coaching!  Many people made fun of me because I was so “green” but Willie Jones told me not to worry because he was going to help me.  He loaned me a referee shirt and helped me throughout the weekend.  I did not know Willie Jones at the time but I really appreciated the support.  That experience showed me that there are people in MACBOA that are willing to help you achieve your goals.   Many of my fellow referees at the camp gave me Fox 40 whistles and encouraged me to continue.   I came back to the camp last year because I was ready.  I proved to myself that I could referee at a higher level and am grateful for the opportunity to be part of MACBOA family!

What advice would you give to individuals about officiating?
My advice is:

1. Know the Rules
   My confidence in officiating has come from studying the rule book.  I am still learning but at least I am confident in what I do know!
2. Find a Mentor
   My mentors, Kathy Awkard and Willie Jones, have helped me understand the world of officiating and I am truly grateful for their support.

Member Spotlight:  Fil Zucchi
 
I began working college ball in 1993.  I can remember the first game I worked as if it were yesterday.

The best game I have been involved in was in MACBOA.  It was Cecil at Allegany, with Judge Jackson and Dwight Rochester.  It was only my second year in MACBOA and I don’t think either coaches knew me from Adam.  Even though I had worked up and down the college levels for years, I was the “rookie” that night.  I knew it and the coaches knew it.  Game was a double OT thriller, in a gym loud enough you could not hear yourself think; we had some of the wildest plays I’ll ever see, and in the end the game went as smooth as baby’s butt.  There is no doubt that was the night I began gaining credibility in the league.

I got into refereeing because it offers the “best seats” on the court, and to stay involved in my favorite sport.

I run a hedge fund, which is basically a mutual fund on steroids.  Not the most stress-free of jobs, but I love it.  Much like reffing, you gotta pull the trigger without hesitation, and make sure you make the same mistake only once.

My life’s goal is to have my children grow up feeling like they are always a part of me (I know very sappy answer, but hey, that’s the way it is), and that their dad is a “cool” guy.

I was fortunate enough to achieve most of my officiating goals.  I worked all levels of NCAA ball.  I never made it to post season tournaments at the D I, II or III level, which is something I would have enjoyed, but more than a goal it would have been icing on the cake.  I’d lie if I said that I wouldn’t like to get back to D I, but I am also realistic that there are lots of young guns who deserve their chance.

I joined MACBOA because Willie Jones “recommended” I do; when someone who has babysat you on the court pretty much from the first day I put a whistle around my neck tells you to do something, you say “Yes thank you” and do it.  It was one of the best basketball choices I made.  Great structure, great guys and great ball.

The only piece of advice I’d give younger guys is not to rush toward your success.  There is no substitute for time when gaining experience and there is no substitute for experience to become a good official.  I worked my first D I game before I had ever worked a JuCo game.  There is no doubt in my mind that my career at the D I level would have gone a lot further if I had had a chance to gain more experience at lower levels. 

MACBOA Test #2 (Deadline for Completion: November 11, 2008)

Access the ONLINE test by clicking this link.

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 avocatio04n.

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.

Your Full Name:
Your Email Address:
Your Web Site Address: (if you have one)
Article Title:

Do you own the copyright to this article?
Yes No

Paste Entire Article Below:

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.

Return to Home Page Site Design and Maintenance by