1. Interested in becoming an Official?
The slides and information in the following presentation will help answer some of the commonly asked questions about becoming a KSHSAA official.
We are glad that you have decided to gain additional information about becoming a registered official with the KSHSAA. Hopefully the information included will help you reach the conclusion to register with the KSHSAA.

2. Why Register
KSHSAA member schools must use registered officials in all Varsity contests.
It is highly recommended that schools use registered officials for all contests.
So, why register with the KSHSAA as an official. Member schools must use registered officials in all Varsity contests. It is highly recommended that schools use registered officials for all contests. Many youth organizations also request their officials also register with the KSHSAA.

3. Why Be a KSHSAA Official?
Give back to the game
Stay active in a sport you love
Earn a little spending money
Keep in shape
Work with kids
Learn
Have FUN
Make a difference
Why do people choose to register as an official. Many have played the sport before and want to give back to the game or stay active in a sport they enjoy. Some register to earn a little extra spending cash while others just want to keep in shape, work with kids and make a difference in the lives of young people. Whatever the reason, more officials are always needed.

4. How do I register? Four ways to register On-line – www.kshsaa.org
Registration form/card can be sent to you and returned to the office.
At a rules meeting
At the KSHSAA office
There are four ways to register with the KSHSAA. You can go to our web-site under the officials tab – go to new official and read the information. You may pay with a credit card from this site. There is a $3.00 fee to pay on-line. You can also print off a registration card from the web-site.
You can call or the KSHSAA and ask a registration card be sent to you fill it out and return it with payment. You can register at the sport rule meetings or you can stop by the KSHSAA office and register. You must register prior to the last rules meeting.

5. Become a KSHSAA Official?
Contact the KSHSAA
Phone:
website:
Mail: P.O. Box # Topeka, KS
Drop in: SW Commerce Place Topeka, KS
Included in this slide is the contact information for the KSHSAA.

6. What does it cost?
Officials must register with the KSHSAA on an annual basis. Registration information is sent to officials previously registered each April.
The fee is $50.00 for the first sport and $25.00 for each additional sport.
Officials register with the KSHSAA each year. Registration information is mailed to previously registered officials each April. The fee for the first sport is $50.00 and $25.00 for each additional sport. In order to get the reduced rate you must register for all sports at once.

7. What Does Registration Include?
All NFHS rule books
Membership to the NFOA
National Federation Officials Association
NFOA Insurance
NFOA Official’s Quarterly
KSHSAA on-line information
All KSHSAA membership mailing
test, sports manuals, directories
KSHSAA registered officials receive a number of benefits as a result of registering. About a month prior to the beginning of each sports season officials receive a packet with all the NFHS rule books, NFHS test, sport manuals and membership and official directories. You also automatically become a member of the National Federation Officials Association. You also will receive NFOA Insurance and Official’s Quarterly magazine. A great deal of information is included on the KSHSAA officials page after you log in.

8. What sports can I register in?
The KSHSAA registers officials for 9 of the 14 sports for which it sponsors. Individuals may register in as many of these sports as they desire.
football - volleyball
soccer - gymnastics
basketball - wrestling
baseball - softball
Track & field starters
The KSHSAA registers officials in football, volleyball, soccer, gymnastics, basketball, wrestling, baseball, softball and track & field starters.

9. I’m registered – Now what?
Get the proper equipment
Local sporting good stores
Get Official – getofficial.com
Smitty - Smittyofficialapparel.com
Honig’s – honigs.com
Some companies have starter packages for beginning officials.
Veteran officials may have equipment they would give you.
Different sports require different equipment.
One of the first things you will need to do is get the proper equipment. There are a variety of sources and some companies in order to help new officials have packages that will provide all the equipment you will need to get started. In some cases veteran officials may have equipment they will give you. Depending on what sport you register in you will need different equipment. Some sports have more initial costs than others.

10. I’m registered…Now What?
Getting experiences…
Read and study your rule book
Maintain physical and mental conditioning
Attend area supervisor meetings
Watch other veteran officials work
Look and dress sharp
Honor ALL contracts
Return phone calls and correspondence
Report all incidents to KSHSAA
In order to improve officials need to study the rules, get in shape both physically and mentally, attend area supervisor meetings, watch others work, look the part, honor all contracts and respond to s and phone calls in a timely manner. If you should have an unusual situation, make sure you report it to the KSHSAA and your assigner.

11. Get training Study the rulebooks – know the rules.
Attend Officials Clinics
Join your Local Official Association and attend their clinics.
Get a mentor who will work with you.
Watch other officials work.
Next you will want to get training. Study the rulebooks, casebooks and officials manuals. Attend officials clinics offered by the KSHSAA or by Local Officials Associations. If possible find a mentor who will work with you and go to games and watch quality veteran officials work.

12. Get Experience Work Sub-Varsity games Junior High Freshman C-team
Sophomore
Junior Varsity
Be patient – work your way up, establish credibility with others.
Now it is time to begin getting experience. Try working sub-level games, Junior High, 9th grade, C-team and Junior Varsity games. Be patient – establish your ability and credibility with others – work your way up. Don’t get frustrated, be willing work with a variety of people and places. Fulfill all of your contracts – don’t break your word.

13. How do I get games? Contact at a Local Level School Athletic Director
School Principal
League Commissioners
Working Official
Local Officials Associations
Area Supervisor
You have a responsibility to make sure people know you have registered in order to get games. Contact local school athletic directors, principals, league commissioners, other working officials, Local Officials Associations and area supervisors. Let them know you have registered and your experience. You need to sell yourself and let others know of your ability. Don’t expect people to just know! Information can be located in the on-line membership directory where you will find addresses of AD’s, Principals and League Commissioners.
Some league commissioners work for several leagues or have others who help them assign. Find out who these people are and contact them.

14. What is Required?
Attend one (1) KSHSAA rules interpreters meeting for each sport you are registering for. Meetings are conducted prior to each sports season.
Complete and submit to the KSHSAA an online open book examination for each sport you are registering for.
Requirements to stay in good standing included attending a KSHSAA rule meeting. These meetings are conducted face-to-face and also registered officials can log-on using their official number and password and complete the meeting on-line. Dates for the rule meetings are available on-line and once you are registered you will receive information about the on-line meeting option. You also must complete and submit answers to NFHS Test I prior to the deadline in each sport.

15. Contracts If you sign a contract – honor it.
Officials are not employees of the KSHSAA – they are independent contractors.
Respond to s and calls from school administrators and commissioners.
Contact schools a week before you are scheduled to work.
Once you secure a game – honor the contract. Don’t back out of one game because “you got a better one or one with better pay”. Officials are independent contractors. It is important you respond to calls and from school administrators and commissioners in a timely manner. Finally make sure you contact the school a few days before you are scheduled to work – to confirm you will be there, the time of your arrival, where you should park and enter and any other information you may need.

16. Game Fees? Member schools set officials fees based on;
Level of competition
Distance to and from a contest
Number of games officiated each night
Number of officials needed per contest
Game compensation is based on a variety of factors including the level of competition, the distance to and from a contest, the number of games you work and the number of officials needed. You won’t get rich officiating – there are more important intrinsic rewards that come from officiating including providing an opportunity for students to gain some valuable life lessons. Money should not be the primary reason you decide to become an official. Depending on the school district some will be able to pay you the night of the contest, some will have you fill out paperwork and a check will be mailed when payroll is completed. Make sure you find out from the Athletic Director how and when you will be paid.

17. Is There an Age Requirement?
Registered KSHSAA officials range from high school students to officials 50+ years of officiating service. The KSHSAA encourages all interested individuals (male and female) to register and get involved.
There is no age limit to be an official. Some officials begin registering in High School and begin working Junior High games and work through college and beyond. The KSHSAA has officials who have been officiating for over 50 years.

18. What Else is Required? An enjoyment of school activities
Playing experience not required
An understanding of the game
An ability to learn, interpret and apply the rules of the game
A desire to teach the values sport participation offers.
What other qualities are needed? While playing experience is not required, at times it is helpful in understanding the game. Many officials have not played, but spend much time studying in order to become a good official. Officials must enjoy school activities, be willing to learn, and enjoy being around kids.

19. Why Be a KSHSAA Official?
Give back to the game
Stay active in a sport you love
Earn a little spending money
Keep in shape
Work with kids
Learn
Have FUN
Make a difference
So – why be an official – because it gives you an opportunity to give back to the game and stay active in a sport you probably really enjoy. Because there were officials you were able to participate in athletic programs – now is the time for you to give back. We will always need more officials. Some areas of the state are very short in officials in certain sports, be persistent and let people know you are interested in making a difference in the lives of young people. Hard working officials are noticed and get opportunities to move up.

20. Why Be a KSHSAA Official?
The next generation of players
NEEDS
YOU
To keep playing
We hope this has been a helpful resource to you in understanding the registration process and what is required should you decide to become a KSHSAA registered official.