To try to offset an ongoing crisis in athletics, the Oregon Athletic Officials Association and the Oregon School Activities Association are recruiting officials for the fall high school sports seasons. There is an immediate need for officials in football, volleyball and soccer.
If you’re interested, you can register at osaa.org/officials, and you can find the official association nearest you at newofficials.org.
Options here in Southern Oregon include:
— Rogue Valley Football Officials Association, Commissioner John Campbell, 541-538-0274 or johnd.campbell1@gmail.com.
— Southern Oregon Volleyball Officials Association, Commissioner JoAnn Hartley, 541-531-2514 or jghartley@ccountry.net.
— Southern Oregon Soccer Officials Association, Commissioner Xavier Valdes, 541-261-1199 or Xvaldes15@hotmail.com.
— Rogue Valley Basketball Officials Association, Commissioner Joe Mattos, 541-778-0190.
— Rogue Valley Wrestling, Commissioner Lester McFall, 541-951-5676 or mcfalladventures@gmail.com.
— Rogue Valley Softball Umpires Association, Commissioner Don Alexander, 541-821-8698 or archer.502001@gmail.com.
— Rogue Valley Baseball Umpires Association, Commissioner Jerry Eklund, 541-944-4656 or rvumpires@aol.com.
Becoming a high school official has several benefits, including staying involved in athletics, maintaining good physical condition, and earning money.
“Oregon has an urgent need for officials in all sports,” said Jack Folliard, executive director of the OAOA. “Officers provide a valuable service to high schools and students, have a positive impact on the community and build relationships.”
The registration period for football, volleyball and soccer officials ends on September 30, but there is still a great need for officials in the winter and spring sports seasons and registration for these officials is will extend over the coming months.
The OAOA includes more than 2,300 certified officials in volleyball, football, soccer, cheerleading, wrestling, basketball, baseball and softball.
The shortage of civil servants has become a national problem in recent years. MT file photo
