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Helping to address the shortage of football officials and assisting those who want to improve and move to the next level are themes of a football officiating clinic planned for May 4 at Scranton High School.
The event brings together experienced collegiate and high school clinicians — and officials of all experience levels — culminating with participation in Lackawanna College’s spring football game that day at Scranton Memorial Stadium.
“Training and opportunities for new and newer officials have never been more important and more needed than they are today,” said Bill Schoen, a Division I college football official and clinic director. “We’ve assembled a panel of presenters that represents national and statewide football officiating excellence all with the idea of encouraging people to enter football officiating, allowing those who are already officiating to improve and assisting others to explore the next level.”
Featured presenters include: Dennis Crim, supervisor of football officials for the Northeast Conference, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, Middle Atlantic Conference and the New Jersey State Athletic Conference; Patrick Gebhart, associate executive director and officiating supervisor of the PIAA; and Paul Sheehan, Division I football official and former PIAA statewide rules interpreter.
Local assignors scheduled to present include: Ted Anderson, Lackawanna League; Joe Pizano, Wyoming Valley Conference; Jim Haney, football and basketball supervisor in the Allentown area; and Brian Albertson, collegiate and high school official from the Williamsport area.
Mark Duda, Lackawanna College head football coach, will also address participants highlighting the roles, responsibilities and expectations of football officiating prior to his 1 p.m. spring game.
Schoen noted that topics will include position mechanics, play calling philosophies, using film review as a tool to improve, understanding keys and areas of responsibilities as well as preparation and guidance on advancing to a higher level.
“We’re also striving to help those who wish to become football officials by inviting them to the event and assisting in their preparation and certification process,” Schoen said.
Registration information is available by emailing the clinic director at football2024clinic-officiating@yahoo.com.