Thread: AOA

**archerwon22** · January 16th, 2007, 12:47 PM

I have been a lurker for several years and decided to open a conversation.
Im sure some of you are aware of the problems with the AOA and the officials. Some of you are not aware of what is going on behind the scene. It appears that there is a division in the ranks of officals. It seems that some officals are in it for the money and have no concerns other than getting their games and checks. Then you have the other side that officiates for the love of the game.
With the current leadership running the AOA many officials are upset because of the lack of support from the commissioner and the rumors of the back room deals with him and the principles running the AOA. An emergency AOA board meeting was held last week for the sole purpose of looking into the problems of the AOA. And as expected the principles sided with the commissioner. The funny thing about this meeting. None of the representitives for the officals were invited to this meeting. A copy of the minutes of this meeting is floating around and it appears that it was a slam dunk, sweep it under the rug meeting.
With the current setup of the AOA. It is the only organization that is goverened by a body of none officals in the state. In fact it is run by 5 principles and the commissioner. The offical have no say so to anything pertaining to the association. When an offical does speak out they are marked and cast aside. Has any of you ever wondered why the good officials that move on to college do not officiate? It is because of the jealousy. What better mentors could you ask for? By having college officials out working and observing 2 things can be accomplished. All officals get better and by having them in the game you also have a great game! Right now there is only one offical that officiates D1 basketball in the AOA. He is never consulted and is labeled a trouble maker by the current commissioner.
Some of you in the past has complained about the officiating. And to be honest, you have a legitimate gripe, because with the current commissioner to busy to do the job that he is paid to do because he is out officiating 4 and 5 nights a week. He doesnt conduct any evaluations of new and veteran officals. On the AOA site a list shows the current observers. They are 2 priciples and the commissioner. How can a principle give an evaluation when he doesnt know the rules or mechanics of officiating? So the next time you want to blast an offical because of his lack of knowledge of the game. Dont! Blame the commisioner and the principles that run the AOA. The official is doing the best he can do with the lack of backing and support he has from his association that he has no say so in. A staff member of the VHSL even made a statement that they would not belong to the AOA as long as it was run by the current board members.
Several of the officals have been talking to the coaches and non AOA board member principles about the current problems. 97% of the coaches asked stated that they do not want the commissioner officiating their games. They feel that if they complain they will be paid back. Or if they did have a problem with him. Who are they going to complain too? One coach even called to the VHSL to complain. He was told to take it to the commissioner! So what is he to do? One AD that sides with the AOA board even made the statement that if the officals keep complaining about what is going on, maybe they will like it better when we make them go back to 2 man crews. Who is that gonna hurt?
So the way it is going now. It appears that 30 to 40% of the officals will not be back next year if some things dont change. If you think the officiating is bad now, wait till you have 2 man crews doing big games and one or both are rookie officials!
All the officals are wanting is to have control over their organization. They feel that changes need to be made in order to better the games officiated. The kids deserve it and the fans do as well!

January 16th, 2007, 05:16 PM

[ QUOTE ]
It is the only organization that is goverened by a body of none officals in the state. In fact it is run by 5 principles and the commissioner. The offical have no say so to anything pertaining to the association

[/ QUOTE ] [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]Isn't about how we elect a president? Just kiss up to the electorial college and you have the needed people in your hands?