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Training begins for new football officials

PARKERSBURG – “Without officials, you can’t have a game.”

With this simple truism, training for new high school football officials began Monday evening at Parkersburg High School. Nine prospective officials embarked upon their refereeing adventure with an introductory class in the Mary Lou Hague Memorial Sports and Arts Complex adjacent to Stadium Field.

Official Vince McMillan kicked off proceedings for the new recruits with a wry assessment of what their learning experience will entail.

“Go out there and don’t be afraid to look like an idiot. If you don’t look like an idiot, you won’t learn anything. You’re going to have a great time,” McMillan encouraged.

Leading members of the local officiating community stressed that new blood donning the striped shirts is essential.

“We’ve got 55 local officials, and a lot of them are getting older. Keeping up numbers has been a struggle,” said Officials Association Secretary Craig Parsons.

Mike Webb, clinician for the West Virginia Secondary Schools Athletic Commission, amplified on Parsons’ remarks.

“Here in West Virginia, we usually have between 600 and 625 officials. Now it’s under 600, and we need bodies; good ones. We need them all over the state, not just here.”

Webb, of St. Marys, began officiating in 1955 and was active between the sidelines for 46 years, “until my knees went.” He elaborated on some of the reasons numbers of qualified officials have been dwindling in recent years.

“It used to be, state colleges taught officiating classes, so guys studying teaching or coaching would have officials’ training.”

SSAC associate state clinician and WV/OH rules interpreter and veteran official Larry McCloy was the teacher for the introductory class, and underscored the need for more volunteers.

“A lot of places in the country, people are playing games on Wednesdays, Thursdays – just because there aren’t enough officials to have all the games on one night.

“We’ve got nine guys, and we’re pleased with the turnout. The average class is six or eight; last year we only had two. It’s our best turnout in two or three years,” McCloy continued.

“‘It’s just an introduction. Football’s complex; we introduce them to philosophy, terminology and basic field coverage so they can start calling games. They’ll start with youth and middle-school games,and that will be next month.”

McCloy stressed that the benefits of being an official stretch well beyond just being on the field.

“You’re not a teacher, but a lot of athletes look up to you like a teacher. Sometimes 10 or 15 years down the road, players will come up and remember you; that means a lot.”

Robin Reed, board president of the OH/WV football officials association, seconded McCloy on the rewarding nature of the work.

“It goes beyond the field,” said Reed, “it’s the camaraderie with the people you work with. You get more out of it than just being on the field. It’s the friendships you make along the way.”

All the qualified officials interviewed emphasized that it’s not too late for interested individuals to join this year’s class. Training is free, and officials completing it can register in West Virginia, Ohio or both.

“They could still register early this week,” said Webb.

“If there are a lot of volunteers, we could offer another class.”

Anyone interested in joining this year’s officiating class may contact Larry McCloy at (304) 482-4454, or assistant rules interpreter Nathan Jones at (304) 483-4939.

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