The NMAA, a member-led organization, provides leadership in interscholastic athletics & activities, promoting equitable participation and character development.
Football Officials Exclusions 2008
The NMAA Board of Directors, at its Fall 2006 meeting, requested an ad hoc committee be
formed in order to review and find a possible alternative to the current exclusion system of football and basketball officials by coaches. The committee was formed (comprised of two coaches, two Athletic Directors, three officials and one Commission representative) and met on January 8, 2007 to discuss a possible alternative to the current method of excluding or “blackballing” officials. The rationale for the proposal is stated below and the proposal passed the NMAA Commission and Board of Directors, effective immediately.
Research from all other states in the nation was done in order to ascertain what is being done throughout the country and to seek out best practices for this issue. While the committee felt it is necessary to allow coaches a mechanism through which coaches can “exclude” officials from their school/team, it was unanimous that the current method of exclusion is contrary to the tenets of Pursuing Victory With Honor. The officials on the committee stated that it is necessary to find out why officials have been excluded so that growth and education can come from the exclusion rather than an arbitrary “3” being issued for no stated reason. All members of the committee were in agreement that coaches should still be able to “3” officials but felt that it be done in a manner that encourages education of officials. Some of the problems associated with the current method of exclusion include: patterns of exclusion along race/gender lines, the wrong official being given a “3” wherein similar names are a factor and Athletic Directors issuing “3’s” without a coach’s knowledge or vice versa.
After a great deal of discussion about the current system, a proposal was made to allow coaches to exclude officials and officials to exclude coaches/schools as long as a narrative statement is submitted which justifies the exclusion. It was agreed that a document would be generated by the NMAA office (see attached) and sent to all head coaches and Athletic Directors via email. In addition, officials will be sent a similar document for excluding a coach/school. This document contains a number of categories wherein an exclusion is justified (i.e., mechanics, appearance, communication, etc.). Coaches/officials will fill out the form with a narrative explaining the exclusion within the context of one or more of these categories and will submit it to the NMAA office for review by an established deadline.
All of the exclusion documents will then be reviewed by a Review Committee comprised of the NMAA Executive Director, NMAA Associate Director responsible for the respective sport, NMAA Commissioner of Officials, one Athletic Director and one at-large official from that sport. The committee will determine whether the exclusions are accepted or denied and letters stating acceptance/denial will be sent to each coach/official. Coaches/officials whose exclusions are denied will have a right to appeal the denial, in writing, to the NMAA Executive Director. The document to be used to exclude officials is attached for your use. It is due, along with your football schedule, no later than April 15, 2008 in order to be considered. One justification form is required for each official you wish to exclude.
