MND-B Soldiers learn to make call by completing football officiating course while deployed

Courtesy Photo | CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – 1st Sgt. Joseph Miracle, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 16th Engineer Brigade, retrieves a penalty flag after making a holding call during a flag football game Sept. 22 at the Victory Base Complex. Miracle was one of six students who participated in an Ohio High School Athletic Association Football Officiating Course, which was conducted from July to September. The game was part of an officiating clinic, which offered the students an opportunity to practice Ohio high school officiating rules and gain on-the-field experience calling a football game.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

10.11.2006

Courtesy Story

16th Engineer Brigade Public Affairs

by Sgt. 1st Class Tracy Ballog
16th Eng. Bde. PAO

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – Soldiers in Multi-National Division – Baghdad's 16th Engineer Brigade, currently deployed to Iraq, will not be able to cheer on their favorite football teams from the stands this season.

Rather than lament the loss of their cheering opportunities, the Soldiers took advantage of a unique opportunity to become certified Ohio high school football officials while deployed to Iraq.

The course ran from July through the end of September. It was conducted by Maj. Fenton Moore, a native of Columbus, Ohio, who serves as a supply and purchasing officer with the 16th Eng. Bde. Moore has more than 20 years of high school and college football officiating experience.

"Officiating is a great way to stay involved with the game, whether its football, basketball or baseball," said Moore. "Some of our Soldiers expressed an interest in getting involved in officiating, so I worked with the Ohio High School Athletic Association to run the class and certify them as high school officials.

"Football is really big in Ohio, and I saw an opportunity to recruit some good people. Sometimes it's hard to get into officiating if you don't know where to turn unless you know someone who is involved in it. Everybody thinks they can officiate from the stands, but it's a little different when you get out on the field and you see what's going on."

Upon hearing of the Soldiers' interest, Moore contacted Henry Zaborniak, the commissioner of OHSAA, and arranged to be certified as an instructor. While OHSSAA provided rule books and study material, Moore found being in Iraq forced him to be inventive. Instead of the students gaining practical on-the-field experience during a true game situation, Moore relied on videos, DVDs and other items to make up for the in-theater limitations.

Assistance came from multiple sources in the United States, including study articles and football play DVDs sent by Bill LeMonnier, a National College Athletic Association Big Ten and Football USA official, a High School Rules Study CD from Ellen Bouchard of Rules-Study.com, and a DVD of football plays for the students to review sent by Greg Keller of Rulebooks.com.

The students met approximately twice a week and received more than 35 hours of instruction in high school football rules and mechanics before practicing their newly learned skills during a football clinic, which concluded the course.

"Most of the students previously played football, but there's a big difference between playing the game and calling the game," said Moore. "During the class, we went over high school rules, which are different than pro or college. The mechanics are also very different, and that's very important as it tells the official where they're supposed to be standing, what they're supposed to be looking at and what they're responsible for on a particular play."

Moore had to be inventive in running the football clinic also. Since there were no football teams or a true football field, he recruited 16th Eng. Bde. Soldiers to challenge the officiating students during a flag football game on an unmarked dirt field.

Despite the challenges, Moore and his students said they felt the game simulation was worth the effort. The students, who operated as a four-man crew, were tasked with conducting the flag football match like a regular game and were responsible for keeping the game clock, controlling the game, calling and marking fouls with the flag and referee reporting.

"The simulation game gave them a real good look at the mechanics of the game, such as where they're supposed to be and what they're supposed to be watching. They got an idea of all different positions and things they've got to deal with, like whether to blow the whistle or not blow the whistle – all that stuff," Moore explained.

The game clinic also provided Moore an opportunity to share his on-field experience with the students, including tips and tricks for umpire placement on the field, spotting the ball and how best to work with each other to ensure the game is called correctly.

The students said the course was worth the effort and offered a welcome diversion during the deployment.

"I played college football, and the sport has always been in my life. Being in Iraq, the class was a great change of pace and something to make time go quicker by learning something I can do when I get home," said Spc. Joshua Slaughter, a native of Columbus. Ohio, and an administrative assistant in the 16th Eng. Bde.

Spc. Ronnell Williamson, administrative specialist, 16th Eng. Bde., who hails from Cleveland Heights, Ohio, said participating in the course was a positive experience and a welcome diversion while deployed.

"I always wanted to be a referee but never had the time. Maj. Moore's suggestion to have class was a great opportunity to make it happen. I'm an athlete and I love to compete. This certification will give me another opportunity to stay in touch with the game."

Williamson said he also found calling a game as an official much more difficult than being a fan or a player and Moore's insight was invaluable to his goal of becoming a football referee.

"You don't know how hard it is until you actually go out and do it. While this game was just a small scale, it has given me a lot of experience. Maj. Moore was very detail-oriented teacher who explained every rule to a 'T' and made certain he did a good job," said Williamson.

"This environment is nothing like home. For me, being away from my family and dealing with obstacles from my daily job, the class really broke up the hustle and bustle of what we do every day. I could relax a bit and get away from rugged life we live over here," he continued.

Moore said the students are now certified Class 2 officials who can officiate football games up through the Junior Varsity level, although the students will miss this year's season.

"These folks did really well. They learned rules well, which gives them a good background and foundation for next year when they get an opportunity to be on a high school or little league field. As with all new officials, they will need more practice as the more games you officiate, and the more plays you look at, the better and more comfortable you become."

For deployed Soldiers interested in conducting or participating in a similar type of athletic officiating course, Moore said they should first seek out a certified official or someone with a background who could be certified as an instructor. The next step is to contact the appropriate state high school athletic association or a hometown high school athletic department since state and sport may have different certification requirements.

• Date Taken: 10.11.2006
• Date Posted: 10.11.2006 13:11
• Story ID: 7989
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ