CEDAR RAPIDS ATHLETIC OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION

SPRING 2006 NEWSLETTER

Spring Business Meeting:  The Annual Spring Business Meeting will be Monday, April 10,  at 7:00 p.m. at Washington High School, Cafeteria.

Sixty-ninth Awards Banquet:  Everyone is invited to our annual Spring Banquet at the Ox Yoke Inn in Amana on Thursday, April 13,  with cocktails at 6:15 p.m. and dinner around  7:00 p.m.  We will have a cash bar.  Rick Hartzell, Athletic Director of UNI,  will be the featured speaker.  Notice the reservation form in this letter. PLEASE return it as soon as possible.  Your meal is free with your membership.  Dinner is $15.00 for your guest. Make every effort to attend and welcome the new officials. 

Top Test Scores:  The top Basketball Part II test score was by Cory Burkle and Chris Heidelbauer who scored 92%.  We had 4 members score above 90%,  six less than last year.  Fifteen scored above 80%,  six less than last year,  and 13 above 70%, nine more than last year.  Three scored below 70%.  Twelve officials did not take the test.   In the applying category, Mike Koolbeck scored the highest with an 83.  Four scored above 80% and  6  above 70%.  Eight did not take the test.   Four  officials  failed the exam.

A Reminder to Update the Executive Secretary: In order to have as few conflicts as possible, I would like for you to update your football schedule with me.  I will be starting to schedule games in early  summer.  We have over 100 games to assign once again.  Only paid members will be assigned games.

We Are In Need of New Officials:  The need is still there!  We need  many new officials for this coming fall and winter.  Start looking for new members.  We need officials who can work middle school games and many early basketball  games.  We will train them and give them some start-up games.  If you bring in a new member, we will give you a free banquet ticket for your guest.

A  reminder to new officials who are interested in officiating.  Individuals who wish to officiate football and/or basketball through affiliation with the CRAOA and its’ training program for either or both sports must indicate their intent by the following dates of the current seasons:  Football—No later than the first regular C.R.A.O.A. meeting for football rules study in August.  Basketball—No later than the first regular C.R.A.O.A. meeting for basketball rules study in October.  Individuals who are beginning officials in football and/or basketball must meet the above guidelines to receive training and game assignments through the C.R.A.O.A.  Those who express an interest after the deadline  can officiate on their own or wait until the next year.

Make Sure You Are Up-To-Date with the State Association:  A reminder to make sure you have paid your fees at the state level. 

Boy’s Association:  I.H.S.A.A., Box 10, Boone, IA   50036.   $40.00 for the first sport and $10.00 for each additional sport, penalty fee of $25.00 after June 1, 2006. www.iahsaa.org. 515-432-2011

Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, PO Box 10348, Des Moines, IA  50306-0348.  $30.00 per sport plus $5.00 each additional sport, $10.00 penalty after June 1, 2006.  www.ighsau.org. 515-284-1969

Check out their web-sites.

Officers for 2005-2006:  The President is Jeff Frese (Basketball), First Vice President is Pat Dolphin (Football),  Second Vice President is Mark Miller (Basketball), Third Vice President is Don Allison (Football).  If you have any concerns, please contact any one of them.

Longevity Award: If you are one of the officials who have worked and belonged to the CRAOA for 10-15-20-25-30-35-40 years, please contact Pinky Primrose so we can make sure you will be recognized at this banquet.  We will only recognize you on your anniversary date.  Information is taken from the passed minutes of the Association.

Speakers at Meetings: We would like to thank you speakers who have volunteered to speak at the rules sessions.  If you are interested in volunteering next season, please contact Bill Yeisley for Football and Harry Brown for Basketball.

Working State Tournament Series: The following officials worked the State Basketball Tournament Series:  Corey Burkle,  Pat Casey,  Dan Colbert, Joel Duffy, Jeff Frese, Fred Griffiths, Rick Hersom, Darrell Hobbs, Jack Jaspers (College), Mark Miller,  Mark Murphy, Craig Murray;  Terry Schneekloth,  Nicole Wiltgen  and Jerry Winter. 

Several Drop Out of C.R.A.O.A. Basketball:   The following officials dropped out of  CRAOA (basketball):

Dennis Boedecker, Rob Canada, Scott Enright, Brian Gravel, Bill Kramer, Daniel Moore, Terry Turner. 

Applying Members This Year:  The membership will act upon the following officials during the upcoming meeting--Step II to Full Membership: Blake Brandt, James Potts, Steve Rucker, Travis Wilgen.  From Step I to Step II: Mathew Bader, Jeremy Kohlhaas, Michael Koolbeck, Chad Oslaer, Shane Remington, Paul Schwerin. 

Transfers to Full Membership: Matt Miller 

       Web Site: www.craoa.com

The Following  Longevity Awards: The following  officials will be recognized at the banquet for longevity to CRAOA:

5-YEARS RECOGNITION: Ken Juran (FB), Marv Lincoln (FB),  Randy Long (BB), Chad Pohorsky (FB); Mark Murphy (BB), Kevin Schrader (FB), Phil Ritchie (BB).

10-YEARS RECOGNITION: Mark Borchardt (FB), Darrell Hobbs (BB), Jack Jaspers (BB), Ed Johnson (FB), Mark Miller (BB), Kevin Ridley (FB), Adrian Simonson (FB) Rick Swan (FB), Brad White (FB).

15-YEARS RECOGNITION: Doug McArtor (FB), Steve Pisarik (FB), Joe Schmall (FB) and Deb Trimble (FB).

20-YEARS RECOGNITION: Don Allison (FB).

25-YEARS RECOGNITION: Jerry Winter (BB).

30-YEARS RECOGNITION: Don Haugen and Rich Hejda (FB).

35-YEARS RECOGNITION: John Pierce (FB).

40-YEARS RECOGNITION: Bill Yeisley (FB).

Congratulations to these officials for their service to high school football and basketball.

Hall of Fame Officials:  Sixteen CRAOA officials are members of the IHSAA Hall of Fame.  Hall of Famers are: Len Benhart, Jack Christensen, Ray Hamad, Richard Koolbeck, Randy Krejci, John Lowry, Jim Patterson, Bud Paulsen, Ev Petersen, Lanny Peterson, James Schneekloth, Bob Tvrdik, Bob Vrbicek, Fred Winter, Jerry Winter and Bill Yeisley. 

Don’t forget to put into thearbiter your 2006  Football and Basketball Schedules.

Check out Web Site:  Active members should continue to update theariber.net.   You can now check out the Roster, Minutes, Requirements, Availability, Master Schedule, and Newsletters on www.craoa.com.  If you have any suggestions, please forward them to the Executive Secretary.  We will try to work with thearbiter and our web master to give you one of the best.

A Few Reminders About Membership To CRAOA:  These are some of the requirements that make our organization one of the best!  1/ You must take and pass the state supervised test in your sport area.  2/ You must attend a minimum of three (3) local rules meetings per sport.  New officials and applying officials must attend six (6).  3/ Officials must officiate six (6) or more games per season per sport.  4/ The Association does not procure Varsity officiating assignments for you!  5/ The C.R.A.O.A. does administer the Middle School, Freshman, Sophomore and Junior Varsity schedules of the Metro schools.

Change of Address: If you are or will be changing address or phone number please forward the information to the Executive Secretary.  We are trying to have a 100% correct roster for you.  I need your help on this. You can make the changes on thearbiter.net.

Let’s Go Back Into History  Of The Association!  Meeting Minutes…

Forty-Five Years Ago (1961): President was Ray Petrzelka.  George Dorrington, Ken Ranshaw, Bill Brousard, Ward Siddell, Bob Allison, Len Novak and Jim Wolfe were accepted for basketball membership. Don Shupe, basketball coach at Washington High was the featured speaker. He pointed out five characteristics he would like to see in officials: 1/ plenty of hustle  2/ consistency  3/ not too technical  4/ a little thick skin and 5/ inconspicuous.  Checking accout had $128.32.  40 members and guests were in attendance at the banquet at the Sheraton-Montrose Hotel.

Forty Years Ago (1966): President Bob Vrbicek introduced guests at the annual Spring Dinner at the Terrace Room at the Airport.  Ed Heying and Jim Trimble were approved for full membership. Jack Stone replaced Bill Quinby as secretary. 

Thirty-Five Years Ago (1971): President was Bud Paulsen.   New approved officials were Jim Morrow, Al Schulte, Bob Sullivan, Al Ahrens, Jim Doty and Ken Hartkemeyer.  It was recommended that officials get $25.00  for working  football and basketball.  Dinner was held at the Ronneburg Restaurant in Amana.

Thirty Years Ago (1976): Marv Howsare  was President.  New officials approved to full membership were: Dennis Billing, Norm Grimm, Larry Palmer, Larry Walderbach, Dick Knockel and George Volk.  Dinner was held at the Ronneberg Restaurant in Amana.

Twenty-Five Years Ago (1981): Jim Patterson was President. Financial report was given. We had $533.00 in the checking account. Sonny Deke, Diane Gorrill, Vaughn McClelland, Mike Neilly, Roy Wegmann and Lynn Johnson  were admitted as full members. Spring banquet was held at the Ronneberg Inn in Amana.

Twenty Years Ago (1986): John Pierce was President. We had $446.00 in the checking acct. Full membership went to Dan Alpen, Mike Anhorn, Harry Brown, Greg Gaffey, Lynn Hughes, Todd Kaska, Bob Kelly, Bill Kramer, Charles Visek and Tom Yock.

Fifteen Years Ago (1991): Jerry Winter was President. We had $1,795.58  in the checking account.  Full status was granted to Scott Behn, Joe Crippes, Doug Valentine and Todd Claussen.  Transfers were approved, John Nieland and Larry Walderbach.

Ten Years Ago (1996): Larry Walderbach was President.  Full membership went to Mark Miller, Corey Haars, Darrell Hobbs. Transfer to Jack Jaspers and Dan Moore. Five officials dropped becasue they didn’t meet the requirements of the association.

Five Years Ago (2001): Jack Jaspers was President.      Dennis Fish, Randy Long, Mark Murphy, Phil Richie, Mike Wennekamp and Loren Wood was moved to full membership.  Transfers approved to full membership were Brad Sorenson.  The checking account had $3,220.54.  Crowne Plaza on 16th floor hosted the banquet. Ron Gonder was the featured speaker.

Division III Playoffs: Jerry Winter, Pat Dolphin, Jack Jasper and Darwin Cartenson and former CRAOA member Don Holladay worked the Division III Football Playoffs in Minnesota. Brad Phillips, worked the R.C. Bowl Game!  Ron Blocklinger, Mark Borchardt and Adrian Simonson worked the NAIA  Playoff.  Ron Blocklinger worked the ISHAA Play-offs.  His named was omitted in last Fall newsletter.  Congratulations  to these officials.

Member to be recognized by IHSAA:  Bill Yeisley will be recognized by the Athletic Association at its Annual Officials Banquet on May 6, 2006 at Gateway Center, in Ames.  He was selected by the National Federation as the Football Official in the State of Iowa.  Congratulations to Bill. 

CHECK OUT OUR WEB SITE:

           www.craoa.com