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MHSAA 20, 30, 40, 45 & 50-YEAR OFFICIALS

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These local football, basketball and softball/baseball officials on this list will receive their 20, 30, 40, 45 or 50-year service awards at the 39th annual Officials’ Awards & Alumni Banquet at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, in East Lansing on May 5, 2018. A sincere congratulations to everyone!
20 YEAR OFFICIALS
Berkley – Charles Dzwigalski (MDAO)
Bloomfield Hills – Matthew T McDermott (MDAO)
Canton – Jay S Obsniuk
Canton – Keith R Jungquist
Clinton Township – Devlin D Bell
Clinton Township – Steven N Price
Commerce Township – Rob Witherspoon
Detroit – DaCory S Cooper
Detroit – Lamard H Howell
Detroit – Rickie M Miller (MDAO)
Detroit – Duane J Threatt
Grosse Pointe Woods – Bob Blair
Highland Park – Anthony C Ball
Livonia – Michael R Fenbert (MDAO)
Oak Park – Wheeler A Winslow (Tee)
Ortonville – Robert A Eisiminger Jr. (MDAO)
Pontiac – Peter T Long (MDAO)
Rochester Hills – Angelo P Matera
Southfield – Timothy J Adams
Southfield – John H Barnhill III (MDAO)
Southgate – Gregory S St John
Spring Arbor – Michael D Raffin
Sterling Heights – Daniel M Kellogg
Sterling Heights – Raymond E Lemanski (MDAO)
Troy – Shane F Bies (MDAO)
Walled Lake – Larry E Wilinski
Warren – Dennis W Donald
Warren – Gary L Wagenschutz (MDAO)
West Bloomfield Twp – Charles O Redden (MDAO)
30 YEAR OFFICIALS
Allen Park – Timothy Turgyan
Dearborn Heights – Andrew T Sitarski
Detroit – Nikito K Merchant
Detroit – Walter R Strong Sr. (MDAO)
Milford – Douglas A Flees
Northville – Lee A Scafidi (MDAO)
Plymouth – David J Workman (MDAO)
Southgate – Reginald E Smith (MDAO)
Warren – Malcolm D Pennington III (MDAO)
Washington – Thomas J Polite
West Bloomfield – Daniel Camarena (MDAO)
Westland – Gary S Gaspas (MDAO)
Westland – William J Strang
Wixom – Charles A Phillipson (MDAO)
40 YEAR OFFICIALS
Berkley – Charles A Tyrrell
Grosse Pointe Park – Joseph M Macksoud (MDAO)
Madison Heights – Joseph E Marcinkowski (MDAO)
Novi – James S Kowalczyk
Roseville – Robert W Iwasko Sr.
Shelby Township – Michael R Gentry
Sterling Heights – Jack Abbate Jr.
Taylor – Clayton S Conner
Trenton – Richard B Weiss
45 YEAR OFFICIALS
Canton – David H Mattingly
South Lyon – Richard M Gibson (MDAO)
Trenton – Frank Jaskula
50 YEAR OFFICIALS
Dearborn – Eugene L Smith
Lake Orion – G. Timothy Curtis
Let us know if missed anyone!

First MDAO Baseball/Softball Meeting

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Hope everyone enjoyed the holiday weekend!
Monday night is our first MDAO baseball/softball meeting.
First time listed is for baseball.
As always, we are at Birmingham Groves High School 20500 W 13 Mile Rd Beverly Hills MI 48025 in the little theater (West entrance).
Monday April 2nd – 6:30pm/7:30pm
Please be prompt because we plan to stay on time and be home for the game!

2018 Metro Detroit Football Officials Clinic Save the Date!

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Save the Date!

June 23, 2018
2018 Metro Detroit Football Officials Clinic

7 Man High School Mechanics During 7 v 7 Passing Camp
Cost: $65 (includes: On Field Evaluations, Classroom Breakout Sessions, T-Shirt and Lunch)

For more information contact: Gaylon Williams refereegaylon@gmail.com

Learn 7 Man high school mechanics from officials in the following leagues:
NFL – B1G – MAC – MVFC – SWAC -CFO WEST (Big XII, MWC, Southland) GLIAC – MIAA – MHSAA

Football Officials and Coaches Summit

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2nd ANNUAL COACHES/OFFICIALS SUMMIT
GROVES HIGH SCHOOL
20500 W. 13 MILE ROAD, BIRMINGHAM
SMALL THEATER (West Entrance)
MARCH 20, 2018
7-9 PM
We are pleased to announce that we will host the 2nd annual Coaches/Officials Summit. Our objectives are to build on the last year’s success while incorporating the meaningful suggestions from the attendees. It is appropriate to say that officiating philosophy and rules application should be uniform regardless of which crew is working a game or which assigner sent them so, although this event is hosted by the MDAO, we are inviting everybody who is affected by the coach/official relationship. We believe having this type of meeting in the off-season and away from the intensity of a game can really accomplish our goals which are to:
1. Strive for mutual trust and understanding between both groups through straight-forward, constructive and honest dialog.
2. Break down barriers that emanate from a lack of communication both on and off the field
3. Get everyone on the same page involving the most inconsistently enforced rules (called or not – and why).
AGENDA INCLUDES:
7p-8p – Dan Kellogg (official) & Pete Oudsema (official) will give a presentation about effective communication. Ken Stefanski (official) will give a presentation about holding including video.
8p-9p – Open forum Q&A. Coaches, officials and AD’s are encouraged to e-mail Bob Foss (bob@detroit2auto.com) any specific questions in advance.
There will be light refreshments and snacks
With your help, we can continue to improve the High School Football experience for everyone.
Thanks for your cooperation.
Jack Morris and Bob Foss
MDAO Football Trainers

SB 200 & 201 Project Request

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State Senator Hood is working on a project to increase awareness on SBs 200 and 201. SBs 200 and 201 would increase the penalties for assaulting and battering a sports official. Senator Hood is deeply passionate about these bills and would like to see that they are signed into law.

In order to raise awareness of this legislation, his office is coordinating the production of a video that is intended to educate Michigan residents about the dangers associated with being a sports official and to encourage people to contact their state legislators to support the bill to generate momentum for a Senate vote. Right now, SBs 200 and 201 have been voted out of the Senate Judiciary Committee but have seemed to stall in getting a vote on the Senate floor.

How you can help: If you would like to participate, you can expect to be asked the following questions for the video production:

1.)    What is your personal story regarding fan/parent aggression?

2.)    Why do you think this bill would help?

3.)    What does this bill mean for you?

4.)    What would it mean for the future of sports?

5.)    What would it mean for future referee recruits?

6.)    What could the future of youth sports look like if nothing is done to help stop aggression against referees?

7.)    What lesson is aggression against referees teaching our children?

In order to participate, please send the best phone number to contact you at, no later than Monday, January 15th at 5:00 pm to:

Nathan Kark

Chief of Staff Senator Morris W. Hood III

Minority Floor Leader Michigan Senate District 3

NKark@senate.michigan.gov

ph   (517) 373-1254

fax  (517) 373-5338

Request from State Senator Morris Hood

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State Senator Morris Hood District 3 is wanting to connect with a few individuals to see if they would be interested in participating in a short video clip regarding Senate Bills 200 and 201 that would increase penalties for assaulting sports officials.
Some questions that each official would be asked during the video:
1.    What is your personal story regarding fan / parent aggression?
2.    Why do you think this bill would help?
3.    What does this bill mean to you?
4.    What would the bill mean for the future of sports?
5.    What would the bill mean for the future of referee recruits?
6.    What could the future of sports look like if nothing is done to help stop aggression against referees?
7.    What lesson is aggression against referees teaching our children?
Please contact Nathan Kark, Chief of Staff, if you are interested.
NKark@senate.michigan.gov
ph  (517) 373-1254

Official’s Assault Legislation Update

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Yesterday the Senate Judiciary Committee voted favorably to send sports officials assault legislation to the whole Senate for a vote, with a recommendation that the bills, if enacted, be given immediate effect.  The measure passed by a 3-1 vote with one abstention.  The bills, SB 200 and 201, are at the same point where they stalled two years ago.  We need to get them considered by the Senate as a whole.  The way to do this is by putting some pressure on individual senators and, particularly, Senator Meekhof, the Majority Leader.  A letter writing (email) and telephone campaign from officials can help.

 We urge you to contact your State Senator and Senator Meekhof by email, letter and/or telephone to ask their support.  Here is a link to identify your Senator and obtain contact information:  http://www.senate.michigan.gov/fysbyaddress.html.  Below is the outline of a letter you may use as a guide:

Dear Senator,

 I am a resident of ________ and a sports official.  I have officiated the sport(s) of __________________ for __ years.  I write to urge you to bring SB 200 and 201 to a vote by the Senate as a whole and support their passage.  These bills enhance penalties for assaults committed against sport officials.

 Assaults against sports officials have increased dramatically in frequency and severity over the past several years.  I am sure you are aware of the recreational league soccer official, John Bieniewicz, who was killed on the field in Livonia by a punch from an angry player: http://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2017/03/07/michigan-senate-panel-increases-penalties-assault-referees/98872232/.  We need this legislation now.  Young people are not becoming officials, or drop out soon after starting, because of the increasing violence and abuse referees and umpires endure.  This threatens the long-term viability of youth, recreational and school sports programs throughout the state.

 I urge you to support these bills.

Officials Assault Legislation

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Earlier this week, Senator Morris Hood reintroduced the sports officials’ assault legislation which stalled in the Senate last term. The Judiciary Committee may consider the bill as soon as next Tuesday (March 7, 2017). The bill addresses assaults on officials during a sporting event. To review the bill, click here: Review Senate Bill 201 

If you have been a victim of assault (as an official) and you are interested in testifying please contact Jim Dworman.  He can be contacted at jdworman@dflaw.com

There are three local senators on the committee. You can look up the senator for where you live here: State Senator Look Up  Even if you’re not covered by these senators, we strongly encourage you to make your voice heard on this matter.

Patrick Colbeck – District 7 – Canton Township, Livonia city, Northville city, Northville Township, Plymouth city, Plymouth Township, and Wayne city

Steve Bieda – District 9 – Center Line, Eastpointe, Fraser, Roseville, Warren, and a portion of Clinton Township

Tory Rocca – District 10 – Clinton Township (part), Macomb Township, and Sterling Heights

Below is some suggested language that can be used when contacting your state senator. Feel free to copy and paste into an email and personalize as you see fit:

As a sports official, I’d like to bring your attention Senate Bill 201 introduced in the Senate Judiciary Committee February 28 by Senator Morris Hood. The bill addresses assaults on officials during a sporting event. It’s an important piece of legislation to protect and support the hard working men and women that give their days and nights to help make athletic contests possible. I know myself and others will be following this legislation closely and encourage you to help bring it to the desk of Governor Snyder.

Message from the MDAO Board

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By now you’ve probably heard of the incident that happened to some of our fellow officials last week. The conditions and environment at Hazel Park High School that allowed this to occur have no place in high school athletics. It’s the responsibility of the site administration to provide a safe and secure setting for contests. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Have the public address announcer, team member, or cheerleaders read a sportsmanship statement and remain unbiased during the contest.
  • Make sure an event supervisor on scene understands the duties and responsibilities pertinent to that contest.
  • Make sure proper crowd control is visible and in place.
  • Observe the crowd during the contest and prevent any disturbances that may occur.
  • Work with the official during the game regarding crowd control.
  • Escort the officials safely back to the dressing room or automobiles.

We’re following this situation closely and the MDAO will continue to support our membership however we can. Thank you for the professionalism you all continue to display on a nightly basis.