Cal U to host PIAA/WPIAL Sports Officials Recruitment Fair
Men and women needed to officiate at junior high and high school sports events
CALIFORNIA, Pa. (Jan. 9, 2012) … Knowledgeable fans of high school and junior high school sports can get into the game as PIAA/WPIAL officials.
California University of Pennsylvania will host a free PIAA/WPIAL Sports Officials Recruitment Fair from 6-9 p.m. Feb. 22 in Hamer Hall Gymnasium.
The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association — the governing body for Pennsylvania high school sports — is seeking men and women who are interested in officiating all sports, especially junior high school and j.v. and varsity games. Candidates must be high school graduates age 18 or older.
“We really need officials,” said Bill Sinning, a PIAA District 7 representative and a scholastic basketball official for 28 years. “Frankly, our officiating staff is getting a little bit older, and we need to do a better job of attracting young people.
“Officiating can be very rewarding and a worthwhile part-time job, depending on one’s level of commitment.”
To become a registered PIAA official, an individual must demonstrate knowledge of sports rules by passing an officials test. The candidate also must submit background clearances to the PIAA.
The recruitment fair gives men and women an excellent opportunity to discuss officiating with representatives of junior high and high school athletic programs in the region.
Sinning will return to the Cal U campus in March to administer the officials tests.
In western Pennsylvania, about 1,600 registered officials are organized in more than 60 chapters in the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League and the Pittsburgh City League.
For more information, e-mail one of the following: Bill Sinning, PIAA District 7 male officials representative, wsinning@comcast.net; Dr. Robert Lombardi, PIAA U.S. associate executive director, rlombardi@piaa.org; Norm Hasbrouck, Cal U special assistant to the President and a registered PIAA soccer official, Hasbrouck@calu.edu; or Peggy Neason, PIAA District 7 rules interpreter for soccer, pneason@comcast.net.
Admission to the recruitment fair at Cal U is free. Visitor parking is available in the Vulcan Garage, off Third Street near the campus entrance. Parking rates begin at $2 for the first hour.
Founded in 1852 and dedicated to building character and careers,
California University of Pennsylvania is a proud member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.
Learn more about Cal U at www.calu.edu
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