Until 2005, men’s officials’ sessions at the convention were limited to the NCAA clinic. Since that tentative start- two sessions in ‘05- our content has doubled every year. The 2008 Convention will continue the pattern with plenty of new material for us.
Programs will begin at 1:00 on Friday afternoon, and continue until 6:00 Friday evening, allowing officials to catch Mike Eruzione’s keynote address at 7:00.
Saturday’s program will be highlighted by our own keynote session entitled “Training and Injury Prevention for Officials--Off and On the Field”, presented by Jim Buriak and his staff from the Health Department of Roanoke College. This presentation promises to be of high value for all officials. The keynote will begin at Noon, immediately following the NCAA/COC Clinic, which will begin at 8:30am. All officials are welcome to attend beginning at 9:00, following the COC business meeting.
A full slate of sessions will follow the keynote on Saturday afternoon. New this year: 3 sessions of special interest to the newer official will be presented in addition to programs for those with more experience.
In addition to our usual trainers’ programs on Sunday morning, there will be 3 sessions for all officials focusing on rules and mechanics. Men’s officials’ presentations will conclude on Sunday at Noon.
Clinicians’ Training at the last two conventions has helped to build our excellent corps of COC and SOC Clinicians. In lieu of Clinicans’ Training at the 2008 convention, there will be a session exclusively for NCAA and MCLA Assigning Authorities and Observers, sponsored jointly by the NCAA, USILA, and US Lacrosse. If this is for you, you’ve already received an invitation.
If you’ve attended the Convention in recent years, you know the value of our programs designed for men’s officials. If you haven’t been here yet, 2008 is your year. Either way, the Convention is the road to taking your officiating to the next level. Sign up today!
I'll post a full list of speakers and topics as soon as I get it.