FLORIDA PRESIDENT'S STATE OF ASSOCIATION ADDRESS

Greetings Track Coaches and Facility/Meet Administrators. Please read, discuss with your peers and
encourage them to attend the meeting.

Subject: State of Florida Track & Field Officials.

BACKGROUND FACTS:
• Currently USATF Florida Association has approximately 165 Certified Officials to service the entire
state;
• Staffing a local high school/youth meet to a Conference Championship Meet could require 30-50
officials;
• The average age of a USATF Official is approximately 65 years; approximately 30% are under the age of
40 years;
• Many of these Officials are dual certified in the high school system;
• Annually an official will pay an estimate $100-$200 or more to get certified/background checked/etc.
via USATF; this does not include the additional FHSAA cost if they work high school meets;
• On an average day, an official will receive $100-$200/day (based on skill level) for 5-8 hours of service
(does not include travel time & vehicle wear & tear)
• Cost of gas to/from events;
• Cost of manuals/other publications to ensure they are current with rules;
• The USATF Florida Association ensures officials receive trainings, current manual on rules/regulation,
background checks, safe-sport training, etc.
• School Facility/Meet Administrators are responsible for housing, feeding and paying Officials .

Discussion Topic: As the need for Track & Field officials continues to grow, how do we appeal to the
younger generation (40 and below) to become an official in the sport?

It is in our COLLECTIVE interest to have a State-Wide discussion about Florida Officials.

There are 56 Associations Nationally and all of them have different approaches on how to treat Officials.
There is "NO" National Plan.

Suggested Approaches:
1) Micro-Meets; Throws/Jumps/Runs; reduces the number of officials and time spent at the track which
would be attractive to younger Officials.
2) Have USATF National Office create a national database of USATF Officials. The database would allow
USATF Certified Officials (if they choose too), to enter their availability for indoor/outdoor meets, list
information about themselves (i.e., certification level, work history/last three meets, contact
information, etc.). Once an Association has exhausted their internal search, they can use the database
to fill missing positions.
3) Collaborate with local track clubs (Youth & adults) to make nominal donation to their organization for
their staffing volunteer help. Details to be defined.

Number #3 is designed to get the community on your campus, introduce the sport and maybe become
potential official recruits.

Come to the meeting prepared to discuss the pros/cons of each option or your own recommendations.
AND agree to support a State-Wide initiative going forward.

It is simply not rational to think we should continue with the existing process and expect a different
outcome!

Thank you!

Nate Johnson
USATF-FL Association President