Competitive sporting endeavors in Ohio and across the nation are currently struggling to find and hire trained, qualified game officials in all sports to staff the expanding schedule of contests from the youth level through the collegiate ranks. There is a dire need to recruit and train personnel to serve as umpires, judges, on-field and court officials and supporting personnel.
The Cleveland Football Officials Association is proud to present “The Art of Sports Officiating,” which will take place HERE at Polaris Career Center on April 23, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The event will include background information on how to become a licensed official in the State of Ohio for multiple high school sports. It will also include networking opportunities allowing you to meet with local officials to ask questions about joining the profession and learn about assigning procedures. The event is sponsored by Polaris, The Cleveland Browns, NOMS Southwest Orthopaedics, RefReps and The Cleveland Football Officials Association. This year’s event features special guest Mark Baltz, a veteran NFL official with 26 years of experience. He will share insights from his journey to the NFL and highlight key moments from his officiating career.
Local and regional athletic leaders including coaches, directors, officials association leaders, assignors and commissioners are encouraged to promote the recruitment, training and development of contest officials in all sports currently organized in the Northeast Ohio area. Leaders from the recreational leagues, scholastic sports, collegiate levels and the sports media are invited to attend this important event and help spread the word and share the benefits of officiating sporting contests.
Interested in attending? Click HERE to RSVP in advance. For more information, contact Rocky Neale, Recruiting Director of the Cleveland Football Officials Association, at Rneale58@gmail.com or 216.570-3893.