Clinics set to train football, soccer officials
Published 12:00 am Friday, August 12, 2005
In an effort to help officials get started in the sports of football and soccer, the Minnesota State High School League is once again sponsoring pre-season training clinics at sites throughout Minnesota. Registered officials from local officials associations will conduct classroom sessions, followed by on-field training at pre-season scrimmages. Veteran officials will “shadow” less experienced officials in these live scrimmage situations.
The recruitment and training of officials continues to be a high priority for the Minnesota State High School League and its member schools. New officials are always needed and welcomed. Anyone with background and experience in a particular sport is encouraged to consider becoming an official. The need for officials is at all levels of play – from middle school through the varsity level.
Soccer Clinics
Soccer clinics will be held on Sat., Aug. 20, in Blaine, Duluth, Eden Prairie, and Rochester. The clinics at Blaine’s National Sports Center, Eden Prairie High School and Rochester Century High School will begin with classroom sessions at 7:45 a.m., followed by scrimmages at 9 a.m.. The clinic at Duluth Public School Stadium will begin at 10:45 a.m., with the scrimmage following at noon. There will also be a clinic at Benilde-St. Margaret’s High School, St. Louis Park, on Tues., Aug. 23, at 6 p.m., also followed by a scrimmage. Registration will begin 15 minutes prior to each clinic.
Football Clinics
Football clinics will be held at nine sites throughout the state on Sat., Aug. 28. All clinic sites are at the local high schools and/or football practice fields. Clinics at Detroit Lakes, Hermantown, Hopkins, Mahtomedi, Slayton’s Murray County Central, and Thief River Falls will start at 9 a.m., followed by scrimmages at 10 a.m.. Clinics at Byron and Sartell will begin at 8 a.m., and the clinic at Mankato West will begin at 8:30 a.m., and in each case scrimmages will follow one hour later. Registration will begin 30 minutes prior to the clinics.
All of the clinics are free and pre-registration is not required. Officials should come dressed to officiate games. Bring a whistle.
“We have a constant need for new officials,” explained League Associate Director Kevin Merkle, who directs the League’s officials program. “We continue to add more teams, more sports and more participants, which increases the need for officials.&uot;
For more information about officiating, visit the League Web site at www.mshsl.org, or call the League office at 763-560-2262. Local high school athletics or activities directors may also be consulted.