8/28/10  E-Mail From Tom Rau regarding expectations

To All,
It is only the first week (second counting scrimmages) and we are already getting calls from schools about officials and their expectations from the schools. Here are some guidelines for us to follow with our varstiy crews and sub-varsity, especially the new guys who are just learning the ropes.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
It is reasonable to expect to have a safe and secure environment to work. That is, game management present and available to you and your crew, to handle situations outside of the field of play.

It is reasonable to have access to fresh water to hydrate. This may or may not include bottled water.

It is reasonable to expect your pay to be handled in the manner that the school chooses.

It is reasonable to expect game management to have properly trained individuals to operate the clock, chains, etc.

WHAT NOT TO EXPECT:
1.The school does not have to provide a separate parking space for you and your crew. It is nice if they do, but do not complain if you end up parking with the general public.
2.The school does not have to provide you with meals, gatorade, pop, hot dogs, popcorn etc. If they offer (and most schools do) they it is OK. Please do not ask for seconds, don't be a pig. If offered, then accept with humility and thankfulness, not demands.
3.The school does not have to grant admission to your guest. Always offer to pay for your guest (kid, date, etc).
4.If you are traveling less than 50 miles (in general), please do not expect a room, a shower, et cetera. Come dressed,
pre game at your car, lets make this low maintenance for the school. If a school offers these accomodations then accept, if needed, again with humility, and thankfulness, not demanding.
5.We should be at a game 1-11/2 hours before the game, try to use that as a guide. Too early makes the school have to have someone available earlier than necessary, and too late causes worry for game administration.
6.You may or may not be paid at game time, please reserve your opinion on pay systems to conversations with each other, not game management, they are only following their Business Manager's requests. If filling out vouchers make them legible and complete for info asked for.

Most of these things (there are probably more, but these are the ones so far this year) are common sense. Let use some.

Thanks,
Tom Rau

8/28.10  Penalty Administration

Play:  A 1 runs for a 7 yard gain. A 2  holds 5 yards further down field ( beyond where A 1 was tackled.)  The penalty will be administered from the basic spot which is the END OF THE RUN. This is not a previous spot enforcement.  If the foul had occurred behind the end of the run, then that spot would have been the spot of penalty enforcement.

Play:  4th down and K 1 punts the ball which goes down field and is muffed by R 1 and the ball rolls into the endzone where K 2 recovers.  NO WAY..a dead ball can not be recovered.  The ball became dead as soon as it broke the plane of R's goal line.

8/26/10    Coaches On The field

I wanted to make sure that I was "on the same page" as the MHSAA in regards to coaches coming on the field between downs to talk to one or more of their players.  They are not allowed to do that unless there is a time-out.  This is a warning followed by a 5 yard penalty if it happens again.  We must all be consistent in enforcing this. 

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