Dear Editor,

Over the last 10 years I have had the opportunity to make dozens of great friends, be witness to sportsmanship at its best, interact with some of the best athletes and coaches in the state of Pennsylvania, learn priceless lessons about poise under fire and have a front row seat to many storybook events of both triumph and tragedy.

I have had this honor, because for the last ten years I have been an active PIAA football official.

Many might wonder how anyone in their right mind would want to be screamed at by fans, questioned by coaches and doubted by players on a regular basis. These are fair concerns, but all take a distant back seat to the benefits an official receives for having worked even one game.

These benefits include:

1) Creating friendships that will last a lifetime - I have made friends during the last ten years that I am happy to say will be at my side for a long time to come.

2) Supplemental income – In an average year most officials profit approximately $1000 per season. If you are willing and able to work 4 evenings per week, this amount can easily be doubled. This is a great income for college students.

3) Schedule Flexibility – Many potential officials claim they do not have the time. This is a fair concern, but the beauty of officiating is that you take only the games you can work. You are never forced to work a game.

4) Learned skills for your professional life – During any given contest, I may have to defuse arguments, calm coaches, enforce rules and maintain order. These are all skills that have proven to be worthy in my professional life.

5) Satisfaction in a job well done – All officials will have a sense of satisfaction in a job well done when they walk off the field knowing that they “worked” a good game. This type of satisfaction is not easily found.

6) Remaining active and involved in a sport you love – I grew up, like many, playing football with friends, in Junior High School and then finally at the Varsity level. Officiating allows me to stay involved in a sport that has taught me a great deal of lessons.

7) Exercising while working – Officiating football requires a fair amount of running. This allows you to stay in shape and remain active while working.

8) Remaining involved in the youth of central Pennsylvania – Central Pennsylvania and my local high school has given me a safe haven in which to grow up in and participate in sport. Officiating in a professional manner allows me to give back in a unique manner.

The Central Pennsylvania area is experiencing an officiating shortage. The Centre Counties Chapter, which includes Centre and Clinton County, is currently running a recruiting effort in hopes of obtaining new officials for this upcoming football season.

If the above description strikes your interest and this is something that you feel you can and want to do, we are asking you to contact myself of any football official to make arrangements to take the necessary steps to become certified. The steps to become certified are relatively easy. These steps include signing up for the proper exam, taking the exam and then joining a local chapter. Once this is completed you will be ready and able to work games.

The PIAA only offers the exam three times per year and the next exam is being offered on the first Monday of June. You can learn more about this exam and obtain the proper paperwork by contacting me or logging on to PIAA.org. If enough people express interest a special date and location might be able to be set up.

If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact me at 570-748-0225. I want and can help you with any questions or concerns you have regarding the steps that need to be taken. I hope you decide to take the steps and become involved in this extremely rewarding field.

Thank You,

Kevin Ransom