Austin Football Officials Association - Recruiting

Good afternoon folks!

As the Austin metro grows so does the uptick in schools with football programs. This is extremely taxing on our officials to meet demands. If you are on the outlying areas of Austin and interested, visit our website: https://www.afoa.ws/

Here is some more information from the page:

To learn more about our training program, season schedule, and other aspects of officiating
football, review the following Frequently Asked Questions. To place your name and contact
information on our 2019 training class email list, go to www.afoa.ws, click on the link under
Become an Official, and provide your contact information. You can call us at (512) 423-9663 or
email us at recruiting@afoa.ws.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers:

Why become a football official?

Your love of football brought you to this website. You need not be an ex-player or coach to
become a great official and have a memorable officiating career. Working around student
athletes at all levels of football is gratifying, plus you’ll develop life-long friendships with other
officials who share your passion for the game. Prior officiating experience is good but not
required. Our thorough training program will prepare you for an enjoyable and successful
officiating career. Officiating football is also a great way to get and stay in shape, be a positive
role model for student athletes, retain your competitive edge, and earn additional income.

How do I enroll in the training program?

First, email us at recruiting@afoa.ws so we can add you to our 2019 training class list. Most
training meetings are held on Monday evenings, 6-8 pm, from early July through early
November. In August, after you've attended a few summer meetings and had time to decide
if officiating is right for you, you’ll be provided and asked to complete an application. Once you
submit the application and complete the background check, you’ll be enrolled in the training
class and gain access to RefTown, the software system used to schedule our sub-varsity and
varsity game assignments. The nonrefundable training fee (currently $50) will be due and
payable in October.

What type of training will I receive?

The Austin football chapter of TASO (Texas Association of Sports Officials) provides a two-year
training program for new members. Training classes meet each Monday night (July through
November), include classroom and on-field instruction, and are taught by a crew of veteran
Become a Football Official - 2019
officials. New officials should make plans to attend training sessions each Monday night. The
classes are mandatory.

What time commitment must I make to officiate football?

As a first-year official, you’ll be expected to attend Monday night training meetings and study
the rules related to class discussion. Sub-varsity games are scheduled Monday through
Thursday evenings. As a first-year official, you have the opportunity to work most weeknights,
except Mondays. You will decide how much you want to work depending on your desire and
availability. During the season, you will be asked to work games in a variety of stadiums
throughout Central Texas. This distribution of games will help you become familiar with and
receive training from most of our veteran officials.

How will I be paid?

Local schools and school districts hire football officials as independent contractors.
Accordingly, you’ll receive a check for each game assignment you work from the school
district. We recommend you keep accurate records as your earnings are taxable, reportable
income. As a new official, you’ll start working sub-varsity games, which pay $40-$50/game.
Varsity game pay is based on game attendance. On most weeknights, new officials work two
back-to-back, sub-varsity games at the same stadium (example: one 7th-grade game and one
8th-grade game), and receive $40-$50/game. A mileage fee of $15/night is also paid, with
mileage calculated using State of Texas rates for games outside metro Austin. We carpool to
most games outside the metro area. Varsity game chain and clock assignments are paid, too.

What costs are involved?

Most officiating equipment must meet specific requirements, so we encourage you not to
attempt and purchase a uniform at local sporting goods stores (Academy). Your start-up
uniform will cost approximately $150, including mostly black, cleated shoes. A number of
online vendors sell officiating equipment, and vendors may sell uniforms at the early training
meetings. You’ll have an opportunity to obtain previously-worn uniforms, too. Local TASO
chapter dues run about $130/year.

Where are the games officiated by the Austin TASO football chapter?

Austin football officials work both public (UIL) and private school (TAPPS) games throughout
Central Texas. While the majority of games are in metro Austin, game assignments include
nearby Central Texas school districts, too. Youth football games are not associated with our
chapter but are assigned by members of our chapter who work with local youth leagues. These
games, typically on Saturdays, provide great training for new officials. However, no game or
training points are awarded for these games. Pay is provided by the youth football leagues.

How do I gain experience and start working varsity games? How are varsity officials chosen?

Chapter members are ranked based on points accrued by working games, attendance at
officiating clinics, and exam scores. On-field evaluations affect rankings, too. During your first
couple of seasons, attempt to work as many scrimmages and sub-varsity games as you are
assigned. On Friday nights (varsity games), run the chains and the clock in every game you are
assigned.

How do I become a collegiate and/or NFL official?

If you want to officiate college or pro football, this is the place to start. All of the officials you
see working Saturdays and Sundays began in a local chapter working sub-varsity and varsity
games. Several members of the Austin TASO football chapter are college officials, and one
member is an umpire in the NFL.

What’s the most common complaint of football officials?

Almost every chapter member regrets waiting to start training to become a football official.
Don’t make their mistake and wait another season to start the process of becoming a Texas
high school football official. To learn more about the training program and get added to the
2019 training class list, email us at recruiting@afoa.ws or call us at (512) 423-9663.