GAOA Program 2013

Georgia Athletic Officials Association and Cliff Keen present

THE

20

th ANNIVERSARY

OFFICIATE GEORGIA DAY

Gwinnett Convention Center Duluth, GA | August 10, 2013

The Officiate Georgia Day program was produced by Score Atlanta, a full-service marketing company. The program was designed by Creative Art Director DJ Galbiati Blalock and content and editing was overseen by Managing Editor Stephen Black and Assistant Editor Craig Sager II. Score can be reached at 404-256-1572, info@scoreatl.com or www.ScoreAtl.com. Be sure to check us out on facebook and twitter.

Photos throughout program courtesy of the GAOA, Ty Freeman, Jon Barash and the GHSA.

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MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS GAOA’s Membership 1.

Approved by GHSA & GISA for Access to All Games & Contests, to include Championship Games

2.

Officials Association with 75% Members Registered Fee is $15.00 Per Official

3.

Officials Association with Less than 75% Members registered – Membership Fee is $20.00 Per Official (i.e., Registration by Associations is encouraged to Reduce Illegal Applicants Getting Membership Cards)

GAOA’s Awards & Recognition Opportunities 1.

GAOA overall “Official of the Year” with Lifetime Membership

2.

GAOA Charlie Bloodworth “Lifetime Achievement Award” with Lifetime Membership

3.

GAOA Sport-specific “Officials of the Year” with Current Year Membership

4.

GAOA officials selected to officiate GACA’s & GISA’s North-South All-Star Games

GAOA’s Improved Website Streamlines Registration and Communications @ www.gaathleticofficials.org GAOA’s virtual Hall of Fame Opened June 5, 2012 @ www.gaoahalloffame.com GAOA Annual Conference 1.

Held Annually with Minimum Registration Fee

2.

Top Local and National Officials lead Professional Development Sessions

3.

Sport Specific Breakout Sessions - Catalyst for Change/Improvements

4.

State of the Art Conference and Training Sites

5.

Vendors Supply Nation Brand Officials’ Gear and Equipment at Discount Pricing

6.

NASO Membership with $20.00 Conference Discount

7.

Annual Training Site for Cheerleader Associations Began - 2011

8.

GHSA’s GAOA Elite Basketball & Football Camps Began - 2012

9.

Open to Other Sanctioned Sport Programs for Annual Training/Specialized Camps

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GAOA - PROMOTING EXCELLENCE IN OFFICIATING

A WORD FROM THE SPONSOR Dear “Officiate Georgia Day” Attendees,

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elcome to “Officiate Georgia Day.” Cliff Keen Athletic is proud to be the Title Sponsor and preferred supplier to Georgia Athletic Officials. Today, we are proud to share in the largest gathering of sports officials anywhere in the great state of Georgia!

Cliff Keen would also like to proudly salute Dr. Ralph Swearngin, GHSA Executive Director, for his 20-plus years of exceptional leadership and commitment for Georgia’s high school officials, and for his help in establishing the GAOA. Dr. Swearngin, along with Alan Smith, and their dedication to the advancement of officiating across the state of Georgia, have helped pave the path for future generations of quality sports officiating.

As your Title Sponsor, Cliff Keen has what you need for sanctioned contests. It’s never too early to get in gear for this season. Turn to the brand that leads the way in quality, performance and service.

You’ll find our assortment of fine Officials Wear available through www.cliffkeen.com and Authorized Cliff Keen dealers throughout Georgia. And don’t forget your special GAOA promotion code for big discounts on all of your officials supplies.

Thank you for your dedication to prep and collegiate athletics throughout the state of Georgia.

We know the dedication to your craft is sincere. And we sincerely appreciate your support. We’re proud to be supporting the GAOA’s “Officiate Georgia Day!” Enjoy the day,

Chad Clark Senior Vice President Cliff Keen Athletic

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A WORD FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Dear “Officiate Georgia Day” Attendees,

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elcome to “Officiate Georgia Day.” GAOA’s Board of Directors, its officers, and its title sponsor – Cliff Keen Athletic Wear, Inc., proudly present “Officiate Georgia Day” to the state’s large gathering of high school officials for professional development. GAOA proudly salutes Dr. Ralph Swearngin, GHSA Executive Director, for his 20-plus years of exceptional leadership, commitment, and care for Georgia’s high school officials, and for his help establishing the GAOA.

The conference program planning committee is pleased to offer you the opportunity to hear from the following speakers, all experts in their fields: • Marvin Hudson, Major League Baseball Umpire • Tony Greene, Officiated NCAA 2013 Men’s Basketball Championship game • Jerome Boger, Referee, 2013 NFL Super Bowl XLVII • Sean Wright, National Basketball Association Official • Jim Lord, Executive Director, American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators • John Stephenson, College Football Hall of Fame Representative • Lesa Parsons and Gus Morris, SOPTI Conditioning Program

On its 20-year anniversary, GAOA is pleased to honor its three former Executive Directors – Michael Wood, Allen Anderson, and Brockey Brock; its three Charlie Bloodworth Lifetime Achievement Award winners – 2011 Dock Sisk, 2012 Walt Carter, and 2013 Robert Barnett Jr.; and its 21 Over-all Officials of the Year from 1993 – 2013, with GAOA Lifetime Membership; and its ten 2013 sport-specific Officials of the Year with their current year memberships. These awards will be presented each year to GAOA’s Officials of the Year and Charlie Bloodworth Lifetime Achievement Award winners.

Additionally, GAOA is pleased to announce that GAOA’s Sportsmanship Award sponsor, 1 Stop Sports, LLC, will present on December 24, 2013, two $1,500.00 scholarships to the child or grandchild of two Georgia high school sport officials.

GAOA extends thanks to the Georgia High School Officials Association sponsors listed in today’s program for their support of “Officiate Georgia Day” and to the sport goods companies that are here today to support our officials. GAOA thanks the NASO for its continued support for “Officiate Georgia Day” by offering GAOA members a $20.00 NASO membership discount. Please visit the NASO and sport goods vendors at their booths to thank them for their support and to take advantage of their quality products and services at discounted prices.

GAOA welcomes Tommy Whittle, who assumes the duties of GHSA’s Associate Director of Football, Baseball, and Literary, and Brent Cribb, who assumes the duties of Vice President of the Georgia Independent School Association, and bids farewell to Dennis Payne, who retired after spending 20-plus years providing exceptional support for Georgia high school officials.

GAOA is proud of the bond between it and the state’s high school associations, which is productive and strong; it helps to provide Georgia officials with exceptional opportunities for professional growth and to provide Georgia high schools with some of the best officiating in the country.

GAOA appreciates the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association, an annual partner in presenting the GACA/GAOA Overall Official of the Year and the ten sports-specific Officials of the Year awards each year at the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association’s Coaches Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony held annually the first week of June at the Northwest Trade and Convention Center in Dalton. Thanks Georgia Athletic Coaches Association for your continued support and friendship.

In closing, I hope you enjoy our guest speakers, do business with our vendors, and make time to visit with officials from around the state and from other sports than your own. Thanks for attending “Officiate Georgia Day” and best wishes for a successful season.

Sincerely,

Alan Smith Alan Smith Executive Director

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GAOA - PROMOTING EXCELLENCE IN OFFICIATING

OFFICIATE GA DAY SUMMIT ITINERARY Image in Officiating: “Make the Right Calls”

Exhibit Hall A - General Sessions (Lower Level) 7:00 AM - 8:55 AM..................................................................................................Pick up Registration Materials 8:55 AM - 9:00 AM.............................................................................................................Please Take Your Seats 9:00 AM - 9:20 AM......................................................................................................OGAD Opening Ceremony Alan Smith, Welcome Marines, Present Colors Bill Barber, Invocation Kyle Chambers, National Anthem 9:20 AM - 9:25 AM............................................................................................................................. Earl Etheridge GHSA, Chairman of Officials Assn 9:25 AM - 9:30 AM..................................................................................................................................Terry Rogers Executive Director, GACA 9:30 AM - 9:40 AM...............................................................................................................................Gary Peterson Cliff Keen Welcome 9:40 AM - 10:00 AM................................................................................................... Lesa Parsons & Gus Morris SOPTI Conditioning Program 10:00 AM - 10:10 AM.............................................................................................................................................. MC Comfort Break 10:10 AM - 10:30 AM....................................................................................................................... John Stephenson College Football Hall of Fame 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM.................................................................................................Tony Greene & Jerome Bogar Getting to the Top - Now What?

11:30 AM - 12:15 AM................................................................................................................................................. MC Lunch/Comfort Break 12:15 AM - 1:15 PM...............................................................................................................................Marvin Hudson Make the Right Calls 1:15 PM - 1:30 PM....................................................................................................................................................... MC Comfort Break 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM......................................................... Touchdown Club of Atlanta - George Gardner Award GAOA Sport Specific Officials of the Year GAOA Past Executive Directors GAOA Charlie Bloodworth Life Time Achievement Award GAOA Overall Officials of the Year 1993 - 2013 GAOA Special Recognition Dr. Ralph Swearngin Cheerleading

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Sport Specific Breakout Sessions “Hots & Nots” 2:30 PM - 4:30PM.................................................................................................Football - Salon 3 (Lower Level) 2:30 PM - 4:30PM............................................................................... Baseball/Softball - Salon 2 (Lower Level) 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM........................................................... Basketball/Lacrosse/Soccer - Salon 1 (lower Level) 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM....................................................................................... Meeting Room 2 C/D (Upper Level) 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM..................................................Swimming & Diving /Gymnastics/Wrestling - Volleyball Meeting Room 6 A/B/C (Lower Level) 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM.................................................Cheerleading - Meeting Rooms 5 A/B/C (Upper Level)

UPPER LEVEL

LOWER LEVEL

*** Cheerleading Officials: Please Retire to Your Annual Training Program at 10:00 AM to Rooms 5 A/B/C (Upper Level)

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GAOA - PROMOTING EXCELLENCE IN OFFICIATING

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OFFICIATE GA DAY SPONSORS Georgia Athletic Officials Association (GAOA) thanks its sponsors for supporting Officiate GA Day, a statewide educational and professional development conference for high school officials.

PLATINUM Cliff Keen, Inc. Title Sponsor 1 Stop Sport’s LLC, Scholarship Sponsor Georgia High School Association Georgia Athletic Coaches Association Georgia Independent School Association National Association Sports Organization Southtowne.com Honigs Whistle Stop, Inc. Purchase Officials, GA Atlanta Quarterback Club Atlanta Area Football Officials Association Atlanta Peach State Football Officials Association Peach State Basketball Officials Association Capital City Officials Association Chattahoochee Officials Association Inc. Chattahoochee Baseball Umpires Association Etowah Valley Football Officials Association, Inc. Georgia ASA

Georgia Football Officials Association, Established 1926 Georgia Lacrosse Officials Association Georgia Officials Athletic Association Georgia Wrestling Officials Association Gold Leaf Football Officials Association* Hinesville Officials Association International City Football Officials Association Lanier Football Officials Association Middle Georgia Basketball Officials Association Middle Georgia Football Officials Association Multi-County Basketball Officials Association, Inc. Multi-County Football Officials Association, Inc. Georgia Amateur Umpires Association Northwest Georgia Basketball Officials Association Northwest Georgia Football Officials Association TARA Umpires Association Renewed Vidalia - Toombs Softball Officials Association West Georgia Umpires’ (Baseball & Softball) Association

GOLD

SILVER

Augusta Association of Football Officials Columbus Basketball Officials Association Houston County Sports Officials Association Northeast Georgia Baseball Officials Association Northeast Georgia Basketball Officials Association Northeast Georgia Football Officials Association Savannah Basketball Officials Association

Albany Baseball & Softball Umpires Association Atlanta Area Basketball Officials Association Atlanta Umpires Association Augusta Baseball Officials Association Columbus Baseball & Softball Umpires Association Columbus Football Officials Association District 2 Officials Association Georgia Mountain Basketball Officials Association Lanier Baseball & Softball Officials Association Metro Atlanta Cheerleading Judges Association Northwest Georgia Cheer Judges Association North Metro Umpires Association South Georgia Basketball Officials Association South Georgia Cheerleading Officials Association Southwest Georgia Cheerleading Officials Association Southwest Georgia Officials Association Statesboro Officials Association Warner Robins Basketball Officials Association West Georgia Football Officials Association

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GAOA - PROMOTING EXCELLENCE IN OFFICIATING

The purpose of the Georgia Athletic Officials’ Association (GAOA) is to organize Georgia’s athletic officials into a cohesive statewide association that encourages excellence in all sports, that emphasizes sportsmanship, fair play, and integrity at all levels, and that provides services and support for the benefit of its membership.

GEORGIA ATHLETIC OFFICIALS’ ASSOCIATION OFFICERS President/Executive Director............................................................................Alan Smith .

P. O. Box 1400, Lyons, Georgia 30436 | GAOA.ASmith@gmail.com 1st Vice President.........................................................................................Larry Sorrells

1121 McCannon Morris Road, Hull, GA 30646 2nd Vice President.................................................................................... Jimmy Hopkins

24 Forest Meadow SW, Rome, GA 30165 3rd Vice President........................................................................................Chuck Tidwell

127 Briar Creek Trail, Lizella, GA 31052 4th Vice President...................................................................................... Spencer Smith

4385 Laurel Circle SE, Smyrna, GA 30082 Conference Coordinator........................................................................ David Lemcoe, Jr.

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OVERALL OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR 1993.................. Tommy Stalnaker

2003........................ Irv Zisselman

1994.............................Mike Wood

2004..........................Larry Sorrels

1995..............................Troy Dailey

2005............................Craig Stone

1996................................. Earl Fales

2006.............................Alan Smith

1997................................ Dock Sisk

2007............................. Rick Boedy

1998....................Randy Etheridge

2008........................James Arnold

1999.......................Larry Hobgood

2009..........................Carl Monroe

2000..........................James Lange

2010........................ Chuck Tidwell

2001............................ Walt Carter

2011...............................Jack C. Bell

2002.....................Betty Jane Ford

2012.........................Dick Kitchens

2013........................Spencer Smith

THE GACA/GAOA ATHLETIC OFFICIALS OF THE YEAR 2013

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he Georgia Athletic Officials Association’s (GAOA) 11 high school officials of the year and its overall Official of the year were honored June 2 during the Georgia Athletic Coaches’ Association’s Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Northwest Georgia Trade Center in Dalton. They were chosen for their outstanding knowledge and skill in officiating, as well as their integrity, leadership, professionalism, and dedication.

Superb officials like these contribute much to high school athletics in our state, and the GAOA and the GACA are delighted to recognize them with this award.

We are pleased to honor, congratulate, and thank them for their continued commitment to excellence in officiating.

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GAOA - PROMOTING EXCELLENCE IN OFFICIATING

2013

OFFICIALS OF THE

Overall Official of the Year

Baseball

Spencer Smith

Cheerleading

Softball Kevin Spivey Lanier Softball Umpires Association

Patrick Joyce

Volleyball

Jonathan Challen

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Soccer

Georgia Lacrosse Officials Association (GLOA)

Lanier Football Officials Association

Swimming & Diving

Multi-County Officials Association

Lacrosse

Tim Tipton

Metro-Atlanta Cheerleading Officials Association

Tim McLean

Augusta Baseball Umpires Association

Football

Gregory Dyer

Basketball

Greg Pridgen

Georgia Football Officials Association

Geoff Sharpe

GA Interscholastic Swimming & Diving Officials Association

Atlanta Area Volleyball Officials Association

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YEAR

Gary Beisser Southeastern Soccer Officials Association

Wrestling Jeff Carman

Georgia Wrestling Officials Association

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2013 OVERALL OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR

By Lauren Goldstein

On the field and off, Smith sets a fine example

S

pencer Smith is the recipient of the 2013

your routine,” says Smith. “If you are in the right

Overall Official of the Year award for his out-

place and make the wrong call you can sell it, but

standing officiating over the course of 31 years.

if you are in the wrong place and make the wrong

The 2009 season was an impressive year for

call, you are dead in the water and I’ve never for-

Smith, as he was honored with both the Touch-

gotten that. I try to stay in that routine throughout

down Club of Atlanta George Gardner Award for

the game because that consistency is so impor-

Outstanding Football Official and the GAOA Of-

tant to the flow of the game and to make sure the

ficial of the Year award. Smith’s career is, with-

coaches know what’s going on just to keep the

out a doubt, one that is admirable of an award as

game running smoothly at all times.”

monumental as the Overall Official of the Year.

Smith’s career has always been all about

that have come before him, but he also takes

football. He has resided in Georgia his entire

time to watch how other officials are making

life, covering several different regions across the

calls, whether it is watching them on television or

state. His career began as a head linesman, but in

at actual games.

Not only, has Smith learned from others

2008, he moved to the referee position where he

is currently.

doing because you can learn from every scenario,

“It’s important to watch what the officials are

After talking to Smith about receiving the

from every situation, and it’s always how they

Overall Official of the Year award, one can see how

work, what they do well, and what we can learn

dedicated he has been to his career over the years

from them because at that level they have done

and why he is worthy of such a prestigious award.

something right to get there,” Smith explained.

“It’s an honor, I was floored, just a tremen-

Over the years, Smith has become more

dous honor,“ said a humbled Smith. “I had no

knowledgeable about the game and has re-

idea I was even being considered for this award.

mained committed to enforcing the rules prop-

I don’t know what the criteria was, but I almost

erly. He also volunteers with the GHSA in running

started crying when they called me and told me I

their summer football mechanics camps for offi-

won. Overall official in the state of Georgia, that’s

cials. One of the most vital parts of an official’s

pretty darn good.”

job is being there to make the right call. At these

Smith would not be where he is today, ca-

camps, Smith helps teach the other officials how

reer-wise, without those people who have played

to move up and down the field in order to remain

an integral role in his development in the GFOA.

on task at all times and enforce the rules properly.

“Our president, Mr. Bill Burrell, was instru-

Smith has become very dedicated to the

mental in steering me in the right direction to

mentoring program, where senior officials take

make sure I did what I wanted to do,” said Smith.

younger men and women under their wing, in or-

“Also, I think I would be remiss if I didn’t men-

der to mentor them to become good officials.

tion Mr. Donavan Splinter for taking me under his

wing in order to give me tutelage when needed.”

“They’ve got to make the commitment with the

association that they are going to be the best of-

Smith’s devotion to the game is truly re-

“It’s also a two-way street,” says Smith.

markable and he has been polishing his routine

ficials they can be.”

over the past three decades. One of the most

important lessons Smith was taught was by the

ing an official, both on the field, as well as his

founder of the GFOA, George Gardner.

work mentoring young, less experienced officials

is to be admired.

“Whenever you are doing games, stay in

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Smith’s dedication and commitment to be-

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GAOA - PROMOTING EXCELLENCE IN OFFICIATING

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

By Alan Smith GAOA President/Executive Director

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harlie Bloodworth was a husband, a father,

of the top basketball officials in the country, Char-

a grandfather, a friend, a mentor, a fund-

lie partnered with the Nationwide Referee Camp,

raiser, a consensus builder, and a leader. Charlie

training and improving hundreds of basketball ref-

was the son-in-law every father wishes for, the

erees. He also spent time observing officials and

husband every woman dreams of, the father and

coordinating television broadcasts for both the

grandfather every child deserves, the friend ev-

SEC and the ACC. Charlie was a past president and

eryone treasures, the mentor needed by every-

lifetime member of the International Association

one who wants to do better. Charlie selflessly

of Approved Basketball Officials (IAABO). He also

helped everyone he could and every good cause

served as coordinator and head clinician of the pi-

that came his way.

oneering Converse All Star Basketball Camp with

Few people have done as much for officiating

Jack Manton in Milledgeville in 1976 – one of the

or officials as Charlie Bloodworth, and fewer still

first camps of its kind. Charlie was a board mem-

are as widely loved and genuinely respected. Char-

ber of The Atlanta Tipoff Club, which honored him

lie represented the game of basketball, its par-

in 1996 with its annual Steve Schmidt Award for

ticipants and officials, with integrity, knowledge,

outstanding contributions to Georgia basketball.

grace and charm. It is a privilege and an honor

The TATO club again honored Charlie when it

to announce that GAOA’s Lifetime Achievement

renamed its High School basketball official of the

Award bears Charlie Bloodworth’s name.

year award “The Charlie Bloodworth High School

Official of the Year.”

Charlie Bloodworth spent a lifetime pro-

moting and advancing the game he loved, though

basketball wasn’t Charlie’s only sport. As an

on the officiating profession. Charlie was an ex-

athlete, Charlie starred in basketball, football,

ceptional basketball official who not only moti-

and baseball for Southwest DeKalb High School

vated aspiring officials to enter the profession,

before attending Georgia State College where he

but created a blueprint for doing so for the entire

competed in basketball and baseball until mov-

industry. Charlie was a pioneer in basketball offi-

ing on to play the outfield for the Waycross Bears.

ciating circles, creating high school developmen-

Charlie played for three years before hanging up

tal and intercollegiate interview camps for train-

his spikes to marry longtime sweetheart, Dent

ing and hiring NCAA quality officials. Charlie was

Richards. Soon after, they started a family and

a mentor, friend, and confidant to many of the top

he took a job as a salesman at DeKalb Sporting

NCAA Division 1 basketball officials in the coun-

Goods, a position he held for 20 years.

try; he delighted in helping officials achieve their

Not wanting to be away from the game

greatest potential. He was a multitalented, gifted

of basketball, Charlie decided to become a high

man who gave freely of his time to raise money

school basketball official. Soon afterwards, he was

for local and national endeavors. It was never

chosen to officiate at the college level, becoming a

about Charlie, it was always about what Charlie

referee for the Southeastern Conference.

could do to help somebody else.

As a basketball official, Charlie Bloodworth

Decades later, he has left an indelible mark

Personally, I’ve never heard a negative

enjoyed a long and distinguished career. He found-

word from or about Charlie; he was about build-

ed the Georgia College Officials Basketball Asso-

ing, not dismantling. Charlie Bloodworth was a

ciation in 1959 and served as its commissioner for

man I admired and respected, and I am honored

21 years. He supervised basketball officials for the

to announce that GAOA’s Lifetime Achievement

Sun Belt Conference for 11 years and the Peach Belt

Award has been named the Charlie Bloodworth

Conference for eight. Mentor and friend to many

Lifetime Achievement Award.

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CHARLIE BLOODWORTH LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

By Craig Sager II

Honoree blazed trail for African-American officials

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n the world of officiating you get what you put in, and by that creed Robert Barnett Jr. is this year’s recipient of the Charlie Bloodworth Lifetime Achievement Award. Like Bloodworth, Barnett has left an imprint on high school athletics through his dedication and commitment to improving the quality of officiating.

Bloodworth’s enduring legacy is as a mentor to young officials and training officials is something that Bloodworth and Barnett have both contributed to the profession. Barnett continues his work toward that purpose to this day.

Barnett started officiating football and basketball in 1964 and continued until 2002. Early in his career, Barnett teamed up with Bloodworth and other dedicated officials such as Alan Anderson to change the way the varying associations were assigned to games. The group felt strongly that in order to improve the integrity of the game, their proposed changes needed to be made. For quite some time, Georgia’s different associations had approached the schools for a contract to officiate their games. The problem was that if schools did not like the calls, they could threaten to not renew the contract the following year.

Anderson, Bloodworth, Barnett and other representatives across the state put together a proposal for the GHSA to assign associations to the schools and have a uniform, unbiased approach to the process. The plan was to see how it played out in its first year in the metro Atlanta area, and to then make a decision moving forward.

“Well, it worked so well that they adopted the plan for the whole state and to all sports,” beamed Barnett. “That was probably one of the best things for the student-athletes, and I know it was for the officials. It gave us [officials] our respect back. We now could officiate ballgames without the threat of intimidation that we were going to lose a contract if the calls did not go in their favor.”

Transforming the profession is something Barnett has done throughout his career. After all, he was the first African-American to officiate a GHSA state championship game. Before retiring from officiating, Barnett also made history by be-

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ing a part of the first all African-American crew to call a football state final.

Over the years, the platform in which sports are played at the high school level has changed.

Games are televised and webcasted worldwide.

Officials gain exposure through technology and according to Barnett

“It gives incentive for each official to become the best they can be,” he said.

Georgia is home to some of the best athletics in the country, and sharing the stage with these athletes requires an understanding of the generation. This is an aspect of Barnett’s career that he says he enjoys most.

“Officiating keeps you close to the young adults so you will not become stale in your thinking,” he declared. “You get older, but the kids stay at that same age. You learn how to adjust and appreciate that and understand the young people better.”

Over the years, Barnett was always motivated to stay in shape and continuing to working year round.

“Charlie spent a lot of time and energy trying to raise the bar for officials and I have adopted a lot of the things that Charlie emphasized like ‘If you are going to be a top notch official, you better work at it,’” said Barnett. “You have to work year round and during the offseason.”

Over Barnett’s 40-plus year career, he officiated in college and worked a full-time job for the local and federal governments. Officiating has been his true passion, and he has enjoyed sharing the passion with such an assortment of great individuals.

“Officiating introduced me to people I would have never known if I did not get into it,” said Barnett. “Doctors, nurses, lawyers, business people. … It has been very rewarding to me.”

This season Barnett says he will spend this upcoming football season evaluating the crews he assigns through the Capital City Officials Association. The CCOA works football, basketball, baseball and soccer.

“I know that Charlie was a quality person and professional, and for me to receive this award in his name is one of the highest honors I could ever receive as a retired official.”

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