SE grid officials seek recruits

The Southeastern Washington Football Officials Association is seeking men and women who are interested in officiating at junior high, middle school and high school football games this fall. Karl M. Johanson, assigning secretary, said they particularly need new officials from smaller towns and rural areas.

First regular meeting of the officials association will be next Tuesday, Aug. 23, at 6:30 p.m. at Pullman High School.

Persons interested can call Johanson in Pullman or visit with Jack McGrath at the Quilted Heart on Grand Ave. in Pullman.

Johanson said the association normally has about 34 officials on its roster before the start of the season and picks up six or seven recruits.

The officials association covers varsity, junior varsity and junior high games for the SE schools in the area and Pullman and Clarkston. For the upcoming regular season the association will provide officials for 45 varsity games. The association’s territory includes Pomeroy and Asotin and Washtucna in addition to Whitman County games.

Johanson said the association through its members generates funds to subsidize staffing for small school games. The system provides five-man crews of officials for smaller schools in the SE which are not required under state regulations to have five officials at their came.

In effect, the association provides a fifth official for the smaller schools without charging. The fifth official will be provided at 32 small school grid contests during the regular season.

Normal staffing through a week in the regular season calls for crews at Friday night varsity games, Monday jayvee games and mid-week junior high games.

Johanson said the association has five regular crews for varsity games. During the season they assign new officials to jayvee and junior high games as part of crew which includes experienced officials to provide on-the-job training.