The annual drive of an organization to add new people to officiate football games is underway.
Dan Murphy, representing the Southwest Missouri Football Officials Association, discussed this year's effort during a recent visit to KRZK's "Ozarks Now" program. Murphy said the program, coordinated with the Joplin Officials Association and the Missouri State High School Activities Association, will get underway this Sunday with a first orientation session at Springfield Catholic High School. Murphy said that session will review the items needed to begin training plus information to review on rules.
The second session on July 19 will be the first training session on the field with follow-up training starting in August and continuing for the rest of the season. First-year participants will be paired with veteran officials working Junior High, Freshman, and Junior Varsity Games this season.
Murphy says the program has produced several new officials but recruitment will continue as some of the veteran officials retire.
Despite new officials being added, Murphy says selected games this season will be moved off of Friday due to a shortage of crews. So far, the only Lakes Region game slated to be moved is the Week 8 Contest with Reeds Spring at Hollister, which will be played on Saturday October 17.
The complete interview with Dan Murphy can be found on the Ozarks Now Facebook Page or below:
