The bulk of our new officials’ training classes are over. We have a good group of eager new officials this year. Stephen Hallmark and his committee enrolled and trained more than 131 new officials. When you meet one of our new members, please make them feel welcome into our officiating fraternity. When you work with them on the field, please help them become better officials.

With this year’s State and District Meetings behind us, we are ready to prepare for the 2010 season. We have a full slate of meetings designed to help all of us prepare for the season and become better officials. I encourage all of you to attend as many meetings as possible. In order for you to officiate football this year, you are required to attend at least one rules clinic. If you missed the Rules Clinic in June or the State and District Meetings in July, you can fulfill this obligation on August 16 at the Campbell Center.

On July 13, the Chapter held the “Coaches Picks” at the Campbell Center. This all-day affair went off without a hitch. More than 950 varsity games will be worked by the 81 crews in our Chapter.

I understand from Don Martinez that our mentoring program is full. I want to thank all the mentors for helping out. I believe this program is key to our continued success as a Chapter.

It is also very important that all our clock and 25-second clock operators are committed to a great job. These positions are critical to a well run ball game. The clock operators are key members of the officiating crew at each varsity game. Let’s all work closely to have the best run games in the state.

I would like to thank the Board of Directors for all the work that they have done this season. I would also like to thank the assistant secretaries for helping with the scheduling and getting all the games covered.

I hope we all have a great season and that all of us can look back with pride at the 2010 season.

Mike Atkinson
President – Houston Football Chapter