Track & Field/Expert Profile

Expertise

I am a master USATF Track and Field official and can answer questions about officiating high school (NFHS), college (NCAA), National (USATF) and international in field events. I am not a coach except for other officials. My specialties are the Field events except pole vault.

Experience in the area

I delight in meeting athletes from all backgrounds and ages. I have even officiated field events for a one hundred year old long jumper as well as many "Master" and "Senior" athletes. Special olympics is a great event for officials to volunteer and see the essence of good sport on the faces of the athletes. After thirty three years as a trial lawyer in Massachusetts with a focus on sports law, among others, I retired and devote much of my time to officiating. I referee soccer, time football, officiate swimming and diving, and officiate and start all events in track and field. My special focus in field events. In high school and college I played soccer, squash and lacrosse, but track was not available in any depth then. Since I was a lawyer I began officiating and training to officiate sports which I could fit into my schedule. I honestly do not remember when I first started track and field officiating, but estimate that I have been very active for at least fifteen years. I regularly officiate all events and levels.

What do you like about this subject?

Track and field is the sport all people, of any age, weight, height, or disability can enjoy. The joy is in the sport and the challenge of competition. Winning is as much attaining one's own "personal best" as conquering an opponent. The sport involves a great deal of study and science to maximize one's performance. Athletes in the sport must p

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

The sport, with all its various events, gets better with every new skill the official learns. Just like the athlete, practice and study make for better officiating and greater fairness to the competitors.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

The greatest single flaw in officiating is failure to study and understand the rules. Second is the failure to remain focussed on the event and making errors negligently. Rules are different for other levels, venues, nations, and organizers. Indoors and outdoors are seperate rules.