Kentucky Umpire Joins US Lacrosse Women's Officials Education Development Team

Kentucky Women's Umpire, John Slider, has been invited to participate in the US Lacrosse Women's Officials Education Development Team.  The team involves US Lacrosse Officials Development staff members, Charlie Obermayer (Senior Manager, Officials Development), Liz Brush (Manager of Officials Development Operations), and Jenn Larkin (Manager of Officials Development Content and Curriculum).  The team functions as a part of the Content and Curriculum area.

The eight-member team is chaired by Coleen Spiegelhoff.

The team will be working with all aspects of the curriculum for education of women's umpires.

The team is divided into ten working groups of two to four persons with each member of the team on multiple groups.  John will be involved in three working groups that will focus on revising the Certified Observers On-Line Course; revising the Certified Observers Webinar; and updating the Officials Training Manual for 2020.

John will continue to serve as the Women's Game, Kentucky Coordinator, Officials Development, US Lacrosse.

Requirements for New Umpires

What are the basic requirements needed before a new umpire is USL certified and works a game?

• Classroom Training: Learn the rules, mechanics, penalty administration, positioning, etc
• Online Course: Rules Online Course is Mandatory (one time)
• Annual Rules Exams: NFHS High School and USL Youth exams
• On Field Training and Evaluation (Rating) - MUST include participants officiating live games

The USL certification process provides the necessary minimum preparation for working games as well as appropriate liability and injury insurance.

For more information contact the KLUB Recruiting Coordinator or the Officials Development Coordinator, John Slider.

Free Voluntary Background Checks Offered to US Lacrosse Umpires

Beginning on August 5^th, US Lacrosse will be providing adult officials, as members of US Lacrosse, an option to voluntarily complete a background check through NCSI. The background check is provided at no cost to the member.

Currently, KLUB does not require a background check for its members, but USL is moving toward requiring USL certified or registered umpires to complete this check.

This offer is a great opportunity for individuals to get ahead of the trend and to save anywhere from $20 to $75 (depending on a person’s state of residence).

Currenlty USL is exploring the feasibility of making background checks a mandatory requirement for officials.  It is already a requirement for coaches and for umpires who seek certification as trainers, observers/raters, or assigners).

For more information on the background check policy please go to: https://uslacrosse.org/safety/safesport.

You may also contact the Coordinator for Officials Development, John Slider, with questions or comments you may have.

Learn About the Officials National Structure for US Lacrosse

Officials National Structure

The US Lacrosse Officiating National Structure is a multilayered structure that equips US Lacrosse to serve, lead and assist in the overall growth and development of the officiating communities across the country serving the sport and its athletes. The purpose of this structure is to deliver timely and relevant officials development communications, education, certification, programs, leadership and support that enhances the experience of US Lacrosse member officials and the constituents they serve throughout the country.

CONTACT YOUR STATE COORDINATOR for information about individual and association development opportunities