New Officials Getting Started with IHSA & WBOA
Western Basketball Officials Association (WBOA) is here to help you get started on building a successful and rewarding career in officiating. Below find the necessary steps to make that a reality.
1st: Get licensed with the IHSA
LOG-IN: WWW.IHSA.ORG in the top center of the page there is a link to “OFFICIALS” click on it.
Click on the link to the left that reads “How to become a licensed Official”
Bottom of the page is the link that reads “Start the application process”
You must be 17 years old to become a licensed official however if you are younger you can still officiate at your local Park District. Just contact them they have "biddy ball" for you to get out and blow the whistle.
Cost: Annual fee is $70.00 for your 1st licensed sport $20.00 for additional sports. Your School can help with the cost. The IHSA allows for your Athletic Director to sponsor 2 students at no cost.
2nd: Join WBOA and enroll in our Mentor Program
JOIN: Enroll at our first meeting Oct 1, 6:30 pm then attend at least two of our remaining four meetings. This season, all of our meetings will be at Glenbard South High School on Butterfield Rd in Glen Ellyn. We will meet on Tuesday’s, all starting at 6:30 pm. First-year membership dues are $20, subsequent years dues are $45.
MENTOR PROGRAM: Once joined the WBOA will assign veteran officials to Mentor to new officials. The Mentors will be available to discuss any and all basketball situations, observe you at games and possibly work games with you.
3rd: Contact area assignors for game assignments
Your Mentor can help you with contacts to area assignors. Depending on the players’ grade level, officials are paid a range of $20 - $35 per assignment for middle school, park district, AAU and travel. High school the pay ranges from $52 - $91 per assignment. You can also contact your local park district, they have games from 3rd grade on up. Ask about officiating these.
Get involved in Special Olympics, contact Nate Henry (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Bob Reczek (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). This is another good place to get some experience at blowing the whistle, understand positioning, using your judgment and to help a great cause.
4th: Purchase your uniform from one of the several uniform companies
There are several companies that can provide you the necessary equipment as per the IHSA Guidelines detailed below. Full uniform packages are available ranging from $150 to $200.
Basketball (Girls & Boys)
- Standard black and white vertically striped knit shirt with short sleeves. Byron collared or V-neck shirts are recommended (no turtle necks);
- Black trousers (no flares) beltless is highly recommended;
- Entirely black shoes with black shoelaces, all-black socks;
- Belt if worn-should be entirely black;
- Jackets should be entirely black;
- The whistle should have a neck cord and should be such that it may be heard, Fox 40 is highly recommended. A second whistle should be carried for an emergency.
- Required IHSA patches must be properly worn.
- Basketball officials should not wear watches or jewelry.
Some online Uniform Companies are as follows: Honigs, Smitty, Officials Choice, Purchase Officials, Amazon, the list is endless….. or you can find these same vendors at a local IACO clinic in early November (2019 date is November 9).
5th: Take your level 1 exam in November
Each year take and pass a 25 question online, open-book rules examination. Prepare for the exam by:
- reviewing the rules book that will be sent to you with your IHSA registration;
- attend the WBOA exam study session designed to help new officials prepare for and pass the required licensing test.
Additionally, review when required online videos from the IHSA such as Concussion Management Protocol and annual Rules and Points of Emphasis. After you completely the 1st step above (License with the IHSA), this will be available in the Official's Center.
If at any time you have questions or need further help feel free to contact one of our Board of Directors:
- Randy Wilson This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Carl Palash This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Randy Liveris This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Dan Knapp This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Don Cugier This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.t
- Mark Gehl This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Gail Huster This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
