SEPTEMBER 3RD MEETING NOTES

 

                          Our Guest speaker for September 3rd was Tripp Sutter. Tripp has been a Division 1 college football official for 11 years. He is a head linesman for mostly Big 10 games and worked the Fiesta Bowl in 2014. This weekend he will be traveling to the Georgia Dome to officiate the Georgia vs. Louisville game, he said he will be working two Nebraska games this year. Tripp indicated all referees are paid a flat fee for each game and are responsible for all travel and lodging costs.

He typically will spend time during the week before each game reviewing game films from the teams playing in the game he will be refereeing. It is essential that he becomes familiar with the type of plays and game habits each team will use. Each referee is graded by a head official each game for their performance and notified if they need improvement.

Tripp talked about a couple of rule updates for this season. They have eliminated helmet face guards that have small openings because of finger injuries. They will be enforcing the sideline rule, when the ball is snapped and anyone but the coach or referee are in the painted area a flag will be thrown. The first offense is a warning the second offense will result in a penalty. Beginning this year a physician will be sitting in the review booth watching for players that may have symptoms of a head injury that a referee or coach have not noticed. The physician can buzz down to the referee and have the player taken out of the game to be checked out.

 

President Roger announced availability of the Rotary Leadership Institute on October 17th  for up-and-coming club officer candidates.  (he did not give any details on who is paying, but those interested can go to the District 5650 website for further information or contact Ron Mortensen for registration details or go to:  http://www.rli-heartland.org/ for the officiial registration.)

 

The treasurer's report announced $11,378.07

 

Steve Kucirek drew the ORANGE ball.