Spring Business Meeting: The Annual Spring Business Meeting will be Monday, April 9, at 7:00 p.m. at Washington High School, Room 116.
Sixty-fourth Spring Dinner: Everyone is invited to our annual Spring Dinner at the Crowne Plaza Five Seasons Hotel in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday, April 11, with cocktails at 6:15 p.m. and dinner around 7:00 p.m. We will have a cash bar. Ron Gonder will be the Featured Speaker. Notice the reservation form in this letter. PLEASE return it as soon as possible. If you did not attend the Fall Dinner, your meal is free with your membership. Dinner is $15.00 for your guest or if you attended the Fall Dinner. Make every effort to attend and welcome the new officials.
Top Test Scores: The top Basketball Part 11 test score went to Marv Howsare, who scored a 98%. We had 7 members score above 90%, 15 above 80% and 1 above 70%. 13 officials did not take the test. In the applying category, Randy Long scored a 91%, 7 above 80%, 6 above 70%. Seven did not take the test. Three officials failed the exam.
A Reminder to Update the Executive Secretary: In order to have as few conflicts as possible, I would like for you to up-date your football schedule with me. I will be starting to schedule games in early summer. We have over 100 games to assign once again. Only paid members will be assigned games.
We Are In Need Of New Officials: The need is still there! We need many new officials for this coming fall and winter. Start looking for new members. We need officials who can work middle school games and many early basketball games. We will train them and give them some start-up games. If you bring in a new member, we will give you a free banquet ticket for your wife or friend.
A reminder to new officials who are interested in officiating. Individuals who wish to officiate football and/or basketball through affiliation with the CRAOA and its' training program for either or both sports must initiate their intent by the following dates of the current seasons-, Football-No later than the first regular C.R.A.O.A. meeting for football rules study. Basketball-No later than the first regular C.R.A.O.A. meeting for basketball rules study. Individuals who are beginning officials in football and/or basketball must meet the above guidelines to receive training and game assignments through the C.R.A.O.A. Those who express an interest after the deadline can officiate on their own or can wait until the next year.
Make Sure You Are Up-To-Date With The State Association: A reminder to make sure you have paid your fees at the state level. Boy's Association: I. H.S.A.A., Box 10, Boone, IA 50036. $35.00 for 2 sports and $5.00 for each additional sport.
Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, PO Box 10348, Des Moines, IA 50306-0348. $25.00 per sport plus $3.00 additional, $10.00 penalty after June 1, 2001.
New Officers For 2000-2001: The President is Dick Pohorsky (Football), First Vice President is Jack Jaspers (Basketball), Second Vice President is Dan Hilby (Football). If you have any concerns, please contact any one of them.
Longevity Award: If you are one of the officials who have worked and belonged to the CRAOA for 10-15-20-25-30-35-40 years, please contact Pinky Primrose so we can make sure you will be recognized at the banquet this spring or next fall. We will only recognize you on your anniversary date.
Speakers at Meetings: We would like to thank you speakers who have volunteered to speak at the rules sessions. If you are interested in volunteering next season, please contact Bill Yeisley for Football and Harry Brown for Basketball.
Working State Tournament Series: The following officials worked the State Basketball Tournament Series: Scott Behn, Dick Breitbach, Dan Colbert, Jeff Frese, Rick Hersom, Darrell Hobbs, Jack Jaspers, Jerry Kiwala, Randy Krejci*, Mark Miller and Jerry Winter.
* Denotes State Tournament.
Several Drop Out of C.R.A.O.A. Basketball: The following officials dropped out of CRAOA (basketball): Jeff DeLong, John Millis, Robert Olberding, Boyd Severson, Bernie Ward, Darby Washington and Tom Yock.
Applying Members This Year: The membership will act upon the following officials during the upcoming meeting --- Dennis Fish, Randy Long, Mark Murphy, Mike Wennekamp and Loren Wood.
From Step I to Step II: Sam Barreft, Bryce Conway, Joel Duffy, Craig Murray and Terry Schneekloth.
Transfers to Full Membership: Ray Brainard and Brad Sorensen.
The Following Officials will be Honored at the Banquet: Darrell Hobbs, Mark Miller, Jack Jaspers (5 years); Tim Brashaw (15 years); Jerry Winter (20 years).
Let's Go Back Into History Of The Association! Meeting Minutes...
40 Years Ago: April 1, 1961. 40 members and guests met at the Sheraton-Montrose Hotel for a buffet dinner. President Ray Petrzelka called the meeting to order. Coach Don Shupe of Washington High School was the guest speaker. Don pointed out five characteristics he would like too see in officials: 1/ plenty of hustle 2/ consistency 3/ not too technical 4/ a little thick skin 5/ inconspicuous. A balance on hand of $128.32 in bank account. Expanding on the ruling that all exams must be made up within two weeks of examination date. BB membership went to George Dorrington, Ken Ranshaw, Bill Brousard, Ward Siddell, Bob Allison, Len Novak and Jim Wolfe. It was suggested our meetings could be improved if insignificant technicalities were left out of our meetings. The meeting was adjourned to the study tables.
35 Years Ago: March 21, 1966, the Annual Dinner was held at the Terrace Room of the Cedar Rapids Airport. President Bob Vrbicek called the meeting to order. The new officials were discussed, Approval to Ed Heying and Jim Trimble, temporary approval to Dave Messer, Mike Tousey, Lanny Peterson, Jerry Tann and Paul Stehr. Lou Ginsberg was President-Elect. Jack Stone became the new secretary replacing Bill Quinby. The only new business discussed was having wives attend officials dinner meetings.
30 Years Ago: March 31, 1970, the dinner was held at Ronneburg Restaurant. Bud Paulsen was President. Full membership to Jim Morrow, Al Schulte, Bob Sullivan, Ai Ahrens, Jim Doty and Ken Hartkemeyer. Jim Schneekloth was President-Elect.
25 Years Ago: Monday March 22, 1976-President Marv Howsare called the meeting to order. Evaluation of New Officials caused a lengthy discussion. Full membership to Dennis Billing, Norm Grimm, Larry Palmer, Larry Waiderbach, Dick Knockel and George Volk. Dinner was at the Ronneberg Restaurant. John Lowry was PresidentElect.
20 Years Ago: March 23, 1981 --- President Jim Patterson called the meeting to order. We had $533.00 in checking. Fourteen officials had a score of 90 plus. Sonny Deke, Dian Gorrill, Vaughn McClelland, Mike Neilly, Roy Wegmann and Lynn Johnson were approved for full membership. Rick Koolbeck was President-Elect. Ray Hamad was inducted into the Officials Hall of Fame in Des Moines.
15 Years Ago: Meeting was called to order by President John Pierce. Balance on hand was $446.00 Top score was Rick Koolbeck and Don Holladay with a 95%. Full membership to Dan Alpen, Mike Anhorn, Harry Brown, Greg Gaffey, Lynn Hughes, Todd Kaska, Bob Kelley, Bill Kramer, Charles Visek and Tom Yock. Randy Krejci was President-Elect.
10 Years Ago: March 18, 1991--President Jerry Winter called the meeting to order, 51 officials were in attendance. Checking account had $1,795.58. Rick Koolbeck and Jerry Winter were top test takers with a 97. Full membership to Scott Behn, Joe Crippes, Doug Valentine and Todd Claussen. Transfers into the organization were John Nieland and Larry Waiderbach. Mike Opheim was President-Elect.
5 Years Ago: March 18, 1996. President was Larry Waiderbach. Forty-one members were in attendance. Checking account had $1,053.98. Full approval to membership went to Mark Miller, Corey Haars, Darrell Hobbs. Jack Jaspers and Dan Moore were approved as transfers. Craig O'Brien brochure for new applying officials was approved to print. Tom Cleveland was President-Elect.
Jack Christensen & Bill Yeisley Enter Officials Hall Of Fame: Congratulations to Jack and Bill who were recently selected for the ISHAA Officials Hall of Fame. That makes 14 CRAOA members to be honored. Other Hall of Famers are: Len Benhart, Ray Hamad, Richard Koolbeck, Randy Krejci, John Lowry, Bud Paulsen, Ev Petersen, Lanny Peterson, James Schneekloth, Bob Tvrdik, Bob Vrbicek and Fred Winter.
Deaths of Don Menning and George Thomson: We are sorry to report that Don Manning and George Thomson, both past presidents and honorary members of CRAOA passed away since our last newsletter. The Association sent memorials.