Spring Business Meeting:  The Annual Spring Business Meeting will be Monday, April 9, at 7:00 p.m. at Washington High School, Cafeteria.

Seventieth Awards Banquet:  Everyone is invited to our annual Spring Banquet at the Touch of Class on Mount Vernon Road, S.E. on Thursday, April 12, with cocktails at 6:15 p.m. and dinner around 7:00 p.m. We will have a cash bar. Gary Dolphin, Voice of the University of Iowa, will be the featured speaker. Notice the reservation form in this letter. PLEASE return it as soon as possible. Your meal is free with your membership. Dinner is $20.00 for your guest. Make every effort to attend and welcome the new officials.

Top Test Scores:  The top Basketball Part II test score was by Cory Burkle who scored 97%. We had 15 members score above 90%, eleven more than last year. Twenty scored above 80%, five more than last year, and 7 above 70%, six less than last year. Six active officials did not take the test. In the applying category, Amy Holecek scored the highest with an 91. Nine scored above 80% and ten above 70%. Eight did not take the test. One official 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 update 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 guest. 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 indicate 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 in August. Basketball—No later than the first regular C.R.A.O.A. meeting for basketball rules study in October. 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 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. $40.00 for the first sport and $10.00 for each additional sport, penalty fee of $25.00 after June 1, 2007. www.iahsaa.org. 515-432-2011 Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, PO Box 10348, Des Moines, IA 50306-0348. $30.00 per sport plus $5.00 each additional sport, $10.00 penalty after June 1, 2007. www.ighsau.org. 515-284-1969 Check out their web-sites.

Officers for 2006-2007:  The President is Pat Dolphin (Football), First Vice President is Mark Miller (Basketball), Second Vice President is Mike Mitchell (Football), Third Vice President is to be elected at the meeting (Basketball). 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 this banquet. We will only recognize you on your anniversary date. Information is taken from the past minutes of the Association.

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: Corey Burkle, Pat Casey*, Dan Colbert, Joel Duffy, Jeff Frese, Fred Griffiths, Rick Hersom, Darrell Hobbs, Jack Jaspers (College), Mark Miller, Mark Murphy, Craig Murray; Terry Schneekloth, Nicole Wiltgen and Jerry Winter*.

Several Drop Out of C.R.A.O.A. Basketball:  The following officials dropped out of CRAOA (basketball): Dan Colbert, Mike Voegele and John Barkhurst.

Applying Members This Year:  The membership will act upon the following officials during the upcoming meeting--Step II to Full Membership: Matt Bader, Jeremy Kohlhaas, Mike Koolbeck, Chad Osler and Shane Remington. From Step I to Step II: Charlie Epperson, Phil Goodall, Rene Hilbach-Barger, Amy Holecek, Brad Jacobs, Brad Johnson, Casey Korn, David Law, Jamie McAlliester, Mike Mullenbach, Chris Oberbroeckling, Adam Olson, Ryan Swales, Tyler Turner, and John Winter. Transfer back to Full Membership: Craig Murray

The Following Longevity Awards:  The following officials will be recognized at the banquet for longevity to CRAOA:

Congratulations to these officials for their service to high school football and basketball.

Hall of Fame Officials:  Sixteen CRAOA officials are members of the IHSAA Hall of Fame. Hall of Famers are: Len Benhart, Jack Christensen, Ray Hamad, Richard Koolbeck, Randy Krejci, John Lowry, Jim Patterson, Bud Paulsen, Ev Petersen, Lanny Peterson, James Schneekloth, Bob Tvrdik, Bob Vrbicek, Fred Winter, Jerry Winter and Bill Yeisley.

Don’t forget to put into thearbiter your 2007-2008 Football and Basketball Schedules.

Check out Web Site:  Active members should continue to update thearibter.net. You can now check out the Roster, Minutes, Requirements, Availability, Master Schedule, and Newsletters on www.craoa.com. If you have any suggestions, please forward them to the Executive Secretary. We will try to work with thearbiter and our web master to give you one of the best.

A Few Reminders About Membership To CRAOA:  These are some of the requirements that make our organization one of the best! 1/ You must take and pass the state supervised test in your sport area. 2/ You must attend a minimum of three (3) local rules meetings per sport. New officials and applying officials must attend six (6). 3/ Officials must officiate six (6) or more games per season per sport. 4/ The Association does not procure Varsity officiating assignments for you! 5/ The C.R.A.O.A. does administer the Middle School, Freshman, Sophomore and Junior Varsity schedules of the Metro schools.

Change of Address:  If you are or will be changing address or phone number please forward the information to the Executive Secretary. We are trying to have a 100% correct roster for you. I need your help on this. You can make the changes on thearbiter.net. Let’s Go Back Into History Of The Association! Meeting Minutes…

45 Years Ago:  April 2, 1962. 35 members and guests met at the Sheraton-Montrose Hotel for a buffet dinner. President Ray Petrzelka called the meeting to order. Coach Gay Dahn of Jefferson High School was the guest speaker. He spoke about his experiences with officials during the year and on how coaches look at officials and rate them at the end of the season. There was a balance on hand of $46.96. Membership went to Don Goodwin, Wally Krouse, Gary Corey, Ron Graham and Norman Sauer. It was brought to the group that two new men who have had previous officiating experience but who did not attend the required number of meetings for new officials would like to be admitted to the Assn. It was decided that this would be impossible to do as it would mean waiving the laws of our constitution.

40 Years Ago:  March 20, 1967, the Annual Dinner was held at the Ronneburg Restaurant in Amana. President Lou Ginsberg called the meeting to order. The new officials were discussed. Approval to full membership were Dave Messer, Lanny Peterson, Jerry Tann and Mike Tousey, temporary approval to Jack Christensen, Dick Christy, Dick Dircks, Dudley Draxton, Arnie Gaarde, Bob Kibby, Jerry O'Brien, Roger Pohlman, Dick Wagner.

35 Years Ago:  March 6, 1972, the dinner was held at Ronneburg Restaurant. Jim Schneekloth was President. President-elect was Pinky Primrose. Full membership to Jack Barker, Bob Kramer, John Lowry, Ed Miller, Roger Norton, Jim Nelsen, Jim Benedict, Gary Karr, Dan Mellenthin, Bill Nichols, Walt Sharp, Don Spratte, Dick Venteicher, Russ Werning. Past Presidents of the CRAOA were honored at the social function as were four men who have served as Executive Secretary. The minutes and records only go back to 1958.

30 Years Ago:  Monday, March 17, 1977, President Marv Howsare called the meeting to order. Evaluation of New Officials caused a lengthy discussion. Full membership to Sam Keilty, Larry Palmer, James Overman, Lee Koelker, William Primley, George Volk, John Wathan. Temporary Approval to Gary Wagner, John Fowler, Norm Grimm and Art Christofferson. Gene Wachholtz was approved as a transfer. The following officials were dropped from the roster due to failure to meet association requirements: Jim Benedict, Arnold Paulsen, Jerry Tann, Larry Walderbach, Russ Werning, Mick Mattiace and Bill Yeisley. Dinner was at the Ronneberg Restaurant.

25 Years Ago:  March 22, 1982, President Richard Koolbeck called the meeting to order. Five officials were approved for full membership: Donna Butikofer, Jerry Winter, Tom Cleveland, Ray Kleuver, Don Holladay. Jim Meskimen was President-elect. The following officials were dropped from roster: John Adams, Sam Kielty, Herb Schaefer and Bob Kramer.

20 Years Ago:  March 23, 1987. Meeting was called to order by President Randy Krejci. Balance on hand was $904.93. Full membership to Steve Daily, Scott Engledow, Jeff Henderson, Ed Lala, Dave Brown, Tim Brashaw, Don Burrows, Dennis Smeltzer. Mick Mattiace was removed from roster because of not meeting requirements.

15 Years Ago:  March 23, 1992. President Mike Opheim called the meeting to order. Full membership was awarded to Brandon Beaudry and Brian Rohr. Transfers into the organization were Gary Ewald, Jerry Kadlec, Eric Riester, Bob Sullivan.

10 Years Ago:  March 17, 1997, President was Larry Walderbach. Thirty-five members were in attendance. Checking account had $990.00. Full approval to membership went to Ron Knoche, Marv Lincoln, Tom Ratchford and Mike Winchester. Chris Caldbeck and Mike Droll were approved as transfers.

5-Years Ago:  April 8, 2002, President was Jack Jaspers. Sam Barrett, Joel Duffy and Kenn McNutt were approved for full membership. Bill Kramer and Terry Turner were approved as full membership as transfers. The Banquet was held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel with UNI Basketball Coach McDermott the featured speaker. Marv Howsare scored a 98 on the BB test. Jim Patterson went into the IHSAA Hall of Fame!

Death of Arnold Espe:  A long time member of CRAOA passed away last week after sufering a stroke. Arnie worked football, basketball and softball in the Metro area for many years.

Scott Fruehling works NIT:  Scott worked his first post-season assignment in the NIT this year. Congratulations to Scott.

CHECK OUT OUR WEB SITE:
www.craoa.com
www.thearbiter.net

Cedar Rapids Athletic Officials Association
4211 High Ridge Rd. S.E.
Cedar Rapids, IA 52403

_______Yes, I plan to attend the 70th Annual Banquet, at 7:00 p.m. at Touch of Class on Thursday, April 12.  

                    I need _______ reservations.

                    Cost will be $20.00 per guest (Pay at the door)        Cash Bar starting at 6:15 p.m.

______ No, I cannot make it to the Annual Dinner.

Please return by Saturday, April 7, 2007

*****REMINDER TO UPDATE THE ARBITER FOR 2007-2008******

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                         SIGNATURE

****RETURN TO PINKY PRIMROSE IMMEDIATELY****