Georgia Athletic Officials Association
Becoming a high school sport official is as easy: First, go to the GHSA Officials Association List, find your sport, and find the contact information of the nearest Association Then call or e-mail so the Association can explain the membership process. Please also e-mail Alan Smith for more information or text Alan at (912) 585-8391. Alan with call you promptly to get you officiating ASAP.
Letter From Executive Director Alan Smith:
The dilemma of a shortage of high-school contest officials in Georgia has been looming for roughly a decade. Here in 2023, we’re finally starting to feel its ramifications, and without remedies the shortages and their complications will only worsen as our sports seasons progress in the years to come. There is no time left for anything but solutions, a few of which are detailed as follows.
What’s at stake? Georgia’s high school athletics has routinely earned the prestigious “Elite” status for the huge number of athletic scholarships earned by its athletes. Georgia’s high school athletics, especially football, is an economic indicator that affects state and local businesses income and expansions, shared pride in the state’s athletic accomplishments, and the opportunity for players’ and their families to defer college expenses, et al.
Unfortunately, the misplaced anger of spectators has manifested into assaults on contest officials and even the occasional death of an athletic contest official. Sad but true. This horrible situation has greatly contributed to a shortage of high school contest officials that has worsened over a decade to a point where shortage of high school contest officials is beginning to alter how many games can be played as scheduled in some districts. “No officials, no games” is becoming a reality.
Safety is routinely held up by officials as one of the foremost concerns, if not the main concern, surrounding officiating today. This debilitating situation can be reversed if: (1) athletic arenas are made safe and (2) respect for contest officials is restored. This is doable by setting high behavioral standards and by administering them without fear or favor - eliminate cronyism, promote environments conducive to attracting and retaining officials.
Additionally, (1) pay contest officials commensurate with the important role they fill; (2) ensure broadcasters – who have little or no officiating training or experience – refrain from questioning contest officials’ integrity. Instead, have announcers relay what has happened in-game by reporting what the contest officials’ signals indicate; and (3) collaborate with local law enforcement crowd-control personnel to ensure their procedures and techniques are applied towards this purpose - EMS agency personnel too.
Likewise, we must address components of other issues that will adversely impact the already difficult reality of shortage of officials. These actions will require constant vigilance to keep pace with changing trends and will require broad oversight and cooperation among stakeholders to make athletic arenas safe and to restore respect for contest officials.
One remaining suggestion: coaches, talk favorably about contest officials with your players and encourage them to officiate when their playing days end. It is a great way for them to stay connected to a game they love, to stay in shape, to learn meaningful lifetime skills, to make likeminded friends, to make extra money, and to make lifetime memories.
No officials, no games.
Making high school athletic arenas safe and restoring respect for high-school contest officials is a great and necessary investment, and, along with the other remedies mentioned herein, is a vital step towards stabilizing and protecting a future that is so important to so many in our state.
Click HERE to view the entire letter.
The dilemma of a shortage of high-school contest officials in Georgia has been looming for roughly a decade. Here in 2023, we’re finally starting to feel its ramifications, and without remedies the shortages and their complications will only worsen as our sports seasons progress in the years to come. There is no time left for anything but solutions, a few of which are detailed as follows.
What’s at stake? Georgia’s high school athletics has routinely earned the prestigious “Elite” status for the huge number of athletic scholarships earned by its athletes. Georgia’s high school athletics, especially football, is an economic indicator that affects state and local businesses income and expansions, shared pride in the state’s athletic accomplishments, and the opportunity for players’ and their families to defer college expenses, et al.
Unfortunately, the misplaced anger of spectators has manifested into assaults on contest officials and even the occasional death of an athletic contest official. Sad but true. This horrible situation has greatly contributed to a shortage of high school contest officials that has worsened over a decade to a point where shortage of high school contest officials is beginning to alter how many games can be played as scheduled in some districts. “No officials, no games” is becoming a reality.
Safety is routinely held up by officials as one of the foremost concerns, if not the main concern, surrounding officiating today. This debilitating situation can be reversed if: (1) athletic arenas are made safe and (2) respect for contest officials is restored. This is doable by setting high behavioral standards and by administering them without fear or favor - eliminate cronyism, promote environments conducive to attracting and retaining officials.
Additionally, (1) pay contest officials commensurate with the important role they fill; (2) ensure broadcasters – who have little or no officiating training or experience – refrain from questioning contest officials’ integrity. Instead, have announcers relay what has happened in-game by reporting what the contest officials’ signals indicate; and (3) collaborate with local law enforcement crowd-control personnel to ensure their procedures and techniques are applied towards this purpose - EMS agency personnel too.
Likewise, we must address components of other issues that will adversely impact the already difficult reality of shortage of officials. These actions will require constant vigilance to keep pace with changing trends and will require broad oversight and cooperation among stakeholders to make athletic arenas safe and to restore respect for contest officials.
One remaining suggestion: coaches, talk favorably about contest officials with your players and encourage them to officiate when their playing days end. It is a great way for them to stay connected to a game they love, to stay in shape, to learn meaningful lifetime skills, to make likeminded friends, to make extra money, and to make lifetime memories.
No officials, no games.
Making high school athletic arenas safe and restoring respect for high-school contest officials is a great and necessary investment, and, along with the other remedies mentioned herein, is a vital step towards stabilizing and protecting a future that is so important to so many in our state.
Click HERE to view the entire letter.
The purpose of the Georgia Athletic Officials' Association (GAOA) is to organize Georgia's athletic officials into a cohesive, statewide association that encourages excellence in all sports, emphasizes sportsmanship, fair-play and integrity at all levels, and provides services and support for the benefit of its membership.
- Alan Smith, Executive Director
(912) 585-8391
GAOA Membership
The GAOA Membership Card gives members free admission to all GISA and GICAA contests, including play-offs. For $10, this membership is an excellent way to see more plays and improve.
Officiate GA Day
The GAOA's yearly conference is Officiate GA Day, where officials from all parts of the state and from all sports come together to discuss officiating and learn new skills.
Overall Officials of the Year
William Jones
2017
Tim Tipton
2016
Jim Sneddon
2015
Jill Poole
2014
Spencer Smith
2013
Dick Kitchens
2012
Jack C. Bell
2011
Chuck Tidwell
2010
Carl Monroe
2009
James Arnold
2008
Rick Boedy
2007
W. Alan Smith
2006
Craig Stone
2005
Larry Sorrels
2004
Irv Zisselman
2003
Betty Jane Ford
2002
Walt Carter
2001
James Lange
2000
Larry Hobgood
1999
Randy Etheridge
1998
Dock Sisk
1997
Earl Fales
1996
Troy Dailey
1995
Mike Wood
1994
Tommy Stalnaker
1993
