Success of Shrine Bowl Games rides on Generosity of Experienced Officials
It is true that nobody comes to a football game to watch the officials work. It is also true that without the officials, there wouldn’t be a game to watch, which makes the contribution of the Shrine Bowl officials an invaluable addition to the success of the game. “We go for the best,” says Shrine Bowl Executive Director Dave Mize. “We’re always looking for experienced, talented officials whose work and character help bring up the level of play every year. We think we have the best group of officials you’ll find anywhere.” The Shrine Bowl has method of selecting officials that encourages participation by many of the state’s best. Each year, 15 officials are chosen to work the game, although only 7 are needed on the field at any one time. “This allows us to a completely different set of officials for each half,” says Mize, “and that makes it possible for more officials to participate.” Seven official also makes the game more like a college game, which has a crew of seven, instead of a high school game that has only 4 or 5”. The 15th official serves as coordinator of TV timeouts, helps with rules interpretations, and stands ready to go on the field in the unlikely event one of the on-field officials becomes ill or injured. One of this year’s veteran officials is excited about taking the field again for a Shrine Bowl. Don Clapsaddle of Erie will be working his 6th Shrine Bowl. He’s a prime example of the type of experience and dedication that selected officials bring to the game. His black-and-white career started when he was only 19. “I’ve been officiating for 28 years,” he says. “I played the game, and wanted to stay active in it, and officiating seemed be a good way to do that. So I made some contacts, got some training, and I’ve been on the field ever since.” Clapsaddle has been a regular high school official in southeast Kansas during his officiating career. While at least part of the motivation for being an official has to do with the supplemental income it provides, officiating the Shrine Bowl game goes far beyond finances. It has to, because these officials donate their time, and even pay their own expenses, including meals and gas. “We’ve never paid our officials,” says Mize. “We give them a cap and a program, and thank them for their work. They ‘pay to play”, so to speak, and we’re grateful for the skill and dedication they bring to the game.” Three officials from each of the five areas served by Kansas Shrine Temples are selected for each game. “That spreads the officiating around the state,” says Mize. “We will allow an official to work for three years in a row, before he’s removed from the rotation for one year. That helps us accommodate as many officials as possible who are qualified and want to work our game, and still gives us consistency in officiating from year to year.” Clapsaddle says accepting a Shrine Bowl bid is not hard for most officials. “For starters, it’s a great cause,” he says. “And for an official, there’s some prestige attached to working a Shrine Bowl game.” He also enjoys working with officials from different parts of the state. “It’s fun to work with great officials that we don’t see during our regular high school games. We make new friendships, and always learn from each other.” The other officials for the 2006 Shrine Bowl game, with their previous years of Shrine Bowl service, include Lyle Walter, Waterville (10); Wayne Converse, Manhattan (5) John Bruckner, Salina (2); Shannon Haydock, Andover (3); Jim Stewart, Americus (5); Tim Clapp, Andover (3); James Blaauw, Topeka (3); Mike Oplotnik, Girard (3); Gary Davis, Chetopa (2); Kirk Simone, Silver Lake (2); Chuck Lozar, Satanta (5); Roy Smith, Iola (3); Donald Clark, Olathe (1), and Larry Henshaw, Leavenworth, first year.2 Proceeds from the game support the Shriner’s Hospitals for Children, a network of 22 hospitals that provide expert, no-cost orthopedic and burn care to children under 18. Advance reserved chairback tickets are $20.00 in advance, $21.00 on game night. Adult general admission tickets are $9.00 in advance, $10.00 on game night. Student tickets are $5.00 in advance, $6.00 on game night. Banquet tickets are $20.00, and must be purchased in advance. Advance game tickets and banquet tickets can be purchased through the Shrine Bowl office by calling 1-800-530-5524 Additional information and a link to Shriners Hospitals for Children can be found at http://www.ksshrine.com |