When is the school this year?

June 18-21, 2007 at Rice University in Houston, Texas.

What is unique about this referee school?

The school, in its seventeenth consecutive year of operation, is the longest continuous basketball officiating school in Texas. It is nationally recognized as one of the top camps for developing high school officials and improving their skills. Previous sessions of the school have been attended by officials throughout the United States and several foreign countries. It is unique because it offers an attractive alternative to officials who wish to improve their skills and aspire to officiate high school and college basketball but are unable to attend an expensive overnight camp. Inexperienced as well as experienced officials are taught to improve and maximize their potential regardless of their present level of ability.

Why should an official attend this school?

Officials who seek to be successful will find it difficult to improve their skills without attending a camp. This school offers excellent training and instruction by NCAA Division I college officials, successful high school officials, and guest lecturers at a very reasonable price.

What will the program consist of?

This school features a maximum of individualized instruction so that both the novice as well as the experienced official will benefit from the overall course of instruction. This school is not a rules clinic; the classroom for the week will for the most part be on the basketball court. Philosophy of officiating, interpretation and application of the rules, two and three-person mechanics, techniques of officiating, and practical skill development will be covered. There will be lectures, demonstrations, and video tape review during the school.

Will there be individual instruction?

The school's instructors and observers are very carefully selected based on their ability to teach the proper and approved officiating techniques. Enrollment is limited in order to provide maximum court time and individual instruction. All officials will officiate each night of the school with performances being video taped, critiqued, and evaluated.

What is the caliber of play at the camp in conjunction with the school?

The school is on the campus of Rice University, in Houston, Texas, and runs in conjunction with Willis Wilson's Rice Owl Basketball Camp, a camp for top high school players. Local high school and college coaches will be in attendance. The exposure you will receive by officiating at the school will be invaluable.

I have limited experience, will I be in over my head?

Not at all. In fact, on the afternoon of the first day of the school, there will be a classroom session devoted to a review of the basics of basketball officiating for novice officials. This special session will prepare you for the week ahead.

What is the school's schedule?

The school consists of four evening sessions beginning at 6:00 p.m. and ending at about 10:00 p.m. each evening. Classroom sessions and viewing of video tapes are coordinated with floor work. Registration will begin at 5:00 p.m. prior to the first evening's class.

Are there any arrangements for officials needing lodging?

For officials desiring lodging, discount hotel accommodations can be arranged at hotels conveniently located near the campus.

I am a Texas basketball official. Is this camp approved by the Texas Association of Sports Officials (TASO)?

The school has been approved by the Texas Association of Sports Officials (TASO). Texas high school officials will receive proficiency point credit from TASO for attending the school.

What are some of the school's success stories?

While the school is designed for officials desiring to improve their skills at the high school level, and several attendees have officiated in the Texas high school state tournament and other state tournaments throughout the country, quite a number of the school's former students have gone on to achieve success at the college and professional levels. Officials who have attended this school have gone on to officiate in the Big Twelve, Western Athletic, Big West, Sun Belt, Conference USA, Southland, Missouri Valley, Southwestern Athletic, Southern Collegiate Athletic, Lone Star, Heart of Texas, Ohio Valley, and Rocky Mountain conferences, as well as the Continental Basketball Association (CBA), the United States Basketball League (USBL), the International Basketball League (IBL), and the NCAA Tournament.

I've been to other officiating camps. What sets this one apart from others?

This camp is noted for the quality of its instructors, the individual attention given to campers regardless of their ability level, and the consistency of instruction. Recognizing that campers have varying degrees and skill levels, critiques and evaluations are based on each campers' respective experience and ability.

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