Prospective Track Officials Invited to Monday Clinic at PHS

PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- Anyone interested in being an official for high school track and field meets is invited to attend a clinic on Monday, March 28, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Pittsfield High School.

 

"The track and field athletes in Berkshire County are the nicest kids you will ever meet," PHS coach Joe Albano said in an email announcing the clinic. "They are polite, courteous, well behaved and very competitive. While competitive, they are great sportsmen and sportswomen. They not only cheer for their teammates, but they also cheer for the athletes on the other teams as well."

 

Albano said that officials at Berkshire County meets this spring will earn between $89 and $129 per event, depending on the number of teams competing.

 

In the Pioneer Valley, the going rate will be $90 for a dual meet (two schools, either boys or girls) or $135 for "double dual" meet (boys and girls from each school).

 

"I've been told that the [Pioneer Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference] is only doing double duals this year, so it's going to be the $135 rate," Albano wrote. "once you are an official, you can officiate anywhere in the state and country."

 

Officials are required to attend a yearly clinic, pass an open-book test once every four years and pay a $110 annual membership fee to the Western Mass Track and Field Officials Association, which provides certification, liability insurance and a rule book.

 

Anyone interested in Monday's clinic should contact Albano at jalbano12456@verizon.net.