I’m old enough to remember when basketball rules-makers introduced the 3-point line and the shot clock. Back in the 1980’s, I was sitting beside my girl friend (now my wife of 38 years) in Assembly Hall, watching Iowa play Bobby Knight’s Indiana Hoosiers. Toward the… Read More »The Game We Love, Part 1
DMOA BASKETBALL TRAINING MEETING #2 As you begin your 2025-26 basketball season, The DMOA invites you to attend our 2nd in a series of basketball officiating training meetings. Session #2 will focus onFloor Coverage and Mechanics, featuring video play review, illustrations, quiz questionslively discussion and more!! JOIN… Read More »Basketball Mtg #2 -Wed. 12/3
Date: Aug. 21, 2025 Location: Ankeny High School Cost: $75 for non-members, $50 for DMOA members (Registration is now open). Agenda: 3:45 PM – Check-in 4:00 – 5:00 – Opening Session: New Rules Presentation from Jared Chizek, IHSAA 5:00 – 6:30 – Scrimmage/On-Field Work (Intra-Squad… Read More »2025 DMOA Football Officiating Clinic Registration
You probably saw that we lost the great Bernie Saggau recently. A tribute from the IHSAA. The NFHS did a comprehensive job in memorializing him here. Personally, I can say whenever Mr. Saggau came to speak at a DMOA event, there’s a reason we’d have… Read More »Remembering Bernie Saggau
Register now!! The DMOA Annual Spring Banquet is Monday, May 19. The banquet will again be held at the Ankeny Golf and Country Club. Cost of the banquet is only $25 and includes a steak dinner with sides, complementary keg, & door prizes. Social Hour begins… Read More »TJ Halliday to Speak at May 19 DMOA Banquet
Big News from the DMOA! The Des Moines Officials Association is pleased to announce two new collaborative partnerships to enhance member benefits. For years, your DMOA Board of Directors has worked hard to drive value into your annual membership. Our in-season clinics have seen participation… Read More »New Membership Format is Here
Communicating with coaches was one of the hardest skills I learned as an official. I started refereeing when I was 17 years old, so most coaches were twice my age. I think I did a pretty good job calling the game on the floor, but… Read More »Communicating with Coaches
Another year, another Iowa Legislative Session and a possible run at legislative action to protect sports officials. In the Senate, it’s called SF50 or Senate File 50, and the House has their version of the bill called HF52. The Senate will hold a subcommittee meeting… Read More »New Bill State Lawmakers May Consider for Ref Protections
“Hello all –Just a quick thank you to the officials. This gentleman (and his colleague) did a wonderful job balancing teaching” the kids with calling a fair game today. They both took time to provide individual instruction and help these kids learn while fostering a… Read More »Why We Officiate…
FLOW is a psychology term describing a mental state where a person or persons are performing an activity in which they are fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity. In sports, FLOW occurs when… Read More »The Importance of Referee FLOW