Athletes as Officials
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Becky Fischer of Special Olympics Pennsylvania (USA) and Susan Mitchell (right) have made it to the top as floor hockey referees at the 2005 World Winter Games, but continue to tackle new challenges. Fischer and Mitchell met ten years ago at Special Olympics Pennsylvania State Summer Games, where Fischer, who had retired from Special Olympics competition to pursue her interest in coaching and officiating, was an assistant athletics coach and Mitchell was a Special Olympics Unified Sports® partner. “We are friends first, who happen to be in Special Olympics together,” said Mitchell. The pair jumped at the chance to be trained as floor hockey officials. Although it wasn’t a sport either of them played, it offered an opportunity to be involved with Special Olympics year-round. “We both coach summer and fall sports; now we can keep busy in the winter too,” said Fischer. Read "Playing by the Rules," a full profile of Fischer and Mitchell [Photo by Kathy Smallwood] |
The Special Olympics Officials Program for Athletes helps interested Special Olympics athletes find volunteer mentors who advise and support them as they complete National Governing Body officials' certification. Through this program of inclusion, individuals are given the opportunity to obtain a certification and serve as officials at competitions in the 30 Special Olympics sports. The athlete who becomes a certified official may also qualify to serve as an official in competitions within the National Governing Body or International Sport Federation outside Special Olympics
At the local level, many Officials Program graduates have officiated competitions dating back to 1991. The program was first tested on an international level at the 1995 Special Olympics World Games in New Haven, Connecticut, USA. At these Games, "The Games of Inclusion," there were 39 Officials Program "graduates" who officiated in the sports of aquatics, athletics, cycling, powerlifting, soccer and softball. At the 1997 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Toronto, Canada, six officials who obtained certification via this program officiated in the sports of alpine skiing, cross country skiing, figure skating, floor hockey and snowshoeing.
Why did this program start?
Athletes were able and willing to study and train to become certified officials, and this program addressed that need. It also became another avenue for athletes to expand their social skills, increase community involvement and build self-esteem. Since Officials Program participants are frequently certified as National Governing Body officials, the program can even lead to potential employment opportunities. Certified athletes may realize their value as competent and trained officials and receive compensation for their efforts, just as other certified officials do.
One example of the success of the Special Olympics Officials Program for Athletes is Mike Townsley. The athletic ability and sports knowledge of Townsley, a Special Olympics athlete from Baytown, Texas, USA came to the attention of Special Olympics certified official Tom Pugil, who approached him about beginning a second career as a Special Olympics official. Townsley and Pugil spent hours studying the rules that officials must know to become certified. Townsley learned quickly and passed the standard umpire certification exam. He is now a certified Amateur Softball Association umpire who has officiated at many Special Olympics softball competitions in Texas, as well as at softball games for Baytown Parks and Recreation during the summer — one of Baytown’s most popular umpires. < Read a full profile of Mike Townsley >
For more information on specific ALPs initiatives, visit the links below:
• ALPs Training
• Athletes on Boards of Directors
• Athletes as Coaches
• Athletes as Officials
• Global Messengers
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