Long Island Swimming Officials Association 
Serving Long Island Swimmers and Divers for 65 years! 
January 2022
Let's see how this goes ...

In preparation for the championship season, lets take note of our guidance from the NFHS:

The primary role of the official is to ensure fair competition which is conducted in a positive, safe and healthy environment and that actions of the competitors, coaches and other team personnel are in compliance with the rules.  

In fulfilling this task, the official  must  establish  the  best  possible  competitive climate for fair competition with the attention on the athletes, rather than on the official. The conduct of each official affects the public’s attitude toward all officials. Therefore, every official must uphold the honor, integrity and dignity of the profession.


Thank you,
George Fleckenstein
president 
The National Association of Sports Officials acknowledges Dak Prescott’s “walk-back” from comments he made on Sunday, January 16 after his playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Those comments lauded Cowboys’ fans for their targeting of the officiating crew with projectiles thrown from the stands. Once emotions cooled, Dak realized the serious error of his words condoning such bad behavior. Yet, even with his apology now made public, NASO believes the nature of what he said was so egregious the NFL should remove Dak from consideration for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award.

Further, it should not go without notice that a number of the media representatives at Dak’s press conference not only did not call him out for his outrageous comments, they seemed complicit with their howls of laughter, as if the matter was fodder for humor. What he said was in no way funny.

In these times, it is of critical importance that all of us in organized sports affirm and reaffirm a commitment to sporting-like behavior and to the safety of the men, women and young people who officiate the sports that mean so much to all of us.
Relay takeoffs (NFHS Rule 4‐6)

Be in position (approximately where the side wall meets the end wall) to observe first the feet on the takeoff of the departing swimmers, then the touch of the incoming swimmers’ hands and shall judge whether the swimmer is in contact with the platform when the incoming swimmer touches the end of the pool.
In meets where dual confirmation IS used, the officials designated to observe relay takeoffs shall independently record the  number of the swimmer committing the 
relay takeoff violation and the lane in which it occurred.
The side judge should not signal for a relay takeoff violation until the last swimmer in the heat is in the water. The official should continue to give the signal until the 
referee, if more than one official is present, acknowledges the signal or sufficient time has been given for such communication to have been observed. 
The  official  shall  record  in  writing  the  order number of the swimmer committing  the violation and the lane in which it occurred. Immediately following the race, any violations should be reported in writing to the referee.
LISOA Calendar

Recognition Dinner Meeting - March 2022 


diving-board.jpg
Things Every Diving Judge Should Know...
...The art of judging diving is not only a question of having sufficient knowledge of the NFHS Rules Book as, in reality, the written rules are the easiest part of judging. The difficulty is in mastering the unwritten rules and factors which 
influence all diving judges, both 
consciously and unconsciously.
Thank you Larry Wachter and committee members Walter Gustafson, Stu Plosky, Jane Reilly, and Kevin Bishop for again developing, promoting, reviewing and selecting our annual $1000.00 Student-Athlete award!
ANNUAL FOOTBALL POOL - SOLD OUT -

Thank you Kevin and Nelson for your tireless sales of our fund raising football pool. We split the proceeds between the pool winners and our annual LISOA Budget. Good luck to our 100 participants and thank you for your support of our association!
THANK YOU DOUG VIRKUS FOR YOUR ENDLESS ENERGY FOLLOWING UP WITH US TO COLLECT ALL THE TEAM SPORTSMANSHIP BALOTS!
REVIEW FOR CHAMPIONSHIP OFFICIATING
  • Be knowledgeable of NFHS swimming rules.
  • Study the NFHS Swimming and Diving Rules Book, including the situations and rulings.
  • Be consistent in the application of the rules at all times and at all levels of competition.
  • Enforce all rules equitably and fairly. Do not allow rule infractions to go uncalled simply because no one has gained an advantage. If there is a violation, it must be called. Do not try to decide who might be unfairly affected by a violation.
  • Exercise fair and unbiased judgment by disregarding a swimmer’s identity, team affiliation, etc.
  • Mentally review what is required for a legal performance and what would render the performance illegal.
  • Make timely decisions.
  • Call only those violations you specifically observe. Do not guess or anticipate. Be prepared to explain the “who,” “what” and “when” of the violation, as well as where you were positioned to see the violation. Swimmers are either in violation of the rules or they are not in violation. Do not discuss close calls with coaches or competitors. A close call is a no call!
  • Give your undivided attention to your specific assignment.
  • Avoid coaching athletes. 
  • Explain the rule and the violation to coaches when requested to do so.
  • Do not give advice to swimmers or coaches on rule violations.
  • When discussing the circumstances surrounding events that occurred during the meet with other officials, wait until the meet is over or there is a scheduled break, and you are away from fans and coaches.
  • As an official, never publicly criticize another official or an official’s decision. Report any concerns about another official to the meet referee.
  • Comments or discussion on a call should not take place with representatives of the media.
  • Refrain from cheering or verbally supporting participants or a team while serving in an official’s role.
  • When a mistake occurs, correct the mistake according to the NFHS rules. Do not make a decision to “make up” for a poor decision made earlier.
  • Be professional and friendly when interacting with administrators, coaches, athletes, spectators, other officials, etc. Do not socialize with these individuals, as it may give the impression of favoring one team over another.
  • Dress professionally in accordance with state association rules regarding official’s uniforms. Do not wear apparel that promotes any particular team or would call into question impartiality.
  • Maintain control of the meet but remember that all participants want to do their best while having a fun and enjoyable experience.
  • Neither under‐officiating nor over‐officiating is desirable. Officials should never try to determine “why” an athlete may or may not have done something that constitutes an infraction. If an infraction is observed the proper penalty shall be applied by the official.
The Life of a Diving Judge:
Trying to be Objective in a Subjective World
(and vice versa)
2022 Boy's Swimming and Diving Championships

January
31 Section VIII Division Diving NCAC 5:00 pm

February
1 Section VIII Division A Championships NCAC 5:00 pm
1 Section XI League Diving Championships Hauppauge 5:30 pm

2 Section VIII Division B Championships NCAC 5:00 pm
2 Section XI League 1 Championship Sachem North HS
Session #1 3:45 pm
Session #2 6:00 pm

3 Section VIII Division C Championships NCAC 5:00 pm
3 Section XI League 2 Championship Hauppauge HS
Session #1 3:45 pm
Session #2 6:00 pm

9 Section VIII Diving Championships NCAC 5:00 pm
10 Section XI Diving Championship Hauppauge HS 5:30 pm
11 Section VIII Sectional Swim Trials NCAC 6:30 pm

12 Section VIII Sectional Swim Finals NCAC 12:00 pm
12 Section XI Swimming Championship Stony Brook University
Session #1 10:00 am
Session #2 2:00 pm

March
4-5 NYS Championships, Ithaca 10:30 am
Prep List for Swim Meets - found on the internet

A swim meet official has a lot of responsibilities resting upon their shoulders. Referees make sure the meet runs according to the rules and regulations of the governing body. However, it can be challenging to remember everything to check or do.
This list can help you remember everything to do.

Take to the Swim Meet


Equipment
  • Look around. Any safety concerns? Address.
  • Lane lines & visible lane #’s ok? Correct # of lanes?
  • Are Blocks ok?  
  • Are backstroke flags ok?
  • 15 M marked and visible on the deck?
  • Timing: Power supply ok? Is battery backup available? Sufficient watches?
  • Lap counters
Elephant Ears Recipe
Deep fried, crispy Elephant Ears topped with cinnamon sugar give you a taste of the fair at home and the no yeast fry bread recipe is super easy to make.
Ingredients
  • 2 cups self rising flour
  • 2/3 cup warm milk
  • 2 tbsp butter, melted
  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • 2 tbsp cinnamon sugar
Instructions
  1. Mix together the self-rising flour, warm milk, melted butter, and granulated sugar until a ball forms. If your dough is too dry, add a tiny bit of additional milk at a time. If your dough is too wet, add a tiny bit of self-rising flour at a time. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside for 15 minutes.
  2. Turn onto a floured surface and knead several times. Divide dough into 8 equal pieces. Flatten each piece into a thin circle.
  3. Heat about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a cast iron skillet, heavy pot or deep fryer to 365˚F (use a thermometer and maintain an even temperature).
  4. Use tongs to carefully add dough rounds (1 or 2 depending on the size of your pan or deep fryer) to the hot oil. Fry for about 1 minute on each side until golden brown.
  5. Drain on a paper towel lined plate. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar while warm.
The primary role of the official is to ensure fair competition which is conducted in a positive, safe and healthy environment and that actions of the competitors, coaches and other team personnel are in compliance with the rules.
The purpose and goals of the LISOA and its members shall be to:  
Officiate all meets in a competent and professional manner.
Have its members actively work to improve interscholastic swimming and diving officiating.
Provide a consistent interpretation and administration of interscholastic swimming and diving rules.
Service and collaborate with the swimming and diving community for the improvement of swimming and diving.
The official must establish the best possible competitive climate for fair competition with the attention on the athletes, rather than on the official. The conduct of each official affects the public’s attitude toward all officials. Therefore, every official must uphold the honor, integrity and dignity of the profession.
OUR OFFICERS
President:
George Fleckenstein
Vice President:
Nelson Gonzalez
Secretary:
Christine Duong
Treasurer:
Barbara Wendt
Directors:
Doug Virkus
Larry Wachter
Rules Interpreter:
Bob Kersch
Past President:
Frank Dowd
OUR CHARTER MEMBERS (1957)

Charlie Schlegal
George Columbo
Jim McAllister
Dick Atwater
Jack Reilly
Frank Krayer

NYSCSO Distinguished Service Award Members

Laurette Tekverk (2020)
Jim McAllister (2019)
Doug Virkus (2011)
Mush Masters (2008)
Pete Moeschen (2004)
Stan Adler (1993)
Bob Kersch (1990)


liswimofficials.com