Tag Archives: Officials Program

New Official – Rocky Morrison

by Al Myers

I always like it when we get a new certified official in the USAWA. Rocky Morrison of Frank’s Barbell Club just passed the certification process and is now an active Level 1 official. Rocky completed this entire process in under 1 month!  We have been criticized by some saying our officials certification is too difficult  and thus discouraging new officials. But Rocky has proved this NOT TO BE THE CASE as he completed the entire thing in under 30 days.

Now for a brief review on the officials certification process.  First you take an open book test covering the rules in the Rule Book. All questions have answers that can be found in the Rule Book.  You must score over 90% to pass.  The USAWA Official’s Director Joe Garcia grades the test and the test must be sent to him. This is step one. You can retake it as many times as needed.  Once you pass Joe lets me know and I list you as an USAWA Official in Training.

Step two involves successfully completing 3 training sessions at a sanctioned USAWA event. You must have a Level 2 official “sign off” that you were competent completing the session. A form is available on the website that must be completed fully and signed. You may have a different Level 2 Official for each session if you want – or have the same one for all 3 sessions. When completed send this form to Joe for verification and when it’s approved  he lets me know and I list you on the website as a Level 1 official!  That’s it!

Again – big congrats to Rocky for becoming a Certified Official in the USAWA!!!!

Mary McConnaughey New Official

by Al Myers

Mary McConnaughey lifted at the Dino Gym Challenge and also became certified as a new USAWA official.

Mary McConnaughey lifted at the Dino Gym Challenge and also became certified as a new USAWA official.

This past weekend at the Dino Gym Challenge Mary McConnaughey completed her third practical official’s exam and became a certified official in the USAWA.  She is now a Level 1 USAWA certified official.  Mary is a great addition to our official’s crew!  Congrats Mary!!

Eric Todd Lifetime Certification

by Al Myers

Eric Todd becomes a Level 2 USAWA Official at York Barbell.

Eric Todd becomes a Level 2 USAWA Official at York Barbell.

Eric Todd has just earned his Lifetime Certification as an USAWA Official by completing his 25th officiating duty at the 2015 USAWA National Championships.  This now makes Eric a Level 2 Official (highest officiating rank) in the USAWA.  Eric now joins 13 other Level 2 officials in our organization!  Congrats to Eric for this great accomplishment in the USAWA!

Ruth Jackson new USAWA Official

by Al Myers

Congrats to Ruth Jackson for becoming the latest new USAWA Official.  RJ was the first one to undergo the more strenuous requirements to become an official.   A couple of years ago the USAWA began requiring practical training after passing the written rules test in order to become a certified official. Ruth just completed her practical training at the USAWA Grip Championships/Dino Gym Record Day earlier this month.  She is now listed on the Official’s List, and will receive a 3 year officials card.

Scott Schmidt – New LEVEL 2 OFFICIAL

by Al Myers

Bob Geib lifting under the watch of 3 Level 2 USAWA Officials at the 2013 USAWA National Championships: Chad Ullom (left), Scott Schmidt (center), and Joe Ciavattone (right).

It’s always exciting news when a new USAWA certified official reaches LEVEL 2 officiating status.  Congratulations goes to Scott Schmidt for becoming the most recent Level 2 official.   Scott went about reaching Level 2 status in an unorthodox manner.  Let me explain.

The typical process of becoming a USAWA official involves taking the Rule Test first.  This consists of an open book exam of 100 questions covering the rules in the USAWA Rulebook.  There is no time limit for taking the test, and to pass it you must score over 90%.  After passing the Rules Test, an aspiring official must then perform the Practical Training Sessions, which consists of attending 3 meets and judging alongside a Level 2 official. After this has been completed successfully,  a person becomes a Level 1 Test Qualified Official.  The “other” category of Level 1 officials is the Level 1 Experience Qualified.  This was created to allow those very experienced USAWA officials to be “grandfathered in” as officials when the USAWA Officials Program began in 2009.  To be eligible to become a Level 1 Experience Qualified Official, one must have officiated in over 25 prior USAWA competitions and/or events.  Once a Level 1 Test Qualified official has officiated over 25 competitions they can apply for Level 2 status.

Scott has been an official in the USAWA for over 20 years.  He has officiated 100’s of events, and often serves as the head official in big competitions.  He spent 2 days sitting in the HEAD CHAIR at this past National Championships, and is regarded as one of the best officials in the USAWA by the lifters.  He was formally listed as a Level 1 Experience Official, and now since he has passed the USAWA Rules Test, he has “officially” joined the Level 2 group of elite USAWA officials.  Since Scott grandfathered in, he went about this entire process in reverse order by taking the rules test last!  I have hoped that all of the Level 1 Experience Qualified officials would take the rules test and become Level 2 officials to show support to the USAWA Officials Program.   It is next to impossible to become a Level 2 Experience Qualified official now as the initial grant of  Certified Official status without taking the rules test is not allowed anymore.

Again, Congrats to Scott!

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