KFDM COOP

Yes.

Decided to start a thread on West Hardin Football for 07 since it was being talked about in the HD thread. The Oilers have 10 starters back. Predictions?

Bullpin!

Interesting article on ref/ump pay ... Refs blow whistle on pay structure 10:38 AM CDT on Wednesday, June 20, 2007 By KEITH WHITMIRE / The Dallas Morning News [email protected] For toiling in the heat, cold, wind and dust while umpiring high school softball games, Plano's Gary Tolle gets paid $35 a game plus mileage. "I don't think the average fan has any clue what the average official is getting paid," Tolle said. "And if they did, they'd question their sanity." Fees for high school game officials and umpires, and how those fees are negotiated, have become a point of contention for the state's athletic directors. A recent UIL athletic committee meeting brought the issue to the forefront. Officials say it's time for a raise, even a small one. Athletic directors have bristled at some local chapters' attempts to negotiate higher fees. They also want the UIL to further standardize the way officials are paid and reimbursed for travel and meals. Like many officials, Tolle, who has umpired softball for nine years, calls games to supplement a full-time job. Tolle designs layouts for Army and Air Force PXs (goods stores found on military posts). "Like any other businessman, I would like to make more money," Tolle said. "The thing that concerns me the most is, whether it's club ball or school ball, the money's got to come from somewhere. Are you going to run the well dry?" Athletic directors at the June 12 meeting of the UIL's athletics committee said some officials' chapters had made pay demands that, if not met, could result in less-qualified or fewer officials working their games. "It's evolved into ... almost like a labor-management situation," Grand Prairie ISD athletic director Fred Clausen said. Clausen is the president-elect of the Texas High School Athletic Directors Association. "We want the UIL to sit down there, hammer it out, and get something everyone agrees on." The rules The UIL does have rules for the payment of officials. Section 1204 of its Constitution and Contest Rules is designed to avoid negotiations by serving as a default agreement – anything above and beyond it is technically in violation of UIL policy. Most of the game fees established in 1204 are based on gate receipts, a formula that works well for football. In most other sports, school districts will negotiate a flat per-game fee with local officiating chapters. The UIL allows schools to pay mileage for one car, with a maximum of two cars if the school district gives prior consent. That doesn't work well if a five-man crew working a football game in Dallas has officials who live all over the area. The UIL allows for meals and other expenses to be reimbursed if the schools agree to it. Because school districts can go beyond UIL minimums if they choose to, it opens the door for negotiations. Clausen said Region III of the athletic directors' association, which includes Dallas-Fort Worth, has had to take action to avoid members outbidding each other for services. Mansfield ISD athletic director Debbie Weems said she has gotten reports from coaches where officials have made insinuations about pay. "They've made comments that the reason you don't get either the number or the quality is because your district doesn't pay," Weems said. "But when that was brought to my attention, I addressed that with that particular chapter and that was taken care of, because that's not right." Steven Ellinger, executive director of the Texas Association of Sports Officials, the umbrella organization for the state's officiating associations, said he has had to remind some chapters that school districts don't have to negotiate because they are bound by UIL rules. Ellinger noted that officials are independent contractors who can refuse game assignments on an individual basis, but they must abide by the fees agreed upon by their chapters. "For chapters to go back to the schools and say, 'If you don't pay this, we're not going to work,' goes against what we're trying to do," Ellinger said. The asking price Ellinger hopes to get a $5 per-game pay increase for officials. The last pay increase for officials was three years ago. By rule, the UIL must review officials' pay every three years. No one seems to think officials are overpaid but, unless the UIL raises the rates, it's difficult for athletic directors to justify any increase when budgets are already tight. Dallas ISD officials estimate they spend $200,000 a year on officials for competition from junior high to varsity. "It doesn't sound like much when you tell the public, but five dollars adds up to 30 or 40 thousand in a hurry," Grand Prairie's Clausen said. "They probably deserve it, but I can't go to my superintendent and ask for an increase in my budget because an officials association raised the rate. The UIL has to raise the rate." According to the UIL's pay scale, a football official earns a minimum of $40 per game. The fee rises depending upon gross gate receipts. It's not uncommon for a football offical to earn $80 to $100 per game. Based on a fee schedule on the Web site of the Dallas Baseball Umpires Association, baseball umpires earn $40 a game plus a travel reimbursement of $14 to $17. According to an official with the Dallas Metroplex Softball Umpires Association, softball umps earn $35 a game plus mileage. In basketball, some school districts pay a flat rate, perhaps $50 to $60 a game, while others use the UIL's fee scale based on gate receipts. Paying based on the gate can lead to contention from the officials' point of view. "It comes up when a guy would go into a jam-packed gym and they get a [minimum] check for $65," said Perry Daniels, president of the Dallas Basketball Officials Association. "We just have to trust the person that's doing the accounting for the school that they're doing the correct deal." Weems and other athletic directors contend that a full stadium or gym is often populated with people who get in free, such as school district employees. "You can't look up in the stands in our school district and determine how much money we have from the gate," Weems said. UIL to take a look Because of the issues raised at the UIL's athletic committee meeting, the UIL's staff will study officials' pay and report to the Legislative Council in October. "It's an issue and concern that will always be there, quite frankly, because we've never been able to pay them what they need and deserve, but it doesn't mean they aren't appreciated," UIL athletic coordinator Peter Contreras said. Contreras, who moonlights as a college basketball official, said besides recommending a raise, a simplification of some of the fees and policies would benefit officials and school districts. "I think every effort will be made to make some adjustments to 1204 to help those guys [officials] from a financial standpoint," Contreras said. UIL PAY STRUCTURE FOR OFFICIALS Excerpts from Section 1204 of the UIL's Constitution and Contest Rules: FOOTBALL Gross gate receipts 1 game's pay Up to $150 $40 $150-$250 $45 $250-$500 $50 $500-$1,000 $55 $1,000-$2,000 $60 $2,000-$3,000 $65 $3,000-$4,000 $70 $4,000-$5,000 $75 $5,000-$7,500 $80 $7,500-$10,000 $85 $10,000-$12,500 $90 $12,500-$15,000 $100 $15,000-$17,500 $110 $17,500-$20,500 $120 Each additional $5,000: additional $20 BASKETBALL Two-person crew: varsity Gross gate receipts 1 game 2 games Up to $150 $35 $60 $150-$300 $45 $70 $300-$500 $60 $85 $500-$700 $65 $90 $700-$1,000 $70 $100 $1,000-$1,500 $80 $110 $1,500-$2,000 $90 $120 Each additional $1,000: additional $20 Three-person crew: varsity Gross gate receipts 1 game 2 games Up to $150 $30 $50 $150-$300 $40 $60 $300-$500 $45 $65 $500-$700 $50 $70 $700-$1,000 $55 $75 $1,000-$1,500 $65 $85 $1,500-$2,000 $75 $95 Each additional $1,000: additional $20 WHAT THE UIL ALLOWS MAXIMUM MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT • Officials should be paid round trip from official's home to the site of the game or scrimmage. • Officials shall be paid state mileage reimbursement for one car for travel over 20 miles round trip. • State mileage reimbursement per car, maximum two cars from the same chapter, could be paid by prior consent of the school. • When officials come from different chapters, one car from each chapter may receive state mileage reimbursement round trip mileage. OTHER ALLOWABLE EXPENSES • Meals – If there is previous agreement between officials and schools, schools may pay up to $30 per day for meals. Recommended: breakfast $8; lunch $10; evening meal $12. • Lodging – By agreement by the officials and schools, schools may pay lodging. • Ground transportation – If prior agreement exists, schools may pay taxi fare, etc., for officials. LIMITATION – No other item shall be included in payment of officials.

Interesting article on ref/ump pay ... Refs blow whistle on pay structure 10:38 AM CDT on Wednesday, June 20, 2007 By KEITH WHITMIRE / The Dallas Morning News [email protected] For toiling in the heat, cold, wind and dust while umpiring high school softball games, Plano's Gary Tolle gets paid $35 a game plus mileage. "I don't think the average fan has any clue what the average official is getting paid," Tolle said. "And if they did, they'd question their sanity." Fees for high school game officials and umpires, and how those fees are negotiated, have become a point of contention for the state's athletic directors. A recent UIL athletic committee meeting brought the issue to the forefront. Officials say it's time for a raise, even a small one. Athletic directors have bristled at some local chapters' attempts to negotiate higher fees. They also want the UIL to further standardize the way officials are paid and reimbursed for travel and meals. Like many officials, Tolle, who has umpired softball for nine years, calls games to supplement a full-time job. Tolle designs layouts for Army and Air Force PXs (goods stores found on military posts). "Like any other businessman, I would like to make more money," Tolle said. "The thing that concerns me the most is, whether it's club ball or school ball, the money's got to come from somewhere. Are you going to run the well dry?" Athletic directors at the June 12 meeting of the UIL's athletics committee said some officials' chapters had made pay demands that, if not met, could result in less-qualified or fewer officials working their games. "It's evolved into ... almost like a labor-management situation," Grand Prairie ISD athletic director Fred Clausen said. Clausen is the president-elect of the Texas High School Athletic Directors Association. "We want the UIL to sit down there, hammer it out, and get something everyone agrees on." The rules The UIL does have rules for the payment of officials. Section 1204 of its Constitution and Contest Rules is designed to avoid negotiations by serving as a default agreement – anything above and beyond it is technically in violation of UIL policy. Most of the game fees established in 1204 are based on gate receipts, a formula that works well for football. In most other sports, school districts will negotiate a flat per-game fee with local officiating chapters. The UIL allows schools to pay mileage for one car, with a maximum of two cars if the school district gives prior consent. That doesn't work well if a five-man crew working a football game in Dallas has officials who live all over the area. The UIL allows for meals and other expenses to be reimbursed if the schools agree to it. Because school districts can go beyond UIL minimums if they choose to, it opens the door for negotiations. Clausen said Region III of the athletic directors' association, which includes Dallas-Fort Worth, has had to take action to avoid members outbidding each other for services. Mansfield ISD athletic director Debbie Weems said she has gotten reports from coaches where officials have made insinuations about pay. "They've made comments that the reason you don't get either the number or the quality is because your district doesn't pay," Weems said. "But when that was brought to my attention, I addressed that with that particular chapter and that was taken care of, because that's not right." Steven Ellinger, executive director of the Texas Association of Sports Officials, the umbrella organization for the state's officiating associations, said he has had to remind some chapters that school districts don't have to negotiate because they are bound by UIL rules. Ellinger noted that officials are independent contractors who can refuse game assignments on an individual basis, but they must abide by the fees agreed upon by their chapters. "For chapters to go back to the schools and say, 'If you don't pay this, we're not going to work,' goes against what we're trying to do," Ellinger said. The asking price Ellinger hopes to get a $5 per-game pay increase for officials. The last pay increase for officials was three years ago. By rule, the UIL must review officials' pay every three years. No one seems to think officials are overpaid but, unless the UIL raises the rates, it's difficult for athletic directors to justify any increase when budgets are already tight. Dallas ISD officials estimate they spend $200,000 a year on officials for competition from junior high to varsity. "It doesn't sound like much when you tell the public, but five dollars adds up to 30 or 40 thousand in a hurry," Grand Prairie's Clausen said. "They probably deserve it, but I can't go to my superintendent and ask for an increase in my budget because an officials association raised the rate. The UIL has to raise the rate." According to the UIL's pay scale, a football official earns a minimum of $40 per game. The fee rises depending upon gross gate receipts. It's not uncommon for a football offical to earn $80 to $100 per game. Based on a fee schedule on the Web site of the Dallas Baseball Umpires Association, baseball umpires earn $40 a game plus a travel reimbursement of $14 to $17. According to an official with the Dallas Metroplex Softball Umpires Association, softball umps earn $35 a game plus mileage. In basketball, some school districts pay a flat rate, perhaps $50 to $60 a game, while others use the UIL's fee scale based on gate receipts. Paying based on the gate can lead to contention from the officials' point of view. "It comes up when a guy would go into a jam-packed gym and they get a [minimum] check for $65," said Perry Daniels, president of the Dallas Basketball Officials Association. "We just have to trust the person that's doing the accounting for the school that they're doing the correct deal." Weems and other athletic directors contend that a full stadium or gym is often populated with people who get in free, such as school district employees. "You can't look up in the stands in our school district and determine how much money we have from the gate," Weems said. UIL to take a look Because of the issues raised at the UIL's athletic committee meeting, the UIL's staff will study officials' pay and report to the Legislative Council in October. "It's an issue and concern that will always be there, quite frankly, because we've never been able to pay them what they need and deserve, but it doesn't mean they aren't appreciated," UIL athletic coordinator Peter Contreras said. Contreras, who moonlights as a college basketball official, said besides recommending a raise, a simplification of some of the fees and policies would benefit officials and school districts. "I think every effort will be made to make some adjustments to 1204 to help those guys [officials] from a financial standpoint," Contreras said. UIL PAY STRUCTURE FOR OFFICIALS Excerpts from Section 1204 of the UIL's Constitution and Contest Rules: FOOTBALL Gross gate receipts 1 game's pay Up to $150 $40 $150-$250 $45 $250-$500 $50 $500-$1,000 $55 $1,000-$2,000 $60 $2,000-$3,000 $65 $3,000-$4,000 $70 $4,000-$5,000 $75 $5,000-$7,500 $80 $7,500-$10,000 $85 $10,000-$12,500 $90 $12,500-$15,000 $100 $15,000-$17,500 $110 $17,500-$20,500 $120 Each additional $5,000: additional $20 BASKETBALL Two-person crew: varsity Gross gate receipts 1 game 2 games Up to $150 $35 $60 $150-$300 $45 $70 $300-$500 $60 $85 $500-$700 $65 $90 $700-$1,000 $70 $100 $1,000-$1,500 $80 $110 $1,500-$2,000 $90 $120 Each additional $1,000: additional $20 Three-person crew: varsity Gross gate receipts 1 game 2 games Up to $150 $30 $50 $150-$300 $40 $60 $300-$500 $45 $65 $500-$700 $50 $70 $700-$1,000 $55 $75 $1,000-$1,500 $65 $85 $1,500-$2,000 $75 $95 Each additional $1,000: additional $20 WHAT THE UIL ALLOWS MAXIMUM MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT • Officials should be paid round trip from official's home to the site of the game or scrimmage. • Officials shall be paid state mileage reimbursement for one car for travel over 20 miles round trip. • State mileage reimbursement per car, maximum two cars from the same chapter, could be paid by prior consent of the school. • When officials come from different chapters, one car from each chapter may receive state mileage reimbursement round trip mileage. OTHER ALLOWABLE EXPENSES • Meals – If there is previous agreement between officials and schools, schools may pay up to $30 per day for meals. Recommended: breakfast $8; lunch $10; evening meal $12. • Lodging – By agreement by the officials and schools, schools may pay lodging. • Ground transportation – If prior agreement exists, schools may pay taxi fare, etc., for officials. LIMITATION – No other item shall be included in payment of officials.

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Slack from Hardin.

Cardinal Suppoter...Check your PM.

kogt Tuesday night the BC 9 yr old All-Stars defeated Groves National 7-5 in extra innings to win the District Championship. BC won having to play an extra inning 7-5. Bottom (L-R): Griffin Patterson #00, Matthew Watkins #34, Logan New #3, Blake Lane #44, Caleb Hussey #1, Blake Koons #8, Derick Dearing #2. Middle (L-R): Josh Chandler #5, Kane Booth #24, Tyler Bouget #10, Tanner Doiron #6, Camden DuBois #4. Top: Coach Jeff Lane, Manager Rick Dearing and Coach Beaver DuBois.

Yes/Yes

Good point! Brooks brought Tyler Lee from 1-9 to 9-1 in one year. It may take him some time sure, no doubt. This district is very tough to predict this year. Kirbyville has everyone back and other teams are young and lost quite a bit. Silsbee has 9 players back and could easily make the playoffs as well.

Thursday i think.

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Tyler Lee SQT For Saturday Pool A Rockwall* John Tyler Marshall Lindale Pool B South Garland Whitehouse Jacksonville Beaumont Central Pool C Sulphur Springs Forney Elysian Fields Longview Pine Tree Pool D Arl. Lamar* Tyler Lee Belton Palestine Westwood

Lufkin SQT For Saturday... POOL A Lufkin Chavez Sam Houston Houston WEstbury POOL B Troup Crockett Lumberton Nacogdoches POOL C Klein Conroe Memorial Huntsville POOL D Carthage College Park Montgomery

4:30..Thursday

WOS, BC is all i know as of now. I'm sure a couple more will play.

Barbay would have to be a favorite for this position.

Thursday 4:30 PM at Bridge City..

OSU's Lighty pleads guilty, fined $250 for BB gun incident CLEVELAND -- Ohio State basketball player David Lighty pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge and was fined $250 in a case involving a jogger who was shot with a BB gun last year. Two of Lighty's former teammates at Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School in Cleveland also entered pleas in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas on Tuesday. Jimmy McLeod and Darryl Rushton each were fined $100 after pleading guilty to disorderly conduct, a minor misdemeanor. James Nugent, 55, was not seriously hurt last June when he was hit in the back by at least one plastic BB while jogging on the high school track. In Cleveland, BB and pellet guns are considered firearms and it is illegal to have them in public places. Nugent said Tuesday he had forgiven the 19-year-old defendants and thought the sentences handed down by Judge Kenneth Callahan were fair. After he was sentenced, Lighty shook Nugent's hand. Lighty told the judge he wanted to apologize "to Mr. Nugent, to my family, my community and my school." Lighty started seven games last season for the Buckeyes, who set a school record for victories at 35-4. Ohio State reached the national championship game before losing to defending champion Florida. Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

June 19, 2007 By Wes Skipwith, Texas Tech Athletic Media Relations Former Texas Tech track star Jonathan Johnson is quickly becoming America's next hope for a medal in the 800m at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Johnson ran track for the Red Raiders from 2002-2005. During his time in Lubbock, the Abilene native established himself as the greatest male track athlete Tech has ever known. He was named All-American nine times and received 16 all-conference awards including four Big 12 Championships. In 2004, Johnson became Tech's only male national champion and, after finishing first in the 800m at the Olympic Trials with a personal and school record of 1:44.77, he became Tech's only male Olympian. His time at the trials earned him a number one ranking in the United States by Track and Field News and was the fastest time by an American that year. He ended up finishing eighth in the semifinals at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. "The experience (at the Olympics) made me grow up real quickly," Johnson said. "You have the whole world looking at you. It's hard to express the actual feeling because it means so much because you are representing the whole U.S. and you're representing everything you ever worked for and ever stood for. For me, I represented my family, friends, school, my fans, and all of the people who always have been by my side. There are not any words that can explain the feeling of competing in the Olympics; you just have to experience it to understand." In 2005, he helped lead the Red Raiders to the Big 12 Outdoor Championship, the first track and field team title for Texas Tech. Johnson said all of his individual accomplishments he earned while at Texas Tech were very special to him but what he remembers the most was what his teammates and he accomplished. "If I had to pick the moment at Tech that meant the most to me, it would be winning the Big 12 championship as a team," he said. "To be a part of the first team Big 12 Championship it was just that more special to me because it was a team effort and that is what we always worked towards. When I first went to Tech, no body ever gave us a chance. But coaches, faculty and everyone around Tech loved and supported us. Now Texas Tech is on the national scene. For me to take part in that and be apart of Tech's history, it has meant a lot to me" In 2006, Johnson began his professional track career after signing with Team Reebok. In his first professional track season last year, he finished with a No. 5 ranking in the United States in the 800m by T&FN. Johnson is still with Team Reebok and currently resides near Orlando where he is training for the upcoming U.S. Outdoor Track and Field Championships in June. If he makes the national team there then he will go on to the World Championships in August. Johnson, who is currently ranked 46th in the world in the 800m, also hopes to crack the top 10 before the year is over. "I believe I can make the finals at the World Championships and I believe I can be in contention to win a medal. In order to move up in ranking, I have to get in the right races and face the right competition. That is my main goal this year." If Johnson can accomplish all of these goals then he will be in a good position when the 2008 Summer Olympics come around. He said his ultimate goal for his career would be to win a medal at the Olympics and everything he does is geared towards that. "That is something that hasn't been done in a while for an American in the 800m. For me to do that would be something special and I'm really going to work hard to do that. I'm definitely on the right track. I'm as focused as I have ever been. There are only three medalists at the Olympic Games, so that's three out of the whole world. I know that I have to take care of business and I have to do everything that I can right now and put the work in to be right where I want to be." Johnson is currently single and spends all most all of his free time in training. He said he still keeps in touch with his former Tech track coach Wes Kittley. "Me and Coach Kittley have a great relationship," Johnson said. "If there is anything that he can do for me he'll do it, if there is anything that I can do for him then I will do it. I talk to coach a lot and some time he'll give me advice on some things." Johnson said he wants to continue running professionally for as long as he can. He said if he keeps devoting all of his time to training and running, he sees himself only getting better from here on out. "As long as I'm happy doing this sport, as long as I'm injury free and as long as things are working in my favor, I see myself competing for a very long time," Johnson said. "I feel like I have another eight to 10 years. In my event, the older you get the stronger you get. I haven't really even reached my peak y

Jerrod Dugas (LCM) is transferring from Pan American to Angelina JC to play baseball.