Our Hockey Referees

OFFICIALS CODE OF CONDUCT

As officials for the "Berrien Area Hockey Association" through our local referee association "Sunset Coast Referee Association (SCRA)" and our affliation with USA Hockey officiating standards, it is our mission to adhere to the following code of conduct as recommended by USA Hockey:

• Act in a professional and businesslike manner at all times.
• Strive to provide a safe and sportsmanlike environment in which players can properly display their hockey skills. 
• Know all the playing rules, their interpretations and their proper application.
• Understand that Officials are teachers and implement this philosophy on the ice.
• Make all calls with quiet confidence, never arrogance.
• Control games only to the extent that is necessary to provide a positive and safe expierence for all participants.
• Never tolerate violence
• Be fair and impartial at all times.
• Answer all reasonable questions and requests.
• Adopt a "Zero Tolerance" attitude toward verbal or physical abuse.
• Never use foul or vulgar language when speaking with a player, coach or parent.
• Use honesty and integrity when answering questions.
• Admit your mistakes and learn from them.

All BAHA officials are governing members of a local officials association called "Sunset Coast Referee Association (SCRA).  The referee association is affliated and governed by USA Hockey playing and rules standards requiring that each official be registered and certified each year to a specific skill level thru USA Hockey testing and certification programs.  The local association will conduct official evaluations througout the year to USA Hockey evaluation standards. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

1. Referee Certification for 2007-2008 Season - In order to officiate USA Hockey sanctioned games you are required to register and complete referee certification thru USA Hockey's officiating program.  Registration and certification can be performed online thru USA Hockey website (usahockey.com) by following the officiating icons in their home page.  A short description of the process is as follows:

• Registration - Register as an official at USA Hockey website.com/officials (cost will vary from $25 to $75 depending on certification level).

• Attend Sanctioned Seminar - In order to be certified you must attend a USA Hockey sanctioned seminar.  The schedule for the seminars can be found on USA Hockey website.  For Michigan the southwest area is District 6.  The seminar nearest to St Joseph is at Kalamazoo Wings stadium on Sunday September 16th at 8:30 am to 4:00 pm in the afternoon for levels 1, 2 and 3.  The cost of the seminar is $10 and must be paid online at USA Hockey website when registering.  If this seminar can not be attended, there are other seminars throughout Michigan and Indiana (in Jackson, Grand Rapids, South Bend, and Ann Arbor etc.) that may work better for your schedule.  Check USA Hockey's seminar schedule for a complete list of times and places.

• Complete Open book and Closed Book Tests - In order to get certified the offical must pass an open book test and a closed book test, specific to the level being attained.  The open book test is performed online on USA Hockey's website.  It will range from 50 to 100 questions (depending on level) and a 90% score must be achieved to pass.  The rules and officiating manuals can be used while taking this test online.  The closed book test will be given at the end of each seminar for levels 2 and up.  You must also achieve a 90% score to pass this test.

• Certification - With the passing of the Open Book Test, Closed Book test, attending a seminar and registering with USA Hockey as an official, you will be given an officiating certification for the next year consisting of a crest (worn on the jersey) and officals card specifying your member number and the level attained.

If you have any questions or would like to become a hockey referee please contact Brian Kietzerow, Ian Cameron or Tom Buckley.  We can be contacted throught the BAHA contact email address along with the name of the person you are addressing the email to.

AskTheRef@bahablades.com

COMING SOON 

1. Weekly Message Board - This will be an area where weekly messages will be displayed pertaining to hockey referees such as, substitutes needed, accolades, meeting notices, suggestions etc.

2. Referee Information - Password Protected Referee Information.

3. "Ask The Official" - This will allow anyone to ask a specific question as it relates to hockey rules, procedures, etc. and each week the answers to these questions will be posted in the referee section of the BAHA website.

4. Officials standard forms - Will be posted on the website including the following:

 - Incident Report Form.

 - Referee Evaluation Forms.

5. Educational Material - Links to USA Hockey officals educational material will be added to allow officials to access material to foster a continuous improvement environment for referee skills, procedures and rules knowledge.

If anyone has any suggestions for additions to the BAHA referee section on the website please let us know.





Contact Us:  AskTheRef@bahablades.com