Get Ready for Fall 2024
From: "Rich Kollen" - dayofgame@icloud.com
Subject: SCCFOA
Date: Friday, October 13, 2023
I attended Long Beach City College’s game at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium. Driving into the parking lot, I noticed many pop-up tents and activities. It was homecoming. When I walked into the stadium, there were over 70 people in white quarter-zip sweaters with the insignia Long Beach City College Alumni Band. It was so impressive. I talked to them and found out it would be their last performance. The group started in the mid 60’s under legendary marching band director, Ron Logan. Ron was at LBCC for ten years before moving to Disney, where he later became director of the entertainment division. He started his education at East LA College. I asked them why this was the end, and they said their ages range from 68 to mid-80s, and they’re tired. Their halftime performance was exhilarating. Even flag girls came dressed in the original Long Beach City College uniforms. It’s always sad to see a tradition like this go away. Speaking of bands, I believe that the only one in California community college that still exists is the Riverside City College Marching Band. They perform an amazing halftime show at every RCC home game.
Late in a game, the offensive team tried a 26-yard field goal on third down. The kick was blocked and went out of bounds without crossing the neutral zone. The officiating crew incorrectly placed the ball at the out of bounds spot, fourth down for the kicking team. By rule, if a scrimmage kick goes out of bounds between the goal lines, or comes to rest without any player attempting to secure it, it belongs to the receiving team at the dead-ball spot. (Rule 6-3-7) If the field goal attempt crosses the neutral zone, untouched by the defense, the ball belongs to the defense at the previous spot, if outside the 20-yard line. If it’s inside the 20, the ball is next snapped at the 20-yard line. (Rule 8-4-2-b-1) I have never seen this happen before, but that is why we have strange questions on tests. Now, if the ball had been blocked and recovered by the kicking team inbounds behind the neutral zone, and they did not reach the line to gain, it would then bring up fourth down.
I see many of the pictures that officials take on the field before a game. It’s great to see crew camaraderie. I have noticed, however, that too many officials do not care about the length and fit of their pants. Take some pride in your appearance and get your pants altered, if necessary. Referees, I have noticed that many of you are not giving a preliminary signal when a foul is called. I think, without a signal, the announcers, coaches and fans are in limbo about the ruling on the field. Without a signal, officials lose credibility with coaches and fans. In addition, any delay enforcing penalties, regardless of whether the call is correct or not, causes a loss of confidence with officials. Please continue to work to speed up this process. Accuracy first, but let’s be expeditious.
Many of our new scoreboards and play clocks are using Wi-Fi, which saves money since there is no hard wire trenching required. At times, however, there appear to be hiccups with displays flickering. I understand this is a common problem, and I have been assured it does not cause any loss in time and will always correct itself.
Many of our games are being streamed on YouTube. This video is similar to a TV broadcast and officials are now watching it for training. The commissioner can also use it to view concerns from coaches.
Remember, the playing time of remaining periods may be shortened by the mutual agreement of the opposing head coaches and the Referee. (Rule 3-2-2-a) NCAA rules do NOT permit a running clock in any circumstance.
We had a crew that stayed on the field during halftime. I don’t know if the lack of dressing facilities was the issue, but please get off the field and find a place out of view of the spectators. Halftime should be spent doing more than relaxing. You should be discussing any plays and talking about any fouls or situations that arose. We don’t want that to happen in front of spectators.
We had a situation last week in which the visiting team correctly wore white jerseys, but the home team had light gray jerseys. By rule, players of opposing teams shall wear jerseys of contrasting colors. (Rule 1-4-5-b-1) The home team MAY wear white jerseys, but only if the teams agree in writing before the season. (Rule 1-4-5-b-2) The visiting team agreed to play the game, but there were occasions when it was difficult to distinguish between home/visitors when reviewing the video. In the future, coaches, please make sure the home team wears a dark-color jersey. Let’s make sure they are contrasting colors so there is no confusion.
For many years, the team box was between the 25-yard lines. Due to COVID, and the need to spread out, the rules committee changed it to the 20-yard lines, and it has stayed that way. (Rule 1-2-4-a) Unfortunately, many of our fields are now marked incorrectly. Officials, please remember that the team box extends to the 20-yard lines, even if the white area ends on the 25- yard lines on many fields.
I was asked recently about compensation for football officials working at the college level. FBS Power 5 conferences are now paying approximately $4,000 a game. FBS Group of 5 conferences are paying around $2,800 a game. FCS conferences range in pay from about $1,000 to $1,550. Division II pays about $350. Division III pays about $190. NAIA pays about $300. Community college are currently paying $195 for a Referee and $175 for the other six officials. High school officials are paid $120 per game in the CIF.
As always, thank you for all you do for this great game and the student-athletes. Safe travels! “Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.” – Will Rogers
Rich Kollen
Director of Football Operations
Subject: SCCFOA
Date: Friday, October 13, 2023
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
2023 WEEKLY BULLETIN #7I attended Long Beach City College’s game at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium. Driving into the parking lot, I noticed many pop-up tents and activities. It was homecoming. When I walked into the stadium, there were over 70 people in white quarter-zip sweaters with the insignia Long Beach City College Alumni Band. It was so impressive. I talked to them and found out it would be their last performance. The group started in the mid 60’s under legendary marching band director, Ron Logan. Ron was at LBCC for ten years before moving to Disney, where he later became director of the entertainment division. He started his education at East LA College. I asked them why this was the end, and they said their ages range from 68 to mid-80s, and they’re tired. Their halftime performance was exhilarating. Even flag girls came dressed in the original Long Beach City College uniforms. It’s always sad to see a tradition like this go away. Speaking of bands, I believe that the only one in California community college that still exists is the Riverside City College Marching Band. They perform an amazing halftime show at every RCC home game.
Late in a game, the offensive team tried a 26-yard field goal on third down. The kick was blocked and went out of bounds without crossing the neutral zone. The officiating crew incorrectly placed the ball at the out of bounds spot, fourth down for the kicking team. By rule, if a scrimmage kick goes out of bounds between the goal lines, or comes to rest without any player attempting to secure it, it belongs to the receiving team at the dead-ball spot. (Rule 6-3-7) If the field goal attempt crosses the neutral zone, untouched by the defense, the ball belongs to the defense at the previous spot, if outside the 20-yard line. If it’s inside the 20, the ball is next snapped at the 20-yard line. (Rule 8-4-2-b-1) I have never seen this happen before, but that is why we have strange questions on tests. Now, if the ball had been blocked and recovered by the kicking team inbounds behind the neutral zone, and they did not reach the line to gain, it would then bring up fourth down.
I see many of the pictures that officials take on the field before a game. It’s great to see crew camaraderie. I have noticed, however, that too many officials do not care about the length and fit of their pants. Take some pride in your appearance and get your pants altered, if necessary. Referees, I have noticed that many of you are not giving a preliminary signal when a foul is called. I think, without a signal, the announcers, coaches and fans are in limbo about the ruling on the field. Without a signal, officials lose credibility with coaches and fans. In addition, any delay enforcing penalties, regardless of whether the call is correct or not, causes a loss of confidence with officials. Please continue to work to speed up this process. Accuracy first, but let’s be expeditious.
Many of our new scoreboards and play clocks are using Wi-Fi, which saves money since there is no hard wire trenching required. At times, however, there appear to be hiccups with displays flickering. I understand this is a common problem, and I have been assured it does not cause any loss in time and will always correct itself.
Many of our games are being streamed on YouTube. This video is similar to a TV broadcast and officials are now watching it for training. The commissioner can also use it to view concerns from coaches.
Remember, the playing time of remaining periods may be shortened by the mutual agreement of the opposing head coaches and the Referee. (Rule 3-2-2-a) NCAA rules do NOT permit a running clock in any circumstance.
We had a crew that stayed on the field during halftime. I don’t know if the lack of dressing facilities was the issue, but please get off the field and find a place out of view of the spectators. Halftime should be spent doing more than relaxing. You should be discussing any plays and talking about any fouls or situations that arose. We don’t want that to happen in front of spectators.
We had a situation last week in which the visiting team correctly wore white jerseys, but the home team had light gray jerseys. By rule, players of opposing teams shall wear jerseys of contrasting colors. (Rule 1-4-5-b-1) The home team MAY wear white jerseys, but only if the teams agree in writing before the season. (Rule 1-4-5-b-2) The visiting team agreed to play the game, but there were occasions when it was difficult to distinguish between home/visitors when reviewing the video. In the future, coaches, please make sure the home team wears a dark-color jersey. Let’s make sure they are contrasting colors so there is no confusion.
For many years, the team box was between the 25-yard lines. Due to COVID, and the need to spread out, the rules committee changed it to the 20-yard lines, and it has stayed that way. (Rule 1-2-4-a) Unfortunately, many of our fields are now marked incorrectly. Officials, please remember that the team box extends to the 20-yard lines, even if the white area ends on the 25- yard lines on many fields.
I was asked recently about compensation for football officials working at the college level. FBS Power 5 conferences are now paying approximately $4,000 a game. FBS Group of 5 conferences are paying around $2,800 a game. FCS conferences range in pay from about $1,000 to $1,550. Division II pays about $350. Division III pays about $190. NAIA pays about $300. Community college are currently paying $195 for a Referee and $175 for the other six officials. High school officials are paid $120 per game in the CIF.
As always, thank you for all you do for this great game and the student-athletes. Safe travels! “Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.” – Will Rogers
Rich Kollen
Director of Football Operations