Conflict of Interest

At the beginning of the season, you are required to let the assignors know if there is a date or dates that you are not available to work because of previous commitments. On the same paper, you should list schools that you should not officiate because it would be perceived as a conflict of interest.

What is perceived as a conflict of interest?  A perceived conflict of interest is anything that could be perceived as any reason that you, as an official, made a call during the game that affected the outcome of that game.  Examples of conflict of interest:

1.     Your child attends that school.

2.     Your spouse or relative is employed at that school.

3.     Your relative, though not an actual employee of the district, coaches at that school.

4.     Your daughter is dating a football player on the team at that school.

5.     You are an employee at the school.

6.     You are good friends with the head coach or one of the assistant coaches at the school.

7.     You do not get along with the head coach or one of the assistant coaches at the school.

8.     Any other situation that you are aware of that could be perceived as a conflict of interest

In the paragraphs above, the word perceived has always been underlined.  I do believe that a number of officials could be fair and objective in most situations listed above. But you will never be able to convince the fans in the stands, the administration, the media, and the opposing coaches that the call you made was correct in the game and that you were not influenced by one of the items listed above.  You then put our association into the media asking why, when we have 180 officials, did we send you to officiate that game.  There is no justifiable answer.