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Directors of Officiating Development

OHSAA Directors of Officiating Development

The sports of Baseball, Football, Basketball, Field Hockey, Gymnastics, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Fast Pitch Softball, Swimming & Diving, Track & Field, Volleyball and Wrestling have an individual responsible for the training and education of those sports officials. The DOD assists with meeting topics, classes and virtually every aspect of officiating enhancement.

Baseball - Frank Grubb

Frank Grubb
A licensed OHSAA official since 1992 in the sports of football and baseball, Frank has served in many leadership roles of the Central Ohio Baseball Umpires Association over the past 25 year including   President, Secretary/Treasurer, and Board member. He was the NFHS Official of the Year in baseball for   the state of Ohio in 2015.  He was inducted into the OHSAA Officials Hall of Fame in 2022. Frank has   umpired in seven state tournaments and numerous regional tournaments.  He has been an instructor at   umpiring clinics both at the local level and at the state level since 1998.
Contact: Email: [email protected]
 
 
Bulletins:
2023: April 26
2018: March 5
2017: March 8 | April 4 | April 24
Resources:​
Clinics
Saturday, February 15, 2025 - 11:30-3:30 - Cleveland - St. Ignatius High School, 1911 West 30th Street, Cleveland Register here
Saturday, March 8, 2025 - 9:00-1:00 - Rossford High School, 28720 Lime City Rd, Perrysburg, OH 43551 Register here
Blue Book Communication
2-Man Mechanics - PDF, PowerPoint | 3-Man Mechanics - PDF, PowerPoint | 4-Man Mechanics - PDF, PowerPoint

Basketball - Denny Morris

Email: [email protected]
Bio Note: A 2009 inductee into the OHSAA’s Officials Hall of Fame. Has been an OHSAA basketball official since 1975 and a state rules interpreter since 2005. Worked OHSAA state championship games in 2002, 2005 and 2007 and has been an instructor at numerous OHSAA basketball officiating clinics as well as the Official’s First Conference in 2003, 2005 and 2007.
 
2022-23: Plays of the week: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 10 | Week 11

Field Hockey - Travis Burwell

Email: [email protected]
Bio Note: Born and raised in Columbus, Travis is currently employed by the Columbus Division of Fire. Travis began officiating at the age of 15, and is a nine-year field hockey and basketball official. Travis has received multiple regional and state tournament assignments in both sports, and also received the COFHOA official of the year award.
Bulletins: 

 

Football - Dr. Bruce Maurer

Email: [email protected]
Bio Note: Recently retired after 39 years as the Associate Director for Capital & Strategic Projects at The Ohio State University Department of Recreational Sports. Officiated high school, collegiate and professional football for 38 years, including 15 years in the NFL. Taught officiating courses at OSU for 33 years. Also officiated high school and collegiate basketball for 39 years and has served as the OHSAA's wrestling state tournament director for 31 years (was inducted into the Ohio High School Wrestling Officials Hall of Fame in 2008).
Officiating Gold Book
 
2022: 2022 OHSAA Football Official’s Clinic Invitation l PS#1  l PS#2 | Week 1  l   Week 2   l   Week 3   l  Week 4   l Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7  l  Week 8  | Week 9  | Week 11 | Week 12 |  Week 13 | Week 14 | Week 15 | Week 16
2021 Bulletins: PS #1  |  PS #2  |  PS #3  |  Week 1  |  Week 2  |  Week 3  |  Week 4  |  Week 5  |  Week 6  |  Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 11 | Week 12 |
2020 Bulletins: PS #1  |  PS #3  |  Week 1  |  Week 2  |  Week 3  |  Week 4  |  Week 5  |  Week 7  |  Week 9  |  Week 10  |  Week 11  |  Week 12  |
2019 Bulletins: Play Clock Bulletin | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3
Mechanics: Back Judge  |  Line Judge  |  Linesman  |  Referee  |  Umpire
For current weekly bulletins, new rulings, rule book interpretations please visit the OHSAA Football Officials website at www.ohsaafb.com.

Gymnastics - Lori Powers-Basinger

Email: [email protected] 
Bio Note: A 24-year OHSAA official who also served as president of the Advisory Committee to OHSAA for girls gymnastics for 8 years. Recipient of the OHSAA Service award for career contributions to high school gymnastics in Ohio. Former head coach at St. Francis DeSales High School (18 years) earning district and state coach of the year awards.  Coached many state qualifying teams and individuals- having 2 state runner-up team finishes and 10 state individual champions. A USA Gymnastics national rated judge who officiates all ages and levels of competition- from recreational to NCAA. Currently serves as the State Judging Director of Ohio for the National Association of Women’s Gymnastics Judges.

Ice Hockey - Gary Wilkins

Email: [email protected]
Bio Note: Brings 45 years of officiating experience at the USA Hockey, collegiate and high school level. Has been an Ohio high school official for 36 years (two years prior to the OHSAA conducting a state tournament). Has officiated 18 OHSAA State Final Playoffs. Is a member of the National Federation ice hockey rules committee, while also serving as an OHSAA officials assigner and rules interpreter.  Is an Assistant Commissioner with the Capital Hockey Conference and Director of the Columbus Ice Hockey Officials Association. 
 
 
 

Boys Lacrosse - Lee Spitzer

Email: [email protected]
Bio Note: Lee Spitzer has over 30 years of lacrosse officiating experience working youth, high school, NCAA and Major League Lacrosse games.  He is a US Lacrosse LAREDO Clinician and currently serves on the US Lacrosse Men’s Officials Training Group and Men’s Game Committee.  He is  the college assigner and rules interpreter for District 6.   The former head lacrosse and head wrestling coach at Upper Arlington High School, Lee is a member of the Ohio Lacrosse, Ohio Capital Conference and the Ohio High School Wrestling Halls of Fame.

Girls Lacrosse - Lissa Fickert

Email: [email protected]
Bio Note: Lissa Fickert is National umpire with over 30 years of experience at all levels, including over 20 state/regional HS finals, 10 WCLA championship finals, NCAA championships, and the U-17 Festival in Canada.  She is a national clinician, has presented at the USL convention, served as a Region Chair, Board Chair, trainer, and rules interpreter in the Great Lakes Region, and is a member of the Ohio Lacrosse Hall of Fame. She currently sits on the US Lacrosse Women’s Game Committee and is the Chair of the USL Rules Committee. She is a Master Trainer for the Collegiate Women’s Lacrosse Officials’ Association.


 

Soccer - Holly Herrholtz

Softball - Jerry Fick

Email: [email protected]
Bio Note: Has been involved in training umpires and officiating administration since 1971. Was named to the Amateur Softball Association's national umpire Staff in 2002 and has since been assigned to work with umpires across the country and in Europe. Is the current vice chair of the ASA Fast Pitch Rules Committee. Has been an OHSAA District Officials Secretary for 25 years and a state softball interpreter since 2003. Developed the proposal for the OHSAA Officials Hall of Fame in 1987 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995.
 
Bulletins:

Swimming & Diving - R.J. Van Almen

Email: [email protected]
Bio Note: R.J. Van Almen is a former four-year State Championship qualifier & three-year All-Ohioan from Canton. Today he is self-employed & his greatest passions are serving the aquatics community and officiating at the high school, college & USA level. 
 
R.J. has officiated 12 Division I & 12 Division II state championships, 36 NCAA (DI, DII and DII) & one NAIA National Championships, 5 Arena Pro Series Championships (Mesa, Santa Clara, Orlando, Charlotte and Atlanta), USA Nationals, US Open & numerous college conference championships. 
 
In 2014, R.J. was inducted into the Stark County Swimming & Diving Hall of Fame and in 2015 he was named the National Federation of High School Officials Girl's Swimming and Diving Official of the Year. In April 2017 he was elected President of The Pro Football Hall of Fame Luncheon Club. He is the former President of the East Ohio Swim Officials Association & current President of the Greater Canton Aquatics Association & Canton Amateur Sports Hall of Fame.

Cross Country and Track and Field - BJ Duckworth

Email: [email protected] 
Bio Note: Officiating since 2005, Duckworth is a Past-President of the Ohio Association of Track & Field and Cross Country Officials, he has twice been a presenter at their annual clinic. Originally from NE Ohio he served as secretary of the Greater Youngstown Track Officials Association for nearly ten years. While in Youngstown he worked in various capacities at Youngstown State University Athletics including three seasons as Coordinator of Officials for YSU Track & Field/Cross Country. In addition to high school indoor track meets he coordinated for the Horizon League (NCAA Division 1) & the Presidents Athletic Conference (NCAA Division 3) Indoor Track Championships as well as Horizon League Cross Country and Outdoor Track & Field Championships.  As of the 2021 season he has worked over 30 district tournaments and over 20 regional championships. Duckworth has officiated the OHSAA State Track & Field Championship eight times and has served on the hurdle crew for the championship four times. Additionally, as a former USATF official he has officiated the Mid-American Conference Indoor & Horizon League Outdoor Championships.  Currently residing in Genoa (Toledo), Ohio he works in non-profit leadership.  
 
 
​

Girls Volleyball - Jim Hammar

 Email: [email protected]
 Bio Note: Jim Hammar has been with the United States Postal Service for 37 years and has been a certified   trainer for the USPS for 35 years.  Jim is an active OHSAA Volleyball Official entering his 19th year. Jim is also an   active USA Volleyball and college official, working multiple USAV National championships and NCAA conference   championships. Jim was an OHSAA Basketball Official for 17 years (retired).  
  Jim has worked Five State Girls Volleyball tournaments and multiple Regional tournament assignments in   addition to several OHSBVA State and Regional assignments. Currently, Jim is Secretary/Treasurer for Hub of   Ohio Volleyball Officials Association since 2012 and was previously the President, Vice President and Member at Large for the same association.  He is on the Board of Directors for the Ohio Valley Region of USA Volleyball and works with Junior Officials training.  He has created content for OHSAA online volleyball meetings and multiple Hub of Ohio VOA and Cap West Basketball Officials Association meetings. Jim is a part of the new officials training team for the Ohio Valley Region of USA Volleyball.  Jim is part of the training team with Serve It Up Volleyball LLC for new and existing OHSAA volleyball officials.
 
2020 Memos: July 8  |  Aug. 3
2019 Training Presentations:
Rule Changes and Points of Emphasis for 2019 PowerPoint
Unnecessary Delays PowerPoint
2018 Training Presentations:
Volleyball Picture Quiz: Word | PDF (Answers)
2018 OHSAA Ball Handling -Notes Pages (pdf)
2018 OHSAA BAll Handling PowerPoint
2017 Training Presentations: 
Chapter 1 - Getting Started: PPT | PDF
Chapter 2 - Volleyball Officiating Crew: PPT | PDF
Chapter 3 - Basic Volleyball Rules: PPT | PDF
Official's Online Rules Meeting: PPT | PDF
NFHS Second Referee: PPT | PDF
Understanding Positions and Alignments: PPT | PDF
 

Boys Volleyball - Lucas Tuggle

Lucas currently works in education for South-Western City Schools. He has been a certified OHSAA volleyball and basketball official since he was 14 years old and brings over 18 years of experience. During his career, he has been assigned numerous OHSAA and OHSBVA post-season matches, refereeing the 2015 OHSAA D1 Final 4. He has also worked numerous NCAA D3/NAIA conference and the NJCAA tournament matches as a referee and line judge, line judges multiple D1 conference tournament matches as well as the NAIA tournament. Off the floor, Lucas brings leadership experience from serving as the president of the Southwestern Ohio Board of Officials (PAVO), along with serving in various association leadership positions. Lucas serves as the coordinator of officials for several high school and middle school conferences in Ohio, along with assigning support officials for colleges. He served the OHSBVA as the State Officials Coordinator and State Rules Interpreter for 10 seasons.
 
2023 - Plays of the Week: Week 5
2024 - Plays of the Week: Week 4, Week 8
 

Wrestling - Toby Dunlap

Email: [email protected]
Bio Note: Toby spent 39 years as an OHSAA registered wrestling official. He has served as a high school and youth volunteer wrestling coach. He is a member of the Northeast Ohio Wrestling Officials Association (NOWOA) serving its Treasurer for 10 years and 22 years as Rules Interpreter. He is a member of the Greater Cleveland Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association (GCWCOA) and is a four-time recipient of its Official of the Year Award. He currently serves on the scholarship selection committees of the NOWOA and the GCWCOA. He was selected to officiate 19 OHSAA State Individual Wrestling Tournaments and assigned to officiate 27 Sectional and District Tournaments (Northeast District). He officiated the Division I State Dual Meet Team Championships sponsored by the Ohio High School Wrestling Coaches Association from its inception to its conclusion. He serves as a clinician for the Ohio Wrestling Officials Association, as well as a guest lecturer at many local wrestling officials associations throughout the state. He assisted his predecessor, James Vreeland, in the preparation and editing of the inaugural edition of the O.H.S.A.A. “Greenbook” Wrestling Officials Mechanics Manual and has published in the Officials Quarterly Magazine. He has been an OHSAA Observer of Officials since the inception of the program in 2012 with 7 State Tournament observation assignments. He serves the Northeast District Athletic Board as Sports Coordinator for Wrestling. He was awarded the National Federation of Interscholastic Officials Association Ohio Wrestling Official of the year in 2011 and was inducted into the Medina Invitational Hall of Fame (2004), the Ohio Wrestling Officials Hall of Fame (2008), the Top Gun Invitational Hall of Fame (2019), and the OHSAA Officials Hall of Fame (2019).
"Green Book" | Body Fluid Procedures | Nelson-Cradle Illustrations (Legal & Illegal) | Crossface Back Bow
Bulletins
2022-23: No. 1 | No. 2
2019-20: No. 1 | HNC Protocol | No. 2 | No. 3 | 2020 Post-Season Checklist: (PDF) (PPT) | No. 4
2017-18: Oct. 30 | Nov. 15 | Dec. 1 | Dec. 14 | Dec. 15 | Jan. 1 | Jan. 8 | Feb. 1