Directors of Officiating Development

The sports of Baseball, Football, Basketball, Field Hockey, Gymnastics, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming & Diving, Cross Country/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.

2024: Janurary 22 | April 2 | April 26 | May 14

2023: April 26

2022: December | February 7 | February 24 | March 23 | April 18

2020: February 15 | April 15

2019: March 14 | April 17

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

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

2021-22: Point Differential Updates and Plays of the Week - Week 3

2017-18: Foul Reporting & Switching (PPT) | 3-Person Mechanic Resource (PDF) | 2018 OHSAA Basketball Officials Training Clinic | 2017-18 Basketball Officials State Rules Meeting Presentation (PPT)

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: 

2016: May 26 | June 3 | Aug. 19 | Aug. 23 | Sept. 7 | Sept. 23 | Oct. 7 | Dec. 21
2015: June 12 | Aug. 8 | Aug. 21 | Sept. 14
2014: Aug. 18 | Sept. 19 | Sept. 29 | Oct. 13

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

 

2023: Rules Interpretation/Video Review  |  August 2 Memo  |  2023 NFHS Rules Interpretations | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8

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  |

   2020 OHSAA COVID-19 Return to Competition Recommendations

2019 Bulletins: Play Clock Bulletin | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3

Mechanics: Back Judge  |  Line Judge  |  Linesman  |  Referee  |  Umpire

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.

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. 

 

 

 

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.

2017: Bulletin #1 | Bulletin #2
 

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.


 

 

2024: Soccer Clinic Update

2023: July 5 Memo | July 17 Memo | August 1 Memo | Online Meeting #1 Technical issue | Online Local Meeting - First Round Template

2022: Soccer Officials Manual | 2022 Officials’ Manual Now Available and Review of NFHS Rules Changes l  NFHS Soccer Rule Interpretations – 2022-23 | Oct. 20 Review of Two Teams Entering Tournament Play

2021: Soccer Officials Manual

2020:  Soccer Officials Manual  |  Aug. 3 A Brain Teaser  |  Aug. 13 Soccer Bulletin  |  Aug 19 NFHS Rules Changes Explained

2019 Bulletins: Excessive Celebration Interpretation | Soccer Timekeeper Guidance | Substitution Quiz | This and That Quiz | Weekly Update - 10/1/2019 
 

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.

 

Combined Softball and Baseball General Meeting: 2026

 

 

Umpire Mechanics: Three Umpire Mechanics | Four Umpire Mechanics

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 15 Division I & 15 Division II state championships, 54 NCAA (DI, DII and DII) & one NAIA National Championships, Arena/ Tyr 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 and named its 17th Lifetime Member in 2023.  He was awarded The Marion Motley Community Award from the National High School Football Hall of Fame. In June 2021, R.J. served on the Meet Committee for the Olympic Swimming Trials in Omaha, Nebraska and 2024 Trials in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 2024, R.J. was named a Vice-Chairman for The Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Committee and in 2025 was named Chairman of the Canton City Schools Hall of Distinction. 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. He resides in Canton with his two daughters: Romy and Rowan, son; Roman and Abby Geiselman. 

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 been a presenter at their annual clinic multiple times. 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. 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 and serves as the Track & Cross Country Sport Administrator.

 

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 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).  

2020 Memos: July 8  |  Aug. 3

Rule Changes and Points of Emphasis for 2019 PowerPoint

Unnecessary Delays PowerPoint

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

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.

 

2024 - Plays of the Week: Week 4, Week 8

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).

 

 

NFHS RELEASE: NFHS Learning Center Introduces “Officiating Wrestling” and Spanish Translation of “Concussion in Sports” Courses

Rule Book Illustrations​  2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017- 18 | 2018-19

2022-23: No. 1 | No. 2 

2021-22: No. 1 | No. 2 | 2022 Post-Season Wrestling Tournament Checklist

2020-21: No. 1  |  No. 2  |  No. 3  | 2021 Post-Season Wrestling Tournament Checklist

2018-19: Sept. 1 | Oct. 1 | Nov. 1 | Nov. 14 | Nov. 15 | Dec. 1 | Dec. 14 | Jan. 2 | Jan. 17 | Coach in Chair Policy | Sock Issue Notice | Feb. 7