NCAA Women's National Coordinator
Penny Davis, set to ZOOM with IAABO
When: May 6, 2020 7:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Click here to register.
IAABO Play of the Week
Click here to view IAABO NFHS Play of the Week Number 18 for the 2019/2020 season. After viewing the video click here to answer a survey to ensure an accurate ruling. The link can also be found under the video on the IAABO website.
At IAABO, we recognize that our members work all different rules codes at various levels. While in the past, our Plays of the Week have focused on NFHS rules, we provide this video as the first in a series which will highlight other rules codes.  We hope you enjoy our expanded Play of the Week feature and look forward to more in future editions of Inside the Lines.
 
Click here to view IAABO Women's Collegiate Edition Play of the Week Number 1 for the 2019/2020 season. After viewing the video click here to answer a survey to ensure an accurate ruling. The link can also be found under the video on the IAABO website.
 
Additionally, all Plays of the Week are archived at www.iaabo.org
"Respect the Virus"
What You Need to Know avout COVID-19
to Protect Yourself and Your Families

by Doctor Dan Davis
The COVID-19 virus has spread to all 50 states – some more deeply than others, but none has been spared. The virus has also spread worldwide. Currently, the U.S. has the most documented cases of COVID-19 infection of any country in the world. Here are the numbers as of April 26, 2020, according to Johns Hopkins University:
     •     Global cases confirmed:   2,920,660
     •     Global deaths:                   203,670
     •     U.S. cases confirmed:       941,628
     •     U.S. deaths:                        54.001
The data changes daily, so these numbers will have increased by the time you read this.
 
The point is, the COVID-19 pandemic is serious business. It must be taken seriously by all of us as well as by our municipal, state and federal governments – and the decision makers who are supposed to establish rules and guidelines that must be observed if we’re to have any hope of getting this pandemic under control and safeguarding ourselves and our families. We are all responsible for following these rules and guidelines. Not doing so puts people at risk. We have seen people marching on their state capitals demanding that their states be reopened so that they can resume their normal lives and go back to work. They crowd together in total violation of stay-at-home and social distancing guidelines. By doing so they are inviting a surge in COVID-19 infections and deaths – possibly even their own.
 
We know this to be a likely outcome because of our history with pandemics – the most severe being the 1918 Spanish flu that killed over 50 million people worldwide including over 675,000 in the U.S. alone – far more than the 20 million who died in World War I. What’s scary is that this pandemic hit in three waves – in the spring, fall, and winter of 1918. Granted, medical science and technology weren’t then what they are now. There were no flu vaccines or diagnostic tests. A few cities did close schools and ban public gatherings, but there was no coordinated national effort by the federal government to do likewise across the country, and a lot of people died as a result. You know the old saying that those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Well, the history of the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic is one we do not want to repeat with regard to COVID-19.
 
It is imperative that we implement comprehensive testing and contact tracing in every state and community in the country and contain the spread of the virus as much as possible to ensure maximum safety BEFORE we even consider reopening any state or community. This is not a political stance on my part, but a medical statement based on science and the data. We know for example that countries that have tested as many people as possible have the lowest per capita infections because they caught instances of infection sooner.
 
Unfortunately, right now, the U.S. is a long way from implementing testing on the comprehensive level that is needed. Critical equipment and materials are still in short supply and not getting to the doctors and hospitals and health care personnel who need them fast enough or in sufficient quantities. We are also a long way from COVID-19 hitting its peak across the country. Some places are doing better than others, but those others have yet to experience the surge of infection that has taken place elsewhere. We as yet do not have a COVID-19 vaccine or medicine or any treatment that is confirmed as effective. We also don’t know for sure whether someone who gets the virus and recovers from it does indeed develop an immunity. We need more studies and trials, and those take time. We cannot and must not take any shortcuts. The good news is that we are making some progress. We certainly know more about how COVID-19 behaves than we did at the outset of this pandemic. But we have a long way to go
Former IAABO Board No. 185, Staten Island, New York
Member Arnold Obey, Long-Time Educator and Pillar
of Staten Island’s Sports Community Passes
Meiers Corners resident Arnold Obey, who ran in 38 consecutive New York City Marathons, had a race (The Arnold Obey/Armed Forces Day 5K Run) named in his honor in 2017. (Staten Island Advance)
Celisse Obey-Lundy and Tonya Obey-McCombs loved their father, Arnold, dearly and just like any daughters, enjoyed whatever time they spent with their dad.
But they also knew that running errands with their father meant allotting extra time with the guy that some affectionately referred to as the mayor.
“We’d be out and he’d finish talking to someone and I’d say, ‘you know that guy?’ He’d say ‘no,” said Celisse with a laugh. "He’d talk to a pole if he knew it would talk back and, honestly, that’s a trait that I got from him.
"He was just a very friendly guy that would talk to strangers like he knew them for years.''  Click here to read more.
Board 4 Colorado Member Jeff Heins’ Father
“Decides It’s Time to Hang Up the Whistle”
after 50 Years on the Basketball Court
Denny Heins, who retired from officiating high school basketball after 50 years, is flanked by his son, Jeff, IAABO Board 4, Colorado, and daughter, Molly.
IAABO Good Citizen
William Sheldon, Bd.36, Adirondack, NY
William Sheldon is a high school teacher in Albany, New York.  He and his students have been impacted tremendously by the coronavirus pandemic.  He lives in the same town, which is Cohoes, NY, that he teaches in.  Keeping the continuity of learning and equity for his students has been a tremendous task for his district to do, but together they are getting it accomplished in an environment of uncharted waters. It truly is a nationwide dilemma and all school districts in all 50 states should be commended for their herculean efforts on behalf of their students.
 
William has been volunteering at his towns food drives and also hands out grab and go meals, and our clothing drives as well. They have a high rate of low income families in Cohoes to the point that they were able to secure both free breakfast and lunches for their students for this school year. The Cohoes Teacher Association (CTA) members have stepped up weekly to ensure their local food pantries are stocked and that the neediest continue to receive much needed food during this difficult time. It truly is a team effort.
 
This crisis affects everyone and when people step up they can make a big difference in people's lives. 
 
Bill is shown on the photo above with Jacqueline DeChiaro who is a building principal at one of their elementary schools.
Apply to be a High School Official!
Make a difference in your community and become a high school official. #BecomeAnOfficial. Click here to read more.
If you have any issues, please send an email to info@refquest.com and a member of the RefQuest team will contact you shortly.  
Officially Human; Behind the Stripes LLC (OH) was founded by Brenda Hilton as a grassroots effort to "humanize" sport officials in all sports at all levels. Brenda has spent close to 20 years working with sport officials and coordinators at the DI level and grown to appreciate them for all they do for our youth and young adults. OH is currently working with 12 high school associations (with more on the horizon) across the country to survey officials at that level, gathering information to take back constituents and participating states in hopes of building a nationwide campaign. To date, 16,000+ officials have shared thoughts and ideas on how to address the issue. 
OH currently has sportsmanship banners available for purchase to be displayed at venues; they can be customized with the venue logo. 
@OffyHuman
Calling All Good IAABO Citizens
So many of us impact our communities and our world for the better.  IAABO would like to highlight many of the good deeds our officials have done throughout the year. We want to emphasize our belief in being good corporate and community citizens in the areas where we live and work.  So, whether it be a random act of kindness or an organized volunteer effort, no good deed is too big or too small!  Trust us, we’ll be humble so that our officials can be proud.  Send your email to IAABO @ info@iaabo.org  and tell us about a good deed you did this year.
 
Some examples include:
  • Rescued a puppy
  • Bought lunch for a stranger
  • Organized a fundraiser
  • Volunteered at a homeless shelter
  • Donated blood
  • Shoveled a neighbor’s driveway
  • Helped a friend in need
Click here to purchase Ref Life gear and enjoy Free Shipping - Must use code RefLife when checking out.

The NFHS is currently offering free officiating courses on their website @ NFHSLearn.com. 

To make a donation, please contact your local board chairperson or send your donation to Officials vs. Cancer, P.O. Box 355, Carlisle, PA  17013. Click here to make an online donation.

IAABO Patches

Recently, the IAABO Office has received numerous inquiries about IAABO patches and their availability for purchase.  IAABO Patches are no longer available for purchase.  This was discontinued several years ago.  Please visit Smitty Officials’ Apparel – Smitty is the exclusive vendor for IAABO Logoed products.  Click here to view a listing of preferred retailers.

IAABO University Goes Live
"An online basketball officiating certification class"

The course is LIVE.  If your board is participating and has prospective officials that would like to enroll in the course, please have them contact the IAABO Office @ info@iaabo.org
Smitty Officials’ Apparel – Smitty is the exclusive vendor for IAABO Logoed products.  Click here to view a listing of preferred retailers.
 
Incrediware - A Natural
Wearable Anti-Inflammatory
Incrediware’s mission is to design innovative products that help patients recover more effectively and faster while assisting medical professionals to deliver a new standard of care through further development and application of unique materials.  IAABO officials are being offered the same discount as all NBA and NCAA officials.  The promo code is:  NCAAREF (30% discount). www.incrediwear.com
IAABO Watch and Gift Set
IAABO watch and gift sets are now available at a special price of $99.95.  To order your watch and gift set, please contact Donnie Eppley@ 717.713.8129 or email:  eppleyd@comcast.net
 
Special Deals for IAABO Basketball Officials
Briggs and Riley Luggage
Briggs and Riley Luggage - Officials will receive a 60% discount on any product.  Officials must use the form which can be obtained by clicking here - There is a lifetime guaranteed on the luggage. 
ISlides – Customize your own IAABO ISlides.  Click here to get started.

BRAZYN Foam Roller

The Morph” is a collapsible foam roller that can be packed in your roller bag and taken on the road with you.  No more will you have to ask the training room for a foam roller.
 
Move Better – Feel Better – Move More – Experience More
 
Expands instantly
Collapses instantly
Light weight (1.5 lbs)
Strong (up to 350 lbs)
Targeted – releases knots and flushes toxins
True usability – standard size – easy to use
Sustainably made – eco-friendly materials
 
Use the code BRZNBB15 at check out and get 15% off.
 
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