State Championship Officials

State Championship Officials

The AOA Basketball Division would like to congratulate Craig Davelis and Randy Wilson for representing the AOA at the girls state basketball tournament held Feb. 29 through March 2 at Illinois State University. Craig officiated two state semifinals (Class 1A and 3A) and the Class 4A state championship. Randy officiated one Class 3A semifinal, the Class 2A third-place game and the Class 1A state championship. Congratulations to both on a job well done. 

2024 Baseball Division

All meetings will be held on Zoom and will take place on:

6:45 PM on 2/7, 2/14, 2/21, 2/28, 3/6, 3/13

New to the IHSA – Free
New to AOA – $15.00
Returning members – $25.00

Online Membership Registration
  • 2/7/2024
    • Opening Remarks – Pat Weber
    • Teachable Moments – Tim McCaffrey
    • Live Ball/Dead Ball – Steve Harms
    • Base Awards – John Hobscheid
  • 2/14/2024
    • Umpire’s Inner Voice – Jenn Hughes
    • Working the bases – Greg Johnson
    • MLB Umpire Discussion – Dan Bellino
  • 2/21/2024
    • Game-Ending Situations – Jenn Hughes
    • Game Within the Game – Rob Hacker
    • Video Plays – Tim Cordill CBUA
  • 2/28/2024
    • Mechanics – Bill Mushrush
    • Professionalism – John Cyr
    • Conflict Resolution – John Cyr
  • 3/6/2024
    • Definitions – John Hobscheid
    • Infield Fly – Steve Harms
    • Batter is out When – Pat Weber
    • Officer Nominations – Pat Weber
  • 3/13/2024
    • Rules Changes and POEs – John Cyr
    • Working the Plate – Greg Johnson
    • NFHS Part 1 Exam – John Cyr/Greg Johnson

2023 Basketball Meetings

2023-24 AOA Basketball Division Meeting Dates & Schedule

All meetings will begin at 7:30 PM at York High School except for Week 6, which will be held at Shoeless Joe’s Ale House and Grille at 1480 W. Lake Street, in Addison

  • Week 1 – Oct. 5: Tim Loughnane will discuss new business, introduce all of the Hall of Fame members and introduce new members. Jeff Rutledge will provide a new rules presentation and points of emphasis. There also will be AOA Camp testimonials from individuals who attended the camp.
  • Week 2 – Oct. 12: Dave Romano will have a presentation about free throws and in-bounds. Eddie Burns will have a presentation about professionalism and NFHS rule No. 2
  • Week 3 – Oct. 19: Sal Vasta will discussion Arbiter, camps and the IHSA Website. John Marino will provide a mechanics presentation.
  • Week 4 – Oct 26: Former referee and AOA President Joe Spagnolo returns to present his observations after spending last season as an assistant coach at Hinsdale Central. He will provide his perspective with video support. 
  • Week 5 – Nov. 2: Tim Loughnane will provide a presentation about traveling, identifying the pivot foot, and closely guarded situations. Don Williams will provide content about the different types of fouls we experience throughout games.
  • Week 6 – Nov. 9: Part 1 IHSA Test Review at Shoeless Joe’s Ale House and recognition of Rich Parson for his recent introduction into the AOA’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

2023 Football Meetings

The registration and dues payment page is now open and receiving registration and 2023 dues payments. Dues response has been terrific, keep up the great work.


This season we’ll be a hybrid of virtual meetings and in-person meetings. Virtual meetings will kick-off (of course pun intended) on July 20th. 7:00pm. A zoom link will come out closer to the day. 

SOME THINGS STAY THE SAME AND SOME THINGS CHANGE:

  • STAY THE SAME:
    • To be eligible to vote or hold office one must be a member in good standing. That means paid your 2023 AOA Football Division Membership dues, had a dues waiver request approved, and attended at least 4 of the 6 regularly scheduled meetings.
  • CHANGE LEVEL 2 CLINIC CREDIT:
    • to receive Level 2 Clinic credit, one must pay your 2023 AOA Football Division Membership dues and attend BOTH the August 3rd and August 10th in-person meetings at Fenton High School

Here is a tentative schedule of topics and presenters for the 2023 Season’s meetings:

  • July 20,: 7:00 PM Zoom – Player Conduct  – State Final Official Tim Loughnane
  • July 27, 7:00 PM Zoom – New Rules – State Final Official Ted Lepucki
  • Aug 3, 7:00 PM In Person Fenton HS. Auditorium Mechanics Changes for 2023 – Football Official of the Year Jeff Conrad
  • Aug 10, 7:00 PM in Person Fenton HS  Auditorium OPI/DPI Pick Plays  – State Final Official Tim Loughnane
  • Aug 17, 7:00 PM Zoom Test Review – Football Board Nominations Open – Game Management/Clock Management – AOA HUDL Coordinator Craig Reges
  • Aug 24, 7:00 PM Zoom Test Review – Football Board Nominations Close – Goal Line Plays – TBD

Zoom meetings beginning on July 20th

NASO Discount Membership for AOA Members

Renew or Join NASO Through AOA and Save

AOA is again offering NASO membership with a savings of over 25%. This is a limited time offer and you must submit your registration and credit card information by June 13, 2023.

Reasons to Join NASO

  • Education – Referee Magazine, It’s Official News Letter, Officiating Books
  • Protection – Liability Insurance Protection: NASO Sports Officials Security
  • Protection – Assault Protection: $15,500 for Assault Medical & Legal Expense

Sorry, but NASO Membership Discount is no longer available.

End of the Year Celebration – All Divisions

Please join all AOA Officials

Sunday, May 21st from Noon – 3:00 PM at Pinstripes, 7 Oakbrook Center Mall, Oak Brook.
All-you-can-eat buffet from Noon to 3. Adult beverages included.

Awards Ceremony Schedule

  • 1:20 pm Baseball Awards/Recognitions
  • 1:00 pm Basketball Awards/Recognitions
  • 1:40 pm Football Awards/ Recognitions
  • 2:00 pm Softball Awards/Recognitions

IHSA Certified Softball Clinic

Interested in Umpiring Softball?  Good News!  The IHSA has approved 15- and 16-year-olds to get a Provisional License with the state.  No fee for you to apply.  One must attend a certified clinic like the one below.  The deadline for applying for spring sports is April 15.


February 26, 2023

1:00 – 5:00 PM

Resurrection College Prep HS
7500 W. Talcott Ave.

Clinicians will cover topics such as Professionalism, Game Mechanics, Conflict Resolution, Rule Changes and Management. You will walk away feeling more confident about applying your skills to officiating the game of softball.

2022 AOA Basketball Division

2022 AOA Basketball Division

October 6, 2022 – In-Person at York HS

  • Check in 6:30 PM
  • 7:00 1st meeting of Board of Directors
  • 7:05 – 7:15 Business for AOA for the year
  • 7:20 – TBD Fred Allman – New Rules & POE
  • Denny Bracco “Running your pregame with purpose/Getting back to Basics”

October 13, 2022 on Zoom

  • Zoom Run by Randy Wilson
  • Short meeting 7 – 8 (Cause of Bears Game)
  • Jeff Rutledge – “Little things of officiating”

October 20, 2022 Zoom

  • Dave Romano – 20 minutes Communication with Coaches
  • Tim Loughnane – 20 minutes Block/Charge & Dead Ball
  • Don Williams – 20 minutes Video session “What do you see”

October 27, 2022 Zoom

  • Sal Vasta – 20 minutes – Mechanics
  • Les O’Connor 20 minutes – Throw-ins
  • Randy Wilson – 20 minutes – Basket-interference / Goaltending

November 3, 2022 Zoom

  • Eddie Burns Host
  • Eddie Burns – 20 minutes Best Teammate (on and off the court)
  • Jeff Rutledge – 30 minutes “Calling your primary”
  • Bob Copas – 20 minutes – Fighting

November 10, 2022 In-Person @ 7 PM

  • Shoeless Joe’s Ale House & Grille
    • 1480 W Lake St, Addison, IL 60101
  • Pizza Party & Rules Test Review – Eddie will host meeting
  • All Clinicians will take 10 Questions each: Tim, Les, Don, Sal Randy, Jeff