Welcome to the 2021 Season!
To my fellow officials and the football fans of San Diego, welcome to the 2022 season, “a season to move on.’’ I say that because we are now two years into a global pandemic that continues to affect the game at all levels. While I do expect to see additional COVID-related challenges in 2022, it is time to “move on.” We must live our lives remembering the things we loved to do in the past and look forward to doing them again in the future.
Our Association has an even bigger challenge heading into the 2022 season. Recruiting and retention. Unfortunately, our membership has shrunk in recent years for a variety of reasons. We must all endeavor to bring new members into our ranks. Our Recruiting Chair, Gary Gittelson, has been working tirelessly in this effort. But, as Gary would tell you, our best recruiting resource is you! People who love the game and the officials who make up our current and former members. Please reach out to those around you. We need officials!
The San Diego County Football Officials Association celebrates the game we love and the tremendous success of our officials. Our instructional program is recognized as the best in the nation. We have trained, mentored, and promoted dozens of officials who have gone on to higher levels of officiating. It’s now common to see them officiating televised college and professional games every fall weekend. I would like to acknowledge some of the people who have made that possible; Don Carey, Ed Blick, Jimmy Christensen, Earl Totty, Tom Ables and of course, our Instructional Chairman, Steve Coover. They are doing a great service to the game, the local football community, and our Association. Now, it’s up to us to bring them fresh faces to develop the next generation of excellence in officiating.
The Association’s Board of Directors and appointed officers have managed our affairs and the issues that has come before it in a fair, democratic and sometimes contentious way. That’s a good thing! I encourage independent thought and healthy debate. As a member, you should know that your voice is being heard and your concerns are being addressed. I would like to thank Zack Marble for his years of service to the Board and welcome our newest Board members, David Middleton and Rob Schaerer.
Our past two Presidents, Dave Garza and Kevin Haws, have done a fantastic job of guiding us through the pandemic and building a foundation for us to succeed in 2022. On behalf of the entire Association, I would like to extend our gratitude and appreciation for the service they have done and will continue to do as returning Board members. I would also like to acknowledge the great work Mr. Garza has done with the Association website. It’s a more functional resource allowing the user to get up-to-date information about our Association. You can research study guides and training manuals, view the expanded photo gallery, and learn more about the Association’s role in the San Diego football community. The website will also serve as a great recruiting tool for our future. Thank you, Dave!
Finally, to our member officials past, present, and incoming for this new season; it has been an honor to serve on the Board for the past six years and I look forward to serving as your President in 2022. Together, we will meet our recruiting goals, continue to provide quality football officiating, promote fair play and good sportsmanship, and work hard to get better at what we do. Together, we will “move on.” We will address all challenges this new season may bring with one core principle in mind, “for the good of the Association.”
Thank you and have a great 2022 season!
Terry Bernard
President, San Diego County Football Officials Association