TO REGISTER, CLICK HERE

We are now actively seeking volunteers to officiate games for the Special Olympics of New Jersey Spring Festival of Sports. With the holidays now behind us and the season in full swing, maybe it's time to start thinking about what we can do to give back to the sport we love. Why not consider volunteering to officiate a few games for Special Olympics of New Jersey Spring Festival of Sports?

The SONJ season started strong on January 19th and will continue to run through March 9th, with games every Sunday at two locations, in Clifton and Old Bridge, from 9AM until around 1-2PM. Then on Saturday and Sunday, March 15th and 16th, they host the Regional Playoffs to select the teams which will participate in the Spring Festival Finals down in Wildwood the weekend of March 29th. With two courts at each site, you can see that it adds up to a lot of games, and a lot of whistles, if we are to pull it off successfully.

Board 33 continues to be the primary source of officials for all of the games for the North (Clifton) and East (Old Bridge) regions, while Boards 34 and 193 cover the South and Central Regions respectively. All in all, the IAABO boards from New Jersey cover hundreds of games, providing a safe and fair competition for the amazing athletes of SONJ. And you can be part of it.

To volunteer, all you have to do is pick dates and times that you are available on the registration form stating when you would like to work. The tentative schedule of games is shown on the registration form and gets updated weekly as the folks at SONJ plan the week's matchups.

Once you send in your availability, someone will reach out to confirm your slot(s). Then all you have to do is show up. Although it's not advisable, you can even just drop in some Sunday at either location and run a few games. We're easy!

These games are for the most part low key and slow paced. We try to run three person mechanics when we have the manpower, so nobody gets worn out. We do have a cadre of regulars who come every single week to work a bunch of games, but with almost 900 members in Board 33, we shouldn't have to rely on them every week.

So think about it. We guarantee that it will be a pleasant experience, one that will help make the day for some very special people and their guardians. One that may change the way you look at life and the game of basketball. We hope you choose to be on the SONJ courts soon.

In September 2019, NJSIAA entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the NJ Office of the Attorney General – Division of Civil Rights.  This Memorandum required NJSIAA to provide implicit bias training to all registered NJSIAA officials.

To accomplish this requirement, NJSIAA will be hosting a series of workshops on implicit bias during the 2024-2025 school year.  The workshops will be virtual and will be hosted on the Zoom platform. They should last approximately one hour.

This is a one-time-only requirement - it will not be a seasonal or annual requirement.  If you have already completed this workshop, you do not need to take it again.

This workshop is required! No official will be eligible for any assignments at any level (regular season or tournament contests) without participating in the workshop.  Similar workshops, like the NFHS course, will not be accepted.  

Thank you in advance for your participation and cooperation.

Below you will find the schedule for upcoming workshops. Pre-registration is required. Each registration link is unique to the specific date and time. Each session will be limited to 100 participants.  Only register for one session.

Thank you in advance for your participation and cooperation.

Registration links:

Any questions, please contact Dena Maggio from the NJSIAA - dmaggio@njsiaa.org

The meeting dates and attendance requirements for the upcoming 2024-25 season have officially been announced by the Board Secretary.

Meeting Set 1 is an IN PERSON meeting, and in person attendance is required by all members at one location or the other.

Meeting Sets 2, 3, 4 and 5 will be held remotely via Zoom, and invitations to attend each meeting will be sent out beforehand by the Board Interpreter.

Simulator Sessions will be held remotely via Zoom, and invitations to attend each meeting will be sent out beforehand by the Board Interpreter once the dates are announced.

To view a list of each meeting set, please visit our Meetings page on the site for more information.

FROM THE DESK OF WALTER F. RUSAK - EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

September 1, 2024

Dear Member:                                   

 The executive board hopes you and your families are healthy and doing well. We are preparing for the 2024-25 season. Below you will find important information with respect to the distribution of materials, meetings, Simulator (annual exam), and registration with the NJSIAA.

• Packet Distribution- Dates, locations and times for distribution can be found on the reverse side of this letter. You must bring the enclosed index card with you to receive your materials. You may pick up multiple packets, however, you must have an index card for each member you are picking up materials for. No Packets will be distributed at the Set#1 meetings.

• Five Sets of meetings have been scheduled for the upcoming season. Set # 1 is MANDATORY (must attend1 of 2) and in person, Sets# 2,3 ,4 & 5 will be via Zoom. The Simulator exam is required and counts toward meeting requirements (Only need one of two). You must attend a total of three meeting dates to meet attendance requirements.  Meeting dates and times are listed on the reverse side, on the website, and in the directory. Set #1 and the Simulator are mandatory.
• The Simulator Exam is required annually. The NFHS Exam is not required.

• You must be registered with the NJSIAA. Registration will also include the annual background check. Fees change if you officiate more than one sport.
• The Concussion Course must be completed by September 1.
• Website Access - utilize the Forgot Password function to retrieve the username/password, if you do not currently have it.

On behalf of President Rich DePena and the Executive Committee, I welcome you to the 2024-25 season.

Sincerely,

Walter F. Rusak
Executive Secretary, Board #33