E-Newsletter of the USA Swimming Officials Committee

November 2007

Officials Tracking System. A reminder to all officials who were “grandfathered” until December 2007 for N2 and N3 certification. You can now apply for recertification through the on-line Officials Tracking System (OTS). Just log in and follow the directions in the Officials User Guidelines found on the opening page of the OTS site. To access the system, you sign in with your USA Swimming website account linked to your membership, click on Volunteers, then Officials, then Officials Tracking System…click here for the User Guidelines.

Pettigrew Award. At the annual US Aquatic Sports Convention in Garden Grove, CA, Dan McAllen of North Texas Swimming was named the 2007 recipient of the Kenneth J. Pettigrew Award. This award is presented annually to an official in recognition of exceptional and extensive service to the sport of swimming.

Maxwell Award. Congratulations to Dave Howard of Gulf Swimming as the November recipient of the Maxwell Excellence Award for service to local swimming. To learn more about the award and to see a list of previous recipients, click here.

DVDs. There is a new stroke and turn DVD, based on the previous tape but updated to reflect the current rules. It also includes chapter index controls which allows for easy movement between chapters. There is also a new starter DVD that includes actual examples from meets at all levels of competition from 8 & Unders to Nationals. Like the stroke & turn DVD, this has a chapter index to permit easy navigation. Both DVDs are available for purchase on the USA Swimming website, click on Shopping.

Officials Online Tests. For recertifying Starters, there is a new test that combines Starter, Clerk of Course and Stroke & Turn questions. Only one test is now required. Click here to connect the on-line test site.

Training Resource. Click here for the new Safety Card Checklist for Referees on the USA-S website.

Convention. The requirement that Marshals be registered members of USA Swimming was dropped by a vote at the House of Delegates. Remember, for safety concerns, marshals are required at all meets.

2008 Olympics. The following officials have been accepted for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing: John Wilson (starter), Mike Saltzstein (judge) and John Kinney (open water). This is a great honor that reflects the hard work and experience of these three fine officials.