Category Archives: Uncategorized

At the State Track meet, I had the opportunity to talk to the person who “moderates” the track and field rules meeting for the National Federation of High Schools. She asked me how, as an official, I handle the “sixty minutes” rule. I answered honestly: that if I was at a height change, with twoContinue reading “Sixty Minutes – Sort of”

In Any Language They say the Intuit language (Eskimo) has dozens of words for what in English we call snow.  That makes a lot of sense.  Snow has a prime impact on their lives, near or above the Arctic Circle.  It even has an impact here.  Better to shovel “powder” than “slush”.   But in my “side-profession” of track officiating,Continue reading “Blue Sky Rain”

NFHS – Track and Field Rule 6, Section 8, Article 15 – The competitors weight shall be at or below the manufacturer’s pole rating.  The manufacturer must include on each pole:  the pole rating that shall be a minimum of ¾ inch in a contrasting color located within or above the top hand-hold position:  a 1-inch circular band indicatingContinue reading “Pole Labels”

Pole vault coaches often think they are faced with a dilemma. They know what their vaulter weighs. They know that the vaulter can’t vault “the pole” of that flex. And many coaches make this a “binary choice”: do I let the kid vault on a pole he/she can use, and “lie” about their weight, orContinue reading “Ethics and the Pole Vault Coach”

Yesterday was my first outdoor dual for the 2026 season. Because it’s easy to forget, here’s my pre-meet checklist, after I arrive “on the scene” at the starter/referee (only) official. I planned on arriving 90 minutes before the published start time. As it was across town, I gave myself an hour to get there. ButContinue reading “A Dual Meet Checklist”