The Arizona Football Officials Association

e-Mentor Program

Welcome to the e-Mentor Program for the 2009 football season. There have been minor changes regarding the Mentor Program, promotion criteria and Fr/JV scheduling. These changes will hopefully make your path to certification even more rewarding than in the past. Please familiarize yourself with this new program and its criteria. The evaluation process will make you a better official and it is our only means of recommending advancement to the AIA for the following season. If you need help before, during or after the season, don't hesitate to contact Steve Huddleson or an AzFOA Board member. We would love to hear from you. Have a great season!

Follow the process below to receive evaluations:

Give a card to all certified officials at every the game you work (except flag games). The card should include your name, date of game, and game site.
If you have not received the evaluation on email within 48 hours, contact that certified official by phone or email. You can get this information form the AzFOA.org website under the Directory of Officials button once you sign in on the member page.
If no evaluation 48 hours after contacting the certified official, contact anyone on the AzFOA Board. You can find this on the home page of AzFOA.org on the left.

Level 5's - This is the only classification that can be moved to a "certified" position during the season by the AIA. A Level 5 may work Varsity games and qualify for playoffs if they have been certified prior to the end of the season. In order to move to a certified position the level 5 must participate in the Mentor Program (even if they are working a Varsity schedule) and in addition must complete the following minimums:

Attend to KO Meeting
Score 90% or higher on the test
Receive a minimum of 10 evaluations
3.50 average on evaluations received
Attend 4 rules classes (attend any of the certified area meeting sites)
Attend a MANDATORY mechanics clinic at Moon Valley HS (date on AzFOA.org)
Officiating 101 Class

Level 2’s – Will not change classification until the end of the season. A level 2 is eligible to work Varsity games, if assigned by the AIA but will not qualify for playoffs. A level 2 may dress out for Varsity games and can be used as an alternate. In order to move to a certified position the level 2 must participate in the Mentor Program (even if they are working a Varsity schedule) and in addition must complete the following minimums:

Attend to KO Meeting
Score 90% or higher on the test
Receive a minimum of 10 evaluations
3.50 average on evaluations received
Attend 4 rules classes (attend any of the certified area meeting sites)
Attend a MANDATORY mechanics clinic at Moon Valley HS (date on AzFOA.org)

Level 3’s – Are not able to work Varsity games unless assigned directly by the AIA. Are not able to dress for a game as alternate but it is strongly recommended that a 3 attend several varsity contests, attend pre-game, halftime discussions and post game discussions (with the Varsity Crew Chiefs permission). In order to move up to a level 2, the level 3 must participate in the Mentor Program and complete the following minimums:

Attend the KO Meeting
Score 85% or higher on the test
Receive a minimum of 8 evaluations
3.25 average on evaluations received
Attend 5 rules classes at the AIA 3’s/4’s Classes

Level 4’s – Are not able to work Varsity games. It is strongly recommended that a 4 attend several varsity contests, attend pre-game, halftime discussions and post game discussions (with the Varsity Crew Chiefs permission). In order to move up to a level 3, the level 4 must participate in the Mentor Program and complete the following minimums:

Attend the KO Meeting
Score 80% or higher on the test
Receive a minimum of 5 evaluations
3.00 average on evaluations received
Attend 6 rules classes at the AIA 3’s/4’s meetings
Attend 101 class (PVWH)

"NO official, (except Level 5), will be allowed to "skip" any level in the process." The procedure for promotion is as follows: AzFOA recommendations for promotion are given to the AIA. The Area Commissioner, Jeanie Kosower, then determines your classification, with final approval by the State Commissioner, Gary Whelchel. The only football games that will not be used in evaluations are "flag" games all other football games can and should be evaluated.