News and Announcements
The convention speaker schedules are here! Join many of the game’s best at the US Lacrosse National Convention, presented by Champion, for a weekend of learning, networking and renewal as we kick off the 2013 season. The convention, Jan. 11-13, is the largest professional development event in the world for lacrosse coaches, officials and administrators.
Make plans to join us in Philadelphia! Here’s how:
1. Visit uslacrosse.org and click “My Account” in the upper right corner.
2. Enter your username and password. (Help is on that screen if needed.)
3. Mouse over “Events and Clinics” and click “2013 National Convention.”
4. Check any additional sessions you’d like, then click “Add to Cart.”
5. Proceed through the checkout process, and hang onto your confirmation email (all sales final; no refunds).
6. Start thinking cheese whiz or provolone on your steak!
The US Lacrosse Fan Fest Jan. 12 is open to the public at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Doors open 11 a.m.
Hope to see you at the USL Convention!! Please click here for the latest Officials' Schedule. If you are attending Convention and wish to receive meeting credit you must find a board member after the USL interp session Sat @ 9:30.
Frequently Asked Questions- Answered
PWLUA requires that all of our members have official’s membership with US Lacrosse. As a member of a group of working professionals we feel this is essential to stay current with the latest interpretations of rules and gives us educational resources and guidelines as well as insurance.
Where do I get training?
Youth and Adult training has a variety of sessions and opportunities throughout the area. The opportunities provide classroom instruction and on field training. Most of the classes form in January, and on field training is on going for those who miss the classes. No person should feel they cannot be trained for these opportunities.
For classes in your area, contact:
Roberta Butler-Eastern Suburbs-north to Allentown-bertbutz@comcast.net
Nancy Coffman- Western Suburbs- West Chester, Reading- ncoff@verizon.net
How do I become certified to umpire in Pennsylvania?
PIAA is the governing body for HS and MS games in Pennsylvania schools. You must obtain an application from PIAA.org. There is a written test which you must take. This test is given 4 times a year. In June, October and February. At Upper Merion HS or at Belfield Rec Center in Philadelphia. In addition the 4th opportunity is at the PIAA Officials Convention in August. If you miss this test you will be ineligible to umpire school games in Pennsylvania this year.
You must also obtain background checks to umpire in PA. See details on how to obtain the checks by clicking on the HANDOUT TAB.
What if I only want to do youth games?
You can do this if you are trained and certified as a US Lacrosse umpire. To do this you must attend the required meetings, playday and rating session.
What is the uniform and what equipment do I need?
PWLUA takes particular pride in the appearance of our officials. We ask that you be dressed neatly and crisply in the required uniform.
The equipment you need can be obtained from one of the vendors listed in the LINKS section. You will need:
Whistle
Rulebook-provided by US Lacrosse or PIAA
Stripped shirt
Black kilt, shorts or trousers
Black shoes
Yellow Flag
Green, Yellow and Red Cards
Watch
Black hat or visor
Other: Tape measure, umpires manual (available on line), pen or pencil, coin, chapstick, sunscreen.
Why do I have to attend all of these meetings?
PIAA requires that we attend 6 meetings and one interp. meeting. Those not certified by PIAA must attend the minimum of 4 meetings and an interp. meeting. Excellence is maintained by having all members attend meetings for current rules interpretations and explanations. Our board pioneered the format adopted by many boards throughout the country and feel these meetings are necessary to develop the skills and techniques necessary to professionally umpire a lacrosse game.
What is a Playday/Clinic?
The playday/clinic opportunities were developed to help train and evaluate umpires on the field. These are on field experiences where umpires can get experts to watch them and evaluate their skills as well as give feedback for growth in the game.
How do I get games?
After you have been adequately training and can manage a game, you can be assigned to games appropriate for your evaluated level of competence. The assignor for Youth (Eastern Suburbs), all Middle school, High school and Division 2 and 3 games in this area is Roberta Butler- bertbutz@comcast.net . For Division 1 games you must obtain a rating of District or higher. Contact Jen O’Donnell- jjjkod@comcast.net .
