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"Behind the Stripes" is written by veteran WIAA official B.J. Ligocki, an active message board poster who has helped many people on the forum with rules questions and clarifications over the years. The purpose of this feature is to help educate readers on any rules changes, clarify procedures and rules, provide case studies and examples, and answer any questions people may have on officiating or rules.

Feel free to email any rules or officiating questions you have at flagthrow3r@gmail.com for inclusion in future articles.

B.J. Ligocki:  Football (Master Level - 10 yrs - State Championship); Basketball (Level 5 -18 years - Regional); Baseball/Softball (Level 5 - 18 years - Regional)

As exciting as football playoff time can be projecting brackets, picking favorites, and seeding meetings, it can be just as tense and exciting for football officials. Officials are selected by the WIAA to officiate the playoffs using a number of criteria and these assignments come out in mid to late September for the first 4 rounds. And either after the final week or early in the playoffs, 7 crews will be selected, and receive a call from the WIAA informing them of their status as state championship officials.

The WIAA officials guide states:

1. To be on the ranking list for football, a crew must meet the following criteria: 
a) at least two members of the crew must be L5 or Master;
b) if only two members of the crew are L5 or Master, one other member 
must be L4; and 
c) the aggregate years that the crew members have been licensed must be at least 25. Crews containing
reciprocity officials are not eligible for playoff consideration.

2. Coaches evaluations serve as a starting point in tournament selections. Experience, classification, prior WIAA tournament experience, number of varsity games worked during current season and other criteria are considered.

3. Every attempt is made to use as many qualified crews as possible.  Final contracts are issued on the basis of geography with first consideration given to crews who are ranked “above average” in comparison to statewide averages.

For those unfamiliar with WIAA officiating, officials are given a level ranking from L0 (first year, no experience) to L5 and then Master level. Generally, officials advance one level each year as long as they meet the filing deadlines and attain an acceptable score on the annual open book test. Also from L4-Master level, a certain number of varsity contests must be worked to maintain or advance to the next level and a second test is taken.

The most important factor, we have been told, in selecting playoff crews are the ratings given by coaches. Coaches are allowed to rate each crew, as a group, once per game officiated. Conference commissioners are also allowed to rate a crew that works in their conference. The ratings given are from 0-6, and an extremely low score must be given an explanation. The averages for the state the last few years have been 4.6 (2013), 4.4(2014), and 4.3(2015). Crews being considered for level 4 or State games are also usually observed by a WIAA representative to check on things like appearance, mechanics, and game management at some point during the season. But in general, observations are not common.

Crews selected for the playoffs are given a maximum of 2 games and again the level of the games is based largely on ratings, past performance, and availability. Crews that are selected for multiple weeks are identified using their three-year rating average, the years of experience, the years of playoff experience, the years of state experience, and personal observations. The crews are informed of what levels they will be working in Sept. and then which specific games are announced the Monday or Tuesday of that week. Exactly how each crew is chosen for which game isn’t published, but geography seems to be the biggest factor. Also if a crew has worked a team during the regular season, they generally do not see them again in the playoffs. Officials are asked to block out schools they feel may be a conflict for a playoff assignment, such as their alma mater or a school a family member is attending.

State tournament officials are assigned games somewhat differently. In a talk given by an official in the WIAA, it was described that in selecting which division a crew will work, state tournament and championship experience is the biggest factor. First time crews will generally get the lower division games, while crews that may have been chosen once or twice before will do the middle games and crews with multiple appearances are awarded the upper division games. This is not a reflection of skill level necessarily, but a desire to have more experienced officials in games that have a higher profile. Another factor in assigning crews to championship games is the divisions which they officiate during the regular season. I’m sure there are always exceptions for multiple reasons, but this is what can be expected most years. In an effort to reward the work of many crews throughout the state, a crew is eligible to work a finals game once every 4 years.

Being chosen to work the finals is a great experience. As it is for the players and coaches, the game goes fast but will be remembered. Officials are admitted to the press box both days with refreshments. A hotel room is provided if they are working the early or late game and mileage is paid for one driver (a rarity in Wisconsin officiating). Aside from a pregame conference with WIAA Deputy Director and football chair on expectations, the crew is allowed to go through their own routines and procedures and work the game as they see fit. One of the great things about working games later in the playoffs is because of how well the players are coached and perform, there are usually even fewer penalties to be called.

Congratulations to the officials that will be selected this year and good luck.