The NYCHA-NFL Officiating Academy recently completed its sophomore year. The six-week-long summer program provides residents ages 17-24 with training as football officials. The goal is for participants to get jobs in local football organizations after they graduate. But ultimately, the Academy intends to groom future National Football League referees.
“It’s a good learning experience with good teachers and great mentors,” said Charles Cooper, a resident of Redfern Houses in Queens. “If you’re really into it you can get into the NFL.”
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| NYCHA Chairman John B. Rhea addresses Officiating Academy participants. (Photo by Leticia Barboza) |
During the Academy’s last session on Aug. 17, participants hit the field at Roy Wilkins Park in Jamaica, Queens for a scrimmage game. Many youth football leagues and semi-pro teams practice at the park. While players scrimmage and get ready for their games, the aspiring referees get a chance to put their skills to the test, calling the plays in real time. “There is no greater teacher than experience itself,” Trevor Jaha, life skills instructor for the program, told the participants before the scrimmage.
Program graduate and current mentor Justin Calnan agrees. “Reading the rules and being on the field is a totally different ballgame,” he said. Mr. Calnan, who works for NYCHA as a Caretaker at Berry Houses in Staten Island, successfully completed the inaugural program last year and currently interns for the NFL as an assistant in the Academy.
After the scrimmage, the Academy participants reviewed what they learned in their final class and received parting remarks from NYCHA Chairman John B. Rhea. “It is our hope that this program will not only be a gateway to an officiating career, but that it will also be a gateway to living your lives with passion, courage and determination – wherever your dreams and your hard work lead,” said Chairman Rhea.
When asked what they have taken away from the program in addition to theory and practice, participants agreed that they also acquired “time management, discipline and professionalism,” which are all valuable skills they can apply on the job and throughout their lives.
Program graduates have the opportunity start officiating youth football league games and NFL flag football games, and can take the Public School Athletic League (PSAL) certification exam. This is the next step in the process that will qualify the young adults to referee high school games.
Mr. Calnan has officiated 10 youth games and has his sights on taking the PSAL certification exam. “I’m not ready yet, but when I am, I will take it,” he said.
By Khadeem Hughson and Zodet Negrón
Aug. 24, 2011
View photos from the NYCHA - NFL Officiating Academy
