Why Officiate?
- To earn a few extra dollars.
- To further develop your skating skills.
- To gain a better understanding of the game.
- To help out youth hockey in the Coulee Region.
- To develop interpersonal skills.
What's required?
- New officials start out as a USA Hockey certified Level 1 official after they:
- Attend a USA Hockey seminar.
- Register with USA Hockey.
- Pass an open book exam.
- Register with the Wisconsin Hockey Officials Association (WHOA) to officiate in Wisconsin.
How do you get started?
To become a USA Hockey official (necessary to officiate games anywhere in the United States):
- Attend a USA Hockey seminar. There are approximately 50 seminars in the state of Wisconsin (more than any other USA Hockey district); about half of these are Level 1 seminars. The seminar season runs from early August to mid November. Level 1 attendees are required to bring skates and a helmet; if you have some type of whistle, bring that also. All registration forms are available at these seminars. At the seminar you will receive basic instruction, both on and off ice, on how to officiate a USA Hockey game. You will also receive a USA Hockey Basic Officials Manual. A complete list of seminars in Wisconsin may be found at the WHOA web site.
- Mail registration form and fee ($30) to USA Hockey. USA Hockey will send a USA Hockey Rules Book and an open book exam based on the Rules Book.
- Complete and pass the open book exam and return it to USA Hockey. USA Hockey will send you your officiating card and sweater crest for the 2001-2002 hockey season.
- Join Wisconsin Hockey Officials Association (necessary to officiate games in Wisconsin):
- Complete a WHOA registration form. These forms are available at the seminars and through WHOA.
- Mail the WHOA registration form and fee ($10) to WHOA (or pay online via credit card).
More detailed information regarding the process of becoming an official in Wisconsin may be found at the WHOA web site.
Onalaska's referee scheduler is Denise Knutson.