The Virginia Journal Spring 2017

Leagues, and by working various youth league tournaments around the country. She has officiated a Maryland State Girls Basketball Tournament Championship Game, and has junior college, Division II and Division III officiating experience. An attorney and sports agent legal consultant, Professor Jackson is a member of the faculty in VSU’s HPER Department. 4. Amy Jones Amy Jones began her officiating career in 1989 with the Virginia High School League.She worked the NCAA Divi- sion I First and Second Rounds games. For several years, she served as an official for the Big South, MEAC, ODAC and CIAA Conferences. Jones earned a degree in Physical Education from Davis and Elkins College. 5. Leslie Jones A basketball official for over 35 years, Leslie Jones presently works in Divisions I, II, and III. Since 1998, Jones has offici- ated several Division I Final Fours, Elite Eights, and Sweet Sixteens and “Finals” on the Division II and Division III levels. He earned a degree in Agriculture from VSU. Jones is currently an official in the SEC, Big East, SAC, CAA, Atlantic 10, Conference USA, and SWAC. 6. Philip Moore Phillip Moore is a graduate of VSU’s Sport Management Program where he was a member of the Sport Management Majors Club. He has served as a basketball official for nine years on the high school, collegiate, and professional levels. He spent two years as an official in the NBA Development League and is currently in his fourth year as an NCAA Divi- sion I and Division II official. He is also the Supervisor of Officials for the Ben Wallace Next Level Pro-Am League in Richmond, VA. 7. Danyelle Smith Danyelle Smith is a Health and Physical Education and Driver’s Education teacher at Armstrong High School in Richmond, Virginia. Her officiating career spans nine years on the high school level. She currently serves as a basketball official in the MEAC. Smith is a graduate of VSU’s Sport Marketing Program. She also earned a Master’s Degree in Sport Management from Old Dominion University.

 During a series of participatory sessions, those elite officials interacted with dozens of students, and several members of the VSU administration, faculty, and staff. To get students excited about the clinic, class hours were devoted to studying court posi- tions, mechanics, and rules of the game. The robust agenda for the event is presented below:  Orientation Session – The keynote speaker for this session was Lonnie Blow, VSU’s Head Men’s Basketball Coach, whose team won last year’s 2016 CIAA Basketball Championship and earned a berth in the NCAA Division II Playoffs. Coach Blow’s powerful message on the topic, “Being Prepared for the Job,” set the tone for the remainder of the day.    Following Coach Blow’s presentation, the guest speakers pro- vided an overview of their experiences, discussed the need for students to develop pertinent philosophies and goals, and told students about the vast opportunities that are available for those who are willing to make the type of commitment that is required to become a certified basketball official. Film Session – This segment included a breakdown of authen- tic video footage of selected basketball games that featured the actual officials (Kristina Denson, Amy Jones, and Leslie Jones) who addressed the students. Those in attendance were taught: game management techniques; primary and secondary coverage; the three positions (lead, trail, and center) as an official; why and when to blow the whistle; Les Jones Trying to Make the “Right Call” preventive officiating tips; and the need to demonstrate in- tegrity at all times. Hands-On Session – Under the supervision of the expert offi- cials, students enrolled in Dr. Person’s Coaching and Officiating course, were given opportunities to officiate several basketball games in VSU’s Daniel Gymnasium. Dressed in black and white striped shirts and other professional attire, those students were able to apply the knowledge that they had gained during Dr. Per- son’s class and from the words of wisdom that they had received from the officials’ presentations, to real-life situations. That rich practical experience will serve them well in their quest to become certified basketball officials. Additional real-world experience was gained by students in the Sport Management Majors Club who helped to plan and ex-

ecute the entire clinic. Moreover, students who played in the games were actual members of VSU’s outstanding Intramural Basketball Program. Reflection Session – During this final session, students received critiques of their performance and words of encouragement from the expert officials and Dr. Person. They were also advised to “stay with it” by making a commitment to go to camps, watch videos, gain additional practical experience, communicate with experienced coaches and officials, and to en- gage in other endeavors that will heighten their opportunities to be-

Kristina Denson teaches students how to use proper mechanics to "Make the Right Call"

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