Join us

The OAFO (Ohio Association of Football Officials) is an organization comprised of officials of all areas of football officiating, both past and present.

The purpose of the organization is to:

• Promote good fellowship among members.
• Elevate the standards of officiating consistent with the NCAA football rules and the CCA mechanics.
• Provide correct interpretations of the NCAA football rules.
• Secure a closer cooperation and understanding among intercollegiate and interscholastic football coaches, athletic administrators, the press, and football officials.
• Encourage and assist in the development of football officials
• Foster a high standard of ethics
• Further the interests of football generally by fostering a proper spirit of sportsmanship and fair play

Furthermore, the OAFO works to help out fellow officials by providing the Irish Krieger Scholarship fund, a fund available to the son or daughter of a past or present football official who is registered and in good standing with the OAFO.

Who is eligible to join?

Any person who is currently working as a High School Varsity football official and has an interest in advancing their knowledge of football officiating. 

Associate Member minimum requirements are:

• Must have worked a minimum of 9 High School Varsity games or higher over the past two seasons or worked some mix of High School and College (JV or Varsity) games (see application for evaluation system).
• Must attain a passing score on the OAFO entrance exam.
• Must receive signatures from 6 current OAFO members who have worked with or seen the applicant work a game.

• Two (2) years membership, in good standing, as an Associate member of OAFO.
• Must have worked a minimum of 9 High School Varsity games or higher over the past two seasons or worked some mix of High School and College (JV or Varsity) games (see application for evaluation system).
• Must attain a passing score on the OAFO entrance exam.
• Must receive signatures from 6 current OAFO members who have worked with or seen the applicant work a game.

Why should I join?

The OAFO is an excellent community of aspiring, current, and retired officials. The amount of knowledge held by those in the organization is a priceless resource to be able to tap into to improve your skills as an official at any level of the sport. Members of OAFO include current high school officials, collegiate level Division 3, 2, and 1 officials, and active NFL officials.

Also, being a member gets you into “the know” of local area study groups, discounted rate at the annual OAFO Football Clinic, and invitations to the annual golf outing and awards banquet… all opportunities to advance your career or hone your skills.

How do I join?

In order to join, you need to contact the membership chair for your region of the state of Ohio. For members outside the state of Ohio, please contact the chair of the region closest to the study group you wish to visit most frequently.  Membership chairs can be found on this website by visiting the CONTACT section and choosing the contact for your region.