Even though we are at the mid-point of the indoor season, the MTFOA needs to be looking forward to the spring track season.  Here are some important topics that I want to bring to your attention and urge you to take action on as soon as possible.

• SPRING CLINIC  

Learning from our successful pre-winter season clinic, we have decided to offer a pre-spring clinic on Thursday, March 15 at 7:00 p.m. at the Reggie Lewis Center.  The primary focus of this clinic will be on preparing officials to deal with the unique conditions and experiences they will encounter when officiating at spring track meets.  We know from past experience that outdoor meets are very different and offer unique challenges for our members.

Suggestions for specific topics or offers to be involved in the activities of this clinic should be sent to Peter Meagher at PMeag21103@aol.com

• ANNUAL DINNER

The dinner committee has been working very hard putting together a fun-filled evening including the now-famous door prize raffle.  Now is the time for members to reserve their tickets.  The dinner is at the Quincy Marriott Hotel on Thursday, March 22 at 7:00 p.m.  The cost is $40.  Your check, made payable to MTFOA, should be mailed to Peter Meagher at 19 Barclay Road, West Roxbury, MA, 02132.  Of course, when you see Peter at Reggie Lewis, you could save yourself a stamp and hand him your check directly.

• CONCUSSION TRAINING

The latest interpretation of the Massachusetts law concerning concussion training for sports officials indicates that ALL officials must complete this training on a yearly basis.  Those that hire officials can ask individual officials for proof of this training. If you have not already done so, you are very strongly urged to complete this training as soon as possible.  A free training course can be found at www.nfhslearn.com, which is the National Federation of High Schools website.  For additional information, please go to our own website, MTFOA.com/resources. Note: When completing the training, print for your own records a copy of your certificate of completion.  

• JIM WILCOX

I am sure that many of us have missed seeing Jim Wilcox at track meets this winter.  Jim has been hospitalized and is now at Mass. General Hospital.  I am sure he would appreciate hearing from you.  The MGH address is 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114.  His room is Ellison 9-#926 and should be noted on the envelope.