Question 1

What are the requirements to join KISOA?

Accepted Answer

There are several requirements to join KISOA.  They include but are not limited to:
■ Obtaining a minimum score of 75% on the written qualification examination.
■ 3 years of game experience at the High School level (KSHSAA) or higher and a total of at least 25 games at this level.
■ 2 field performance assessments at an acceptable level.  The referee training camp assessments may satisfy this requirement.
■ Take and pass the physical fitness test.
■ Submit all dues and fees.
■ Be at least 18 years of age.
■ All applicants must apply through a local chapter.

Question 2

How do I get games?

Accepted Answer

Games are acquired by first becoming a registered member within the KISOA chapter. From there the current chapter assignor will assign games through arbitersports.com. A registered account through arbiter is necessary before receiving assignments. Once you are assigned games, you will either receive and email or text (depending on your preference settings) that notifies you when you've received an assignment. You must either accept the game(s), or decline and provide a reason for doing so. The chapter will share your information with regional conference assignors.

Question 3

How many games am I entitled to receive each year?

Accepted Answer

​Game assignments are the prerogative of the local chapter, local or conference assignor.  Membership does not guarantee intercollegiate game assignments; however, there are hundreds of positions needed to be filled throughout the season, so be sure to submit availability early to guarantee more games.

Question 4

What does NISOA do for me?

Accepted Answer

■ Arbiter Sports Registration- Every member of NISOA is registered with the NCAA without an increase to NISOA dues.
​■ Liability Insurance - A $1 million policy that covers the member on any intercollegiate game they officiate. (with exceptions)​
■ Education & Training - Training Academy, Regional Clinics, Local Training, the NISOA Website.

Question 5

How can I advance in NISOA as a referee?

Accepted Answer

There are many ways to advance.  One is obtaining a mentor from within the local chapter and setting goals for your refereeing career.  Another is to seek out opportunities to work with top officials in the chapter so they can observe your skills and recommend advancement. Getting assessments throughout the season allows for the chapter to learn more about your performance. Proper management of pregame responsibilites and post game responsibilites is a good way to work your way up.

Question 6

What referee gear do I need?

Accepted Answer

NISOA sponsored referee jerseys and shorts are required in order to officiate collegiate games. One stripe socks are also required; however, if all members of the crew have to make accomodations to match, 3-stripe socks can be worn.
 
These items can be found at: https://officialsports.com/

Question 7

What is a conference?

Accepted Answer

The sports structure starts with an association who organizes conferences. The association is the controlling body and the conferences organizes the teams. USA has three associations: NCAA, NAIA and NJCCA. They all have conferences that play in Kansas.  See conferences (javascript:void(0))a more detailed list of which conferences uses KISOA referees.

Question 8

Who is on the board?

Accepted Answer

The current board of KISOA is found at this link (https://www.kisoareferee.org/executive-board).

Question 9

When and why do I need to attend these meetings?

Accepted Answer

Attendence at meetings are part of the requirements in order to be an active member in good standing of KISOA. These meetings are scheduled before and after the season, as well as a spring meeting during off time.

Question 10

How to contact the assignor?

Accepted Answer

There are a couple of assignors who will assign games in our area, see assignors page under conferences. All assignors work first from an email you will need to send to establish contact.  See the assignors page under member only section for details.

Question 11

What questions should I cover in my email with the site/coach/AD for the game

Accepted Answer

This somewhat a dynamic questions as each year these questions will come up that is unique for ‘that’ year. First and foremost if you are working a double header, the men’s middle will take lead on the emailing and confirming the matches. If you are the woman middle for that double header, it’s ok to reach out the coach for your game to confirm if you want to. While each game day has it’s own game day questions, here are some basic questions you should make sure a cover:
 
1. Confirm the game times for both Men and Women -or- for your match. Many times the ‘other’ coach does not know the exact schedule for the the ‘other’ team.
2. Confirm if there will be a locker room for the crew.
3. Confirm the onsite administrator.
4. If bad weather is forcasted, ask to confirm if there is a plan to postpone or delay the start.
 
Remember these are just a few examples. Feel free to explore your own questions. Just keep them professional.

Question 12

What is the rule difference between NCAA and the conferences?

Accepted Answer

The NCAA is the governing body and has the final say on all rules. They will determin if we adminastered a rule correclty or not. Some conferences has some modifications to the NCAA Rule Book but those are based on if they are a 2 year school or a 4 year school. See the FAQ "What is the differences between 2 year schools and 4 year schools".

Question 13

What is the rule differences between 2 year schools and 4 year schools

Accepted Answer

Both 2 and 4 year schools follow the NCAA Rule Book with these two exceptsions:
 
2 Year Schools:  Unlimited Sub's. *
Read the policy here(https://d2o2figo6ddd0g.cloudfront.net/n/z/sqtmiw794rxije/NJCAA_Handbook_-_Sport_Codes_-_08-05-21.pdf)
* all other substitution rules apply such as 'must be ready', no jewerly, etc. Please review the rules for substituting. 
 
** See NCAA rules on substituting with respect to jewerly, injury, blood or an injury with a YC.

Question 14

Do you have a templete for emailing the coach?

Accepted Answer

This somewhat a dynamic questions as each year these questions will come up that is unique for ‘that’ year. First and foremost if you are working a double header, the men’s middle will take lead on the emailing and confirming the matches. If you are the woman middle for that double header, it’s ok to reach out the coach for your game to confirm if you want to. While each game day has it’s own game day questions, here are some basic questions you should make sure a cover:
 
Confirm the game times for both Men and Women -or- for your match. Many times the ‘other’ coach does not know the exact schedule for the the ‘other’ team.
Confirm if there will be a locker room for the crew.
Confirm the onsite administrator.
 
Remember these are just a few examples. Feel free to explore your own questions. Just keep them professional.
 
It is important to remember that each game day will have it’s own need for unique questions, nevertheless, this is a good start:
 
If you are working a double header and are the mens middle:
 
~~~~~~~~~~~ Email templete 
 
Coach (insert name),
 
I will the center referee for the upcoming match against [insert team]. I wanted to reach out to confirm a few items so if you wouldn’t mind replying I would appreciate it.
 
Can you confirm the woman’s game is still on and set to start at XX:XXpm and the Men’s will follow at XX:XXpm or 30 minutes following the conclusion of the woman’s match?
 
We plan to arrive 1 hour before start time (for the first game), can you confirm if someone will be there to meet us? Will there be a locker room available for us to change?
 
Is there anything unique about the game we should know about?
 
Thank you for your time,
 
Referee Name.

Question 15

How do I pay my dues?

Accepted Answer

As of 2024 we currently accept cash, check and credit card payments via our web store (hosted by square) at https://kisoa-wichita.square.site/s/shop.(https://kisoa-wichita.square.site/s/shop)    In the web store you can pay your dues and your assessment fee.

Question 16

How do I pay my Assessment fee?

Accepted Answer

As of 2024 we currently accept cash, check and credit card payments via our web store (hosted by square) at https://kisoa-wichita.square.site/s/shop.(https://kisoa-wichita.square.site/s/shop)    In the web store you can pay your dues and your assessment fee.

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