Section Tells Referees: Times Tough All Over

Agitated volleyball officials may not receive pay raises because schools cannot foot the bill for an increase.

The Southern California Volleyball Officials Assn. is threatening a job action May 10, the first day of boys’ volleyball playoffs.

But Bill Clark, Southern Section assistant commissioner of athletics, said a solution with the SCVOA is not guaranteed.

“We have had some real financial problems in education recently,” said Clark, who acknowledged that a meeting has been arranged with the SCVOA on April 15.

“We’ve been cutting back on teams and coaching positions. Schools as a whole are really experiencing this crunch.”

There are increases and decreases in proposed volleyball officiating fees for the 1996-97 season, a “shifting of the numbers,” said one SCVOA administrator.

A referee who works a freshman-junior varsity-varsity tripleheader will make the same ($70) next season, as will a referee who works a varsity match ($40).

But the SCVOA is calling for increases across the board.

“California is one of the few places where officials do this for a living,” said SCVOA council chairman Tom Fakehany.

“I’ve got a bunch of frustrated officials. A dollar makes a difference in some people’s lives.”

A letter sent to more than 700 referees in the association asked members their opinion of a potential job action.

If the SCVOA is dissatisfied after its April 15 meeting with the Southern Section officials’ fees committee, it could state its case to the Southern Section council on April 25.

If conflict is still present, Fakehany said a strike is possible.

That could leave parks and recreation officials as potential replacements for the playoffs.

Said Clark: “This is a pretty tough time for everybody.”