Inter-Athletic Council of Officials | Promoting Quality High School Officiating throughout the state of Illinois and beyond for over 30 years!

2026 IACO Basketball Clinic – Shot Clock & Rule Changes

Oct 28, 2026 | Basketball, Clinic

Registration is now open for the 2026 IACO Basketball Clinic. Secure your spot today!

The 2026 IACO Basketball Clinic focuses on the biggest rule change in many years for high school basketball: the shot clock. The shot clock will be used in all varsity contests, and some conferences are using it in lower-level games. Every official needs to understand the shot clock procedures and rules. We will also cover the rule changes for the upcoming season, get you ready for the court with a mechanics review, and help you break down your game preparation.

DATE	Saturday, November 7, 2026
TIME	Registration 7:30 AM; clinic 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
LOCATION	Wheaton North High School, 701 Thomas Rd, Wheaton, IL
COST	$25 online / $35 at the door

Presenters

Fred Allman – Clinician, Rules Interpreter, State Final Official, Assigner
Dave Lopshire – IACO Clinic Chairman, CHSBA Lead Administrator, State Final Official
Joe Spagnolo – Clinician, Assigner, Varsity Coach
Deveon Stiff – Clinician, Rules Interpreter, State Final Official
Randy Wilson – Clinician, State Final Official, IACO President

Schedule

7:30 AM	Registration
8:00 AM	Opening Introduction & Welcome – All Participants
8:05 AM	Rule Changes
8:30 AM	General Mechanics
9:00 AM	Video Review
9:55 AM	Break
10:00 AM	Shot Clock
11:00 AM	Heightened Awareness: Officiating Today’s Game
11:30 AM	On-Court Mechanics – Three-Person and Two-Person groups
11:50 AM	Clinic Codes

Questions? Contact Dave Lopshire, IACO Clinic Chairman.

See you November 7th!
IACO Basketball Clinic Committee

2026 IACO Football Clinic – Level 1 & 2

Jun 12, 2026 | Clinic, Football

Registration is now open for the 2026 IACO Football Clinic – secure your spot for this premier training event.

55th Annual IACO Football Clinic

DATE	Saturday, August 1, 2026
TIME	8:00 AM – 1:00 PM Check-in begins at 7:00 AM
LOCATION	Naperville North High School
CLINIC LEVELS	Level 1 – New and developing officials Level 2 – Experienced officials seeking advanced training Select your level during registration based on your experience.
AFFILIATED ORGANIZATION	Inter-Athletic Council of Officials (IACO) Supported by the Illinois High School Association (IHSA)
COST	$35.00 in advance / $45.00 after July 30 & at the door

Level 1 Clinicians

Larry Newberry and Tim Lucas will lead the Level 1 clinic sessions for new and developing officials.

Level 2 Speakers & Schedule

The Level 2 clinic features several area assigners, Conference Assignment Chairmen, and State Final officials:

Speakers: Jeffrey Conrad – Assigner & IHSA Clinician, Marvelon Dampeer – IHSA Rule Interpreter & Clinician, Octavio Herrera – Assigner & IHSA Clinician, Tim Loughnane – Assigner & IHSA Clinician, Joe Ewers – Assigner & State Final Official, Tom Hall – State Final Official & NCAA Replay Official, Mike Cunningham – Assigner, Dan Dronzek – State Final Official & IHSA Clinician, Will Hart – Quarterfinal Official

In-Person Schedule – August 1st

8:00 AM – 8:30 AM	Opening Remarks – IHSA Head Clinician Rick Karhliker & New Rules & Mechanics – Jeff Conrad & Mike Cunningham
8:30 AM – 9:15 AM	Mandatory Topics #1 – ALL – Main Auditorium Game Management – Mike Cunningham
9:15 AM – 9:30 AM	Break #1
9:30 AM – 10:15 AM	Mechanics Breakout Sessions (Select One) – 1st Session • Referee & Umpire – Joe Ewers & Tom Hall • Wings & Back Judge – Dan Dronzek & Tim Loughnane
10:15 AM – 10:30 AM	Break #2
10:30 AM – 11:15 AM	Electives (Select One) – 2nd Session • Touchdown/Touchback/Safety – Tom Hug & Will Hart • Onside Kicks – Marv Dampeer • Run Pass Option – Tim Loughnane
11:15 AM – 11:30 AM	Break #3
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM	Mandatory Topic #2 – ALL – Main Auditorium Safety Fouls – Jeff Conrad

Vendor Giveaways

Through collaboration with our partners, IACO will offer generous clinic discounts and gift cards from Purchase Officials & Gerry Davis Sports.

Questions? Contact:
• Octavio Herrera – octavio [at] oherrera [dot] com
• Marv Dampeer – mdampeer67 [at] yahoo [dot] com

See you August 1st!

2026 Football Officiating Training Class

Jun 9, 2026 | Uncategorized

REGISTRATION CLOSED – The 2026 Football Officiating Training Class is now full and no longer accepting new signups. The class information below is provided for reference only.

The Football Officials Training Class prepares participants by covering game rules, play situations, penalty enforcement, timing and positioning through presentations and film review. After completion of the class and earning an IHSA (Illinois High School Association) sports officiating license, you will have the opportunity to be assigned to officiate high school football games for the upcoming season. Officials with 1-3 years experience are also welcome to participate and are encouraged to advance their skills.

Football Officials Training CLASS

DATES	Tuesdays, July 7th – August 11th, 2026 (6 weeks) *** New material is presented at each session
TIME	7:00 – 9:00 PM
LOCATION	Classes will be held online via ZOOM. Your computer, tablet, etc. needs certain capabilities and a camera and microphone to properly participate.
CLASS & LICENSING	Class is FREE! If you are brand new to officiating and age 15-60+, apply for your 1st IHSA License through this class to receive a FREE Promo Code (normally $80). This offer is NOT available if you register directly through the IHSA website or if you have ever held a license in any IHSA sport previously. Requests for the Promo Code must be made to the Class Administrator at the beginning of the July 7th or 14th classes only.
CLINICS & CLASSES	This CLASS does NOT earn Clinic Credit. Training CLASSES and Clinics are separate entities. IACO offers an in-person Certified IHSA Level 1 & Level 2 Clinic… 55th Annual Football Clinic Saturday, August 1, 2026 \| 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM Location: Naperville North High School Class attendees with 2 or less years licensed must register during the CLASS to receive a reduced fee of only $20 to attend the clinic & earn clinic credit (otherwise $35 register online / $45 at the door).
REGISTRATION	CLOSED – Class is full and no longer accepting new signups.

Registration Closed

The 2026 Football Officiating Training Class is now closed to new signups.
Class is full and we are no longer accepting new registrations.

Questions? Email sportsofficiating [at] yahoo [dot] com

Beginning Umpire Clinic

Dec 31, 2025 | Baseball, Clinic, Softball

Saturday Jan 31 & Saturday February 7 9am-1pm

Location: Online via Zoom

Each Participant must be logged in using their own device in order to answer surveys and to ensure attendance.

The purpose of the IACO Beginning Umpire Clinic is to prepare new officials (1-3 years of experience) and assist them in completing their first season as either a Baseball or Softball umpire. Topics will include:

* A discussion of necessary equipment and uniforms

* Expectations of new officials

* Conducting a proper pregame meeting

* 1 umpire mechanics for baseball and softball

* Pitching rules for baseball and softball

* An overview of the most common definitions and rules

* How to read and interpret rules, rulebooks and casebooks.

The idea is to not overwhelm new officials with information, but to give them the confidence to get on the field, get the job done and gain experience for higher levels of officiating.

Officials that attend the class should be able to receive Level 1 credit for either baseball or softball. All officials are welcome to attend, but understand that this class is focussed on Beginning Umpires.

Basketball Level 1, In-Person Clinic

Oct 1, 2025 | Basketball, Clinic

IACO Basketball Clinic – Level 1

Saturday, November 8, 2025

Clinic Registration – $35

Schaumburg High School, 1100 W. Schaumburg Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60194

7:30am – 8:00am: Registration / Vendors

8:00am – 9:30am: Opening Introduction Welcome – All Participants

- 8:00 – Opening Introduction
- 8:10 – 2025-26 Rule Changes
- 8:40 – Professionalism & Teamwork
- 9:05 – Arbiter Management
- 9:25 – Break – Move to Break Outs

9:30am – 11:25am: Three-Person Breakout

- 9:30 – General Mechanics
- 10:00 – Sideline Wide Ball Level Trail
- 10:15 – Pre-Game
- 10:30 – Video Review
- 11:10 – Break – Move to Court
- 11:15 – On-Court Mechanics
- 11:50 – Clinic Codes

9:30am – 11:25am: Two-Person Breakout

- 9:30 – Officiating Basics
- 9:45 – General Mechanics
- 10:15 – Pre-Game
- 10:30 – Video Review
- 11:00 – Break – Move to Court
- 11:05 – On-Court Mechanics
- 11:45 – Clinic Codes

11:55 – Closing Remarks

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