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SPRING 2017 • VAHPERD • 21
Leagues, and by working various youth league tournaments
around the country. She has officiated a Maryland State Girls
Basketball Tournament Championship Game, and has junior
college, Division II and Division III officiating experience. An
attorney and sports agent legal consultant, Professor Jackson
is a member of the faculty in VSU’s HPER Department.
4. Amy Jones
Amy Jones began her officiating career in 1989 with the
Virginia High School League.She worked the NCAA Divi-
sion I First and Second Rounds games. For several years,
she served as an official for the Big South, MEAC, ODAC
and CIAA Conferences. Jones earned a degree in Physical
Education from Davis and Elkins College.
5. Leslie Jones
A basketball official for over 35 years, Leslie Jones presently
works in Divisions I, II, and III. Since 1998, Jones has offici-
ated several Division I Final Fours, Elite Eights, and Sweet
Sixteens and “Finals” on the Division II and Division III
levels. He earned a degree in Agriculture from VSU. Jones
is currently an official in the SEC, Big East, SAC, CAA,
Atlantic 10, Conference USA, and SWAC.
6. Philip Moore
Phillip Moore is a graduate of VSU’s Sport Management
Program where he was a member of the Sport Management
Majors Club. He has served as a basketball official for nine
years on the high school, collegiate, and professional levels.
He spent two years as an official in the NBA Development
League and is currently in his fourth year as an NCAA Divi-
sion I and Division II official. He is also the Supervisor of
Officials for the Ben Wallace Next Level Pro-Am League in
Richmond, VA.
7. Danyelle Smith
Danyelle Smith is a Health and Physical Education and
Driver’s Education teacher at Armstrong High School in
Richmond, Virginia. Her officiating career spans nine years
on the high school level. She currently serves as a basketball
official in the MEAC. Smith is a graduate of VSU’s Sport
Marketing Program. She also earned a Master’s Degree in
Sport Management from Old Dominion University.
During a series of participatory sessions, those elite officials
interacted with dozens of students, and several members of the
VSU administration, faculty, and staff. To get students excited
about the clinic, class hours were devoted to studying court posi-
tions, mechanics, and rules of the game. The robust agenda for
the event is presented below:
Orientation Session –
The keynote speaker for this session
was Lonnie Blow, VSU’s Head Men’s Basketball Coach, whose
team won last year’s 2016 CIAA Basketball Championship and
earned a berth in the NCAA Division II Playoffs. Coach Blow’s
powerful message on the topic, “Being Prepared for the Job,” set
the tone for the remainder of the day.
Following Coach Blow’s presentation, the guest speakers pro-
vided an overview of their experiences, discussed the need for
students to develop pertinent philosophies and goals, and told
students about the vast opportunities that are available for those
who are willing to make the type of commitment that is required
to become a certified basketball official.
Film Session –
This segment included a breakdown of authen-
tic video footage of selected basketball games that featured the
actual officials (Kristina Denson, Amy Jones, and Leslie Jones)
who addressed the students. Those in attendance were taught:
game management techniques; primary and secondary coverage;
the three positions (lead, trail, and center) as an official; why and
when to blow the whistle;
Les Jones Trying to Make the “Right
Call”
preventive officiating tips; and the need to demonstrate in-
tegrity at all times.
Hands-On Session –
Under the
supervision of the expert offi-
cials, students enrolled in Dr. Person’s Coaching and Officiating
course, were given opportunities to officiate several basketball
games in VSU’s Daniel Gymnasium. Dressed in black and white
striped shirts and other professional attire, those students were
able to apply the knowledge that they had gained during Dr. Per-
son’s class and from the words of wisdom that they had received
from the officials’ presentations, to real-life situations. That rich
practical experience will serve them well in their quest to become
certified basketball officials.
Additional real-world experience was gained by students in
the Sport Management Majors Club who helped to plan and ex-
ecute the entire clinic. Moreover,
students who played in the games
were actual members of VSU’s
outstanding Intramural Basketball
Program.
Reflection Session –
During
this final session, students received
critiques of their performance and
words of encouragement from the
expert officials and Dr. Person.
They were also advised to “stay
with it” by making a commitment
to go to camps, watch videos, gain
additional practical experience,
communicate with experienced
coaches and officials, and to en-
gage in other endeavors that will
heighten their opportunities to be-
Kristina Denson teaches students how to use proper mechanics to "Make the Right Call"