Northern Officials Association - Lake County, Illinois - Newsletter

Membership Index

Week of August 17 2026 - Message to all Members

From: Jim Gauger, Director of Communications<This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>

Message to all Members

Welcome New Members!

This fall, we are recruiting many new NOA members, including both first-time officials and experienced officials in all sports. Please welcome them to our Association. If you know anyone interested in joining this first-class group, please share This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. contact information as Director of Membership or direct them to our website for more details.

Welcome our new Basketball Members this week:

James Schnell Isaac Vega

Brandon Stanton Kyle Eckhart

Trace Batesky

All new officials should contact Steve Elkinton to begin their personal journey with the NOA and IHSA officiating.

This Week at the NOA!

Message to Football Officials

Here's what's scheduled this week

Live Practice Mentoring Sessions
We still have one more date of on-field live snaps training this Tuesday, August 18 at Carmel Catholic High School (1 Carmel Parkway) in Mundelein. Newer officials can attend and learn and from veteran officials. This practice runs from 5 to 7 pm. Come equipped with your official uniform (shorts OK), whistle, flag, and beanbag.

Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you would like to train/mentor or to receive

more information.

Level 2 IHSA Certified Football Clinic @ Vernon Hills High School

This week, the NOA will host an IHSA certified Level 2 Football clinic. The clinic begins at 6:00 pm. Those seeking clinic credit must attend the entire session. Join us in the Library at VHHS for this great session. Your Clinician will be Dave Butts, an NOA State Finals Official.

Note, there will not be a Football or Flag Football regular meeting this week.

On all other NOA Football matters, please reach out to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any comments or questions.

Have a great week!

Message to Flag Officials

Have a great Season!

Flag Football regular meetings have concluded for this season. However, we will continue to present important information as it becomes available.

Keep working on getting your IHSA Requirements met. Some Assignors will begin de-listing Officials who are non-compliant. Check Arbiter and the IHSA Officials Center for the latest information.

Special Olympics of Illinois (SOIL)

Special Olympics Illinois hosts the Region A Flag Football Competition on Sunday, October 4th at Huskie Stadium at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL. Special Olympics of Illinois requested the NOA to reach out to its membership to request you to serve as an official on that day. This competition features teams from 5 northern regions in Illinois and 29 teams are scheduled to take part in the competition. SOIL plans to have games starting every hour beginning at 9:00 AM. Four games will be taking place concurrently.

Please feel free to share this with other Flag Football officials interested in officiating that day. We are always looking for qualified Officials who can enhance the athlete's experience while receiving the gratitude and satisfaction of service.

Please email or phone Trent Geiger (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / 309-706-4563) to register or request additional information.

On all other NOA Flag Football matters, please reach out to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any comments or questions.

Message to Basketball Officials

Basketball Meeting Request - Reminder

If any basketball official has a play clip or two from the past several seasons (from their own games or other's) that they would want to be reviewed, please forward to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The clips will be incorporated into a very interesting "You make the call" session.

Planning is continuing for the Winter season Meetings. Anyone with suggestions should contact Jay Lampel or Jason Boston. The first meeting will be October 7.

On all other NOA Basketball matters, please reach out to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any comments or questions.