OSSAA
Van Shea Iven
The Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association, which governs all athletic and activities for the entire state, today announced a new partnership with one of the fastest-growing officiating organizations in America.
‘Battlefields2Ballfields’, conceived and administered by FOX Sports NFL rules analyst Mike Pereira, will join forces with the OSSAA in a collaborative effort to encourage all military personnel to become sports officials at the conclusion of their active service.
“We could not be happier than to now be included in the great work that ‘Battlefields2Ballfields’ is doing,” said OSSAA Executive Director David Jackson.
“With athletics being so impactful to Oklahomans, it’s critical for us to have enough quality officials to cover the many sporting events that our students participate and compete in daily. We feel that this partnership gives us a great jump start in promoting our military personnel into great leaders in any number of sports.”
The OSSAA sanctions officials in football, baseball, basketball, soccer, fast/slow pitch softball, swimming, volleyball, track & field and wrestling. Its membership now totals 3500 statewide.
“Teaming up with the OSSAA is exactly what ‘Battlefields2Ballfields’ is trying to do throughout the country,” Pereira said. “This organization has a track record of excellence throughout the state of Oklahoma, and we at B2B are proud to be a part of the work they do so well.”
‘Battlefields2Ballfields’, founded in 2017, is designed to assist military men and women in their transition back into civilian life following their tours of duty. B2B offers scholarships to deserving candidates to help offset the cost of training, registration fees, uniforms, camps and clinics. To date, B2B has awarded 150 scholarships to aspiring officials throughout the United States.