Joel Pogar and Kirk Russell are championship officials from the Colorado Football Officials Association. In this PodCast, Joel and Kirk explore all the aspects of becoming a high school football official. From finding your local association to fitness requirements and rules knowledge needed on the field. Learn how to become the best official you can be and advance to college or the NFL. It all starts here on the high school football field.
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Finding a Mentor in Your Early Years as a Football Official
37:47
37:47
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37:47Hey everybody, we took a week off from the podcast so Joel could celebrate his 30 year wedding anniversary in Alaska. We're back at it and in this episode Joel and Kirk Russell are joined by special guests Jerry Reimers and Joe Magnuson from the San Diego Football Officials Association. The focus of the discussion is on the importance of finding a …
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How To Be a Championship Quality Line Judge with D1 College Official Nick Brigati
38:11
38:11
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38:11In this episode of Your First Downs, hosts Joel Pogar and Kirk Russell are joined by Nick Brigati, a D1 Line Judge from Ohio. They delve into the key differences between the wing position at the high school and college level, focusing on communication, confidence, and observational skills. Nick shares tips on effectively managing coach interactions…
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Mastering the Back Judge Position with Chuck Hickey
33:53
33:53
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33:53In this episode of Your First Downs, hosts Joel Pogar and Kirk Russell sit down with Chuck Hickey, a seasoned back judge and three-time state championship official from Colorado. They discuss the importance of the back judge position and how to excel in it. Chuck shares his journey to becoming a back judge and the challenges and responsibilities th…
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Think you're ready to wear the white hat? How to become a referee with Dan Gilman
38:51
38:51
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38:51Joel Pogar and Kirk Russell interview Dan Gilman, a 40-year officiating veteran and current referee and crew chief. Dan shares his insights and experiences on becoming a referee, offering valuable advice for newer officials that aspire to the role. The conversation covers from the fun and challenging aspects of being a referee, the importance of co…
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Becoming a Championship Wing Official: Insights from Ryan Rourke
34:22
34:22
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34:22In this episode, Joel Pogar and Kirk Russell are joined by Ryan Rourke, a multi-championship linesman from Northern Colorado. Together, they discuss how to become a championship-level wing official in high school football. They cover topics such as the importance of rule knowledge, communication with coaches and chain crew, spotting the ball, and m…
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The Lost Episode: Getting through those first game butterflies with Megan and John
41:57
41:57
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41:57Our lost episode! Due to a technical glitch, this episode did not publish as scheduled in 2023. Like a fine wine, it's even better a year later! Tune in as Joel Pogar and Kirk Russell are joined by experienced officials John Armstrong and Megan Griesser to discuss how they overcame the nervousness and challenges of their first games as football off…
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