About Board 33

TO BECOME A REFEREE, CLICK HERE.

Through your membership in the North Jersey Board of Approved Basketball Officials, Inc., you are a member of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials, Inc. (IAABO) – the only organization of its kind in the world: a nonprofit service and professional organization managed by and for basketball referees. Founded in 1923, IAABO’s stated purposes are:

• To educate, train, develop, and provide continuous instruction for basketball officials.
• To promote the welfare of the game of basketball, its players and officials.
• To maintain the highest standard of basketball officiating.
• To encourage the spirit of fair play and sportsmanship.
• To have available at all times an adequate number of thoroughly trained and capable officials.
• To cooperate with all organizations officially connected with the game of basketball in furthering its interests and ideals.

Annual Banquet

Event Date: 
Wednesday, March 25, 2026 - 6:00pm
35 days remaining
Meeting Set: 
Banquet
Location: 
The Fiesta (Wood-Ridge, NJ)

Officials & Distinguished Guests,

The Board 33 Banquet Committee is pleased to announce the date and location for the upcoming 2025-2026 season-ending banquet celebration. This special night is designed to recognize our officiating accomplishments.

Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Cocktail Hour – 6:00pm • BUFFET DINNER – 7:00pm

The Fiesta
(NEW LOCATION!!!!)
255 NJ-17 South
Wood-Ridge, NJ 07075

Register & Pay Online $70
(Save 15% - Payment after deadline / at the Door is $80!)

As part of this celebration, we will acknowledge the achievements of fellow officials with the presentation of our three major awards Dominic Cuccinello Distinguished Service Award, Edgar Cartotto Dedication to Basketball Award, and the Corrigan Memorial Award), as well as post-season honors. The banquet allows our membership the opportunity to spend an enjoyable evening catching up with old acquaintances and also provide our young and aspiring officials with the ability to network with other officials, assignors, and members of the organization who will be in attendance. We look forward to seeing all our members and what will surely be an enjoyable evening!

If you have any questions or need more information, contact Banquet Committee Chairman Bill Meyer using the contact information below.

Bill Meyer, Chairman
Banquet Committee
t.: 908 477-9299
e.: billmeyer1948@gmail.com

Officials Implicit Bias Workshops - NJSIAA Requirement

In September 2019, NJSIAA entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the NJ Office of the Attorney General – Division of Civil Rights.  This Memorandum required NJSIAA to provide implicit bias training to all registered NJSIAA officials.

To accomplish this requirement, NJSIAA will be offering a set number of workshop opportunities on implicit bias during the 2025-2026 school year at specific times.  The workshops will be virtual and will be hosted on the Zoom platform. They should last approximately one hour.

These are the only remaining dates/times that will be offered in 2025. Additional sessions will not be offered. NJSIAA will no longer be offering the workshops specific to each season, as has been done in the past.

As a reminder: This is a one-time-only requirement - it will not be a seasonal or annual requirement.  If you have already completed this workshop, you do not need to take it again.

This workshop is required! No official will be eligible for any assignments at any level (regular season or tournament contests) without participating in the workshop.  Similar workshops, like the NFHS course, will not be accepted.  

Thank you in advance for your participation and cooperation.

Below you will find the schedule for upcoming workshops. Pre-registration is required. Each registration link is unique to the specific date and time. Each session will be limited to 100 participants.  Only register for one session.

Thank you in advance for your participation and cooperation.

Registration links:

Wednesday, February 11 at 7:00pm

Wednesday, February 18 at 7:00pm

Wednesday, March 4 at 7:00pm

Wednesday, March 11 at 7:00pm

Wednesday, June 24 at 7:00pm

Wednesday, July 1 at 7:00pm

Wednesday, July 22 at 7:00pm

Wednesday, August 5 at 7:00pm

Wednesday, August 12 at 7:00pm

Wednesday, August 19 at 7:00pm

Wednesday, September 2 at 7:00pm

Wednesday, October 7 at 7:00pm

Wednesday, November 4 at 7:00pm

Wednesday, November 18 at 7:00pm

Wednesday, December 2 at 7:00pm

Any questions, please contact Dena Maggio from the NJSIAA - dmaggio@njsiaa.org

2026 Special Olympics Games

TO REGISTER, CLICK HERE

We are now actively seeking volunteers to officiate games for the Special Olympics of New Jersey Spring Festival of Sports. With the holidays now behind us and the season in full swing, maybe it's time to start thinking about what we can do to give back to the sport we love. Why not consider volunteering to officiate a few games for Special Olympics of New Jersey Spring Festival of Sports?

The SONJ season starts strong on January 18th and will continue to run through March 8th, with games every Sunday at two locations, in Clifton and Old Bridge, from 9AM until around 1-2PM. Then on Saturday and Sunday, March 14th and 15th, they host the Regional Playoffs to select the teams which will participate in the Spring Festival Finals down in Wildwood the weekend of March 28th. With two courts at each site, you can see that it adds up to a lot of games, and a lot of whistles, if we are to pull it off successfully.

Board 33 continues to be the primary source of officials for all of the games for the North (Clifton) and East (Old Bridge) regions, while Boards 34 and 193 cover the South and Central Regions respectively. All in all, the IAABO boards from New Jersey cover hundreds of games, providing a safe and fair competition for the amazing athletes of SONJ. And you can be part of it.

To volunteer, all you have to do is pick dates and times that you are available on the registration form stating when you would like to work. The tentative schedule of games is shown on the registration form and gets updated weekly as the folks at SONJ plan the week's matchups.

Once you send in your availability, someone will reach out to confirm your slot(s). Then all you have to do is show up. Although it's not advisable, you can even just drop in some Sunday at either location and run a few games. We're easy!

These games are for the most part low key and slow paced. We try to run three person mechanics when we have the manpower, so nobody gets worn out. We do have a cadre of regulars who come every single week to work a bunch of games, but with almost 900 members in Board 33, we shouldn't have to rely on them every week.

So think about it. We guarantee that it will be a pleasant experience, one that will help make the day for some very special people and their guardians. One that may change the way you look at life and the game of basketball. We hope you choose to be on the SONJ courts soon.

NFHS Rule Interpretation / Update: Basket Interference

NOTE FROM BILLY MARTIN, NJSIAA STATE BASKETBALL RULES INTERPRETER

NJSIAA Basketball Officials,

Please read the following memo regarding slapping of the backboard and basket interference:

This was released by NFHS Rules Committee this morning. I will try to keep you updated on any additional info as it becomes available.

Download Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cu9BKtnnV1NWvPjadvZR5VpKbOqusl8B/view?usp=sharing

If you have any questions, please reach out to your local chapter Rules Interpreter.

Thank you.

Yours in Officiating,
Billy Martin
NJSIAA State Basketball Rules Interpreter

NFHS Basketball Rule Clarification: Substitution Confusion

NOTE FROM BILLY MARTIN, NJSIAA STATE BASKETBALL RULES INTERPRETER

NJSIAA Basketball Officials,

Please read the following memo regarding an updated interpretation from NFHS and IAABO:


Substitution Confusion (10.4.2B, IAABO Plays 16-10-4, 19-3-8)

The NFHS has approved a change to a long-standing interpretation for when a player who is on the bench should be on the court after a “lengthy” substitution process. 

Previously, when a team had only four players on the court, it was legal for a coach to direct a player (who was mistakenly in the bench area) to directly enter the court without penalty as long as the player did not gain an advantage.

Beginning this season, if a player in this situation enters the court directly, the TEAM will be charged with a TECHNICAL FOUL for failing to have all players return to the court at approximately the same time.

This change is accurately reflected in NFHS Case Book Play 10.4.2B on page 83 as well as in the IAABO Rules Guide Play 19-3-8 on pages 236-237.  This was also accurately reflected in the IAABO Game Simulator too.

Unfortunately, this play was also located in the IAABO Rules Guide at Play 16-10-4, and the ruling on this is incorrect. 
 
**IAABO Rule Guide, Page 214 Play 16-10–4
This play is slated to be deleted in next year’s IAABO Rules Guide.  Please DO NOT use this ruling on p 214 going forward. 

As always, reach out to your local chapter Rules Interpreter if you have any questions on this play or any others.

I hope this helps in your preparation for the year.

Yours in Officiating,
Billy Martin
NJSIAA State Basketball Rules Interpreter

Goaltending and Basket Interference Addressed in 2025-26 Basketball Rules Changes

A trio of changes to address when goaltending and basket interference are called are among the changes to high school basketball rules for the 2025-26 season.

These revisions to the NFHS Basketball Rules Book are among the six changes recommended by the Basketball Rules Committee during its April 28-30 meeting in Indianapolis – all of which were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

Honoring Dedication: 2024-25 Service Time Award Recipients

Recognizing the dedication and commitment of our members is an essential part of celebrating our organization’s success. Each year, we proudly honor individuals who have reached significant service milestones, acknowledging their hard work, loyalty, and invaluable contributions.

Below is the list of this year’s award recipients, each of whom has demonstrated unwavering commitment and excellence. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for their dedication and the positive impact they continue to make.

70 Years
Robert Kingsley
50 Years
Donald Beisswanger Allan Czaya Emil Ferlicchi
Louis James Giele Kenneth Hand Thomas Russo
Gary Schimel Michael Stang  
45 Years
Ronald Calo Ed Camp Louis Capozzi
Robert Csigi Alex Dobrowolski Jack Phillips
Marty Piccini Terry Shoebridge  
40 Years
Paul McPleasant William Mullins Renee Ruth
David Toomey    
35 Years
Micheal Brogan James Conte Timothy Lombardo
Michael Perullo Tom Stasik  
30 Years
Dennis Allocco David Barton Melvin Chettum III
Bruce Davis John Delamater Gordon Drewery Jr
Micheal Finnen Jr John Medica James O’Hara
Bryan Scipio Gerald Volpe  
25 Years
Kevin Chiodo Mary Ann Conboy Vic Degracia
Charles DePrima Steven Glassman Luis Gonzales
John Jones Gary Lange James Llewellyn
Lou Milano Ed Mills Craig Moracie
Robert Switer Patrick Warren  
20 Years
Alvaro Berges Anthony Candelario Joseph Cioffi
Alvin Cunningham Richard D'Avanzo Frank Di Maulo
Thomas Finn Edward Fodale Daniel Gerena
Joseph Henry Robert Hope Lauren Kelly
Robert LaSalle Eric Leeds Robert Limite
Rich Lustig Eric Montgomery Dennis Moskal
William O'Toole Richard Payne Tonya Rice-Turner
Jay Rosenfeld Christopher Sariti Thomas Swenticky
Marge Theobald Casey Thomas Shawn Thomas
Jim Tretola Joseph Tropeano Najee Webb

 

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