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Overview
NASO (the National Association of Sports Officials) is a non-profit educational association of sports officials. Its members, more than 16,000, are individual sports officials, primarily at the high school level.
Since 1980 NASO has been providing services and benefits to sports officials. It was the first organization to provide officiating-liability insurance protection and today provides the most comprehensive insurance protection available. NASO remains the leader in developing and promoting educational and online training materials and providing personal benefits for sports officials for every sport at every level.
The NASO Board of Directors, which oversees NASO, is composed of respected present or former sports officials who serve without pay to inform and protect their fellow sports officials.
Today, NASO members represent virtually every sport at every level of play, in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and more than 32 countries around the world.
NASO through its media relations has been responsible for the promotion of positive awareness for sports officials. NASO’s legislative efforts have resulted in 21 states passing assault legislation, 16 passing limited-liability laws protecting sports officials and 12 states passing independent contractor legislation all designed to protect sports officials.
Insurance Protection
NASO’s Sports Officials Security Program (SOS) provides vital lifetime insurance protections. And because you work in an injury prone, dispute ridden environment you need insured liability protections.
The NASO SOS program provides you with these insured permanent protections plus defense costs to fill in the “gaps” in any officiating coverages you may have already have and provides you insurance even where you do not now have any other coverage at all.
Your personal coverages continue forever (beyond membership or retirement) so long as you were insured at the time of occurrence; this is permanent lifetime protection and don’t think for a moment that claims can’t arise even after you’re retired or not still a member.
“Gaps” in other officiating coverages (but not NASO) are common as 1) only the sponsoring association’s games may be covered, 2) only one sport may be covered, 3) “game call” (errors on the field) and assignors’ liabilities aren’t covered where the claim does not usually involve a physical injury, 4) intentional acts are excluded even if you acted reasonably such as in breaking up a fight, 5) claims by fans are excluded as they are not participants, 6) coverage is denied if you are not still insured at the time of the claim. Don’t take these chances.
NASO provides each member with up to $3,000,000 of annual permanent coverage per occurrence (but not to exceed $4,000,000 annually per official) plus assignors’ and game call liability coverages up to $50,000 annually.
Defense costs for insureds are also covered. NASO insurance covers every sport at every organized level. NASO is the preeminent insurance protection in the officiating world today providing the industry’s most far reaching and comprehensive insurance package available.
Award-Winning Publications and Online Officiating Resources
Simply the best educational, instructional and online resources for officials produced today. Special members only edition of Referee Magazine. The original magazine for sports officiating and the industry’s best known publication. Referee has set the journalistic standard for developing educational and training materials vital to sports officials.
Newly redesigned, full color 72 pages of in-depth feature stories as only Referee can report them. Each issue also has news columns and journal-of-record reports and deep-coverage sport-specific sections with complete rule interpretations and caseplays.
NASO It’s Official monthly newsletter provides an additional 16 pages of association news, officiating information, caseplays and educational product discounts.
NASO monthly e-newsletter keeps members up-to-date on officiating techniques, news and more.
Member Information and Consultation Services
When an issue related to your officiating is concerning you, NASO’s MICP program can help. The MICP has two parts: Free information program handled by the staff of NASO and a consultation program through which NASO can put a member in contact with a knowledgeable person for an initial fee consultation. When you feel the need to sort out an officiating-related issue, clarify your options or get advice, the MICP program is there for you. Members can use the program 3 times per year.
Discounts and Savings
NASO membership also provides exclusive money-saving discounts on educational and instructional materials produced by NASO and Referee Magazine, plus buying discounts for hotels, rental cars and registration fees to NASO’s annual sports officiating summit.
Marriott Athletic VIP Card
The Marriott Athletic VIP Card is provided to NASO members. The VIP card provides a discounted rate at Marriott. Courtyard Inns, Fairfield Inns, Residence Inns, SpringHill Suites and TownePlace Suites. With the card, NASO members are able to stay at those hotels for a room rate 25 to 50 percent lower than the regular rate. Using the Marriott Athletic VIP card just once can save you the annual cost of your NASO membership.
For more information about NASO or to join, contact us at:
By Phone: 262-632-5448
Online: www.naso.org
By Mail: 2017 Lathrop Ave
Racine, WI 53405