Championship Selections

Overview

Officials for the following meets are selected by the USATF National Selection Committee:

• USATF Indoor and Combined Events Championships
• USATF Outdoor and U20 Championships
• U.S. Olympic Team Trials
• World Athletics Championships held in the United States

Selection Committee Makeup

• NOC Chair and two other appointees (3)
• Men’s T&F Committee (2)
• Women’s T&F Committee (2)
• Athletes Advisory Committee (3)
• Meet Director & Host Association Certification Chair (1)

Selection Inquiries

Selection Considerations/What You Can Do

Here are some perspectives on what you might do to improve your chances of selection for the major championship events.

From the NOC Chair:

Since we always have more qualified applicants than spots available for our championship meets, and though there’s never a guarantee of selection, there are steps you can take now to better position yourself for consideration:

• Travel to meets outside of your association. Traveling allows you to see how events are run in other places and learn how to function as a part of a team of officials from different places. This can include NCAA meets, conference championship meets, and major relay meets.
• Work USATF Youth, Junior Olympic, and Masters Championship meets. These meets give you a chance to work in a championship setting. They also allow other officials get a sense of your abilities so that you’re a known official and not just a name on an application. Most of these meets also include evaluations by head officials which provide valuable information to selection committees and to you on how to improve as an official.
• Build your resume in a variety of areas. There are some events that require fewer officials than others. It’s wise to be experienced in multiple areas so that there are more spots that you can fill. But make sure that your resume reflects that you have worked and are knowledgeable in the areas for which you apply.
• Begin applying now and continue to apply. Don't be discouraged if you aren't selected. It is not unusual for officials to not be selected every year. But if you don't apply you can't be selected.