*** If you want to discuss becoming a women's lacrosse umpire, contact Amy Ruuska at ruus0004@d.umn.edu or 763-226-1479.

Here are the steps to becoming a certified women's lacrosse umpire:

1. Register with US Lacrosse ($50) - to do so, download the application here (Adobe format): http://www.uslacrosse.org/membership/pdf/general_regform06.pdf

Complete the application and give the application & check (made out to “MLUA”) to Tom Eliason at one of the mandatory Rules Training Sessions (see #4 below).

All new umpire forms will be sent together to US Lacrosse. Be sure to note on the form that you are a member of the Minnesota Lacrosse Umpire Association.

Email Amy Ruuska at ruus0004@d.umn.edu immediately with your US Lacrosse Member number / confirmation when it is received. By joining US Lacrosse, you will automatically be sent the official Rule Book.

NOTE: You must join US Lacrosse as an official before you can step on the field as a ref or be field rated…sign up 1 st before you do any of the later steps.

2. Send Amy Ruuska (the MLUA's Secretary) at ruus0004@d.umn.edu all your contact information (full name, address, e-mail, home / work / cell #, etc.).

3. a) Pay the local chapter annual membership fee ($30) to join the Minnesota Lacrosse Umpire Association (MLUA). Please send your check (made out to “MLUA”) to:

Dave Holdsworth
MLUA Treasurer
8780 Pineview Lane North
Maple Grove , MN 55369

b) Pay MSHSL dues if you plan to officiate MSHSL games ($32) --> follow this link to fill out the application and then send payment in: http://www.mshsl.org/mshsl/sofficials/login.asp

Enter your Official ID and password and select the ' Register for 2005-06 ' option.  Note, you ' ll need to print out the form and send a check into the MN State High School League (MSHSL) to become registered.

 
If you are a new official to the MSHSL, you ' ll can just go to the following site:
www.mshsl.org and select Officials/Judges for the top menu options, then "Become a New Official".  Follow the directions and then send in payment with the form to the MSHSL.

4. Attend one of the 3 Rules Training Sessions:

• Sat., 3/25  9-12pm at Hopkins HS (includes our association meeting)
• Thurs., 3/28  7-9pm at Roseville HS
• Thurs., 4/6  7-9pm at Blake Middle School (in Hopkins )

5. Pass an open-book umpire rules exam on the game of women's lacrosse. To get the test, contact Tom Eliason at TEliason@ix.netcom.com or (612) 501-7334.

6. Field training / observation by an experienced umpire. To schedule your field rating before the season, contact Amy Ruuska at ruus0004@d.umn.edu or 763-226-1479. Once the season starts you will need to go through Tom Eliason .

You will be provided several options to get your field rating, likely to include the following dates:

• Sat., 4/1,  8am-12pm location Hastings lacrosse field
• Sat., 4/8,  8am-12pm location Hopkins HS turf field

(These dates still need to be confirmed by the schools)

7. Provide your available dates to the MLUA Game Assignor ( Julie Carlson at 651-353-6835) when she asks everyone for their availability prior to the season.

*** Each new umpires will be provided a whistle & lanyard, a set of penalty cards, a game note card, and a yellow umpire flag…this will help reduce your initial cost & get you started on the right path. Tom Eliason (TEliason@ix.netcom.com or 612-501-7334) will give you your New Umpire Packet at the Rules Training Meetings…if you don't get one, contact him & let him know.