The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association recently helped football officials and league coaches become better acquainted and prepare for rules changes for the coming season.

The clinic marked the first time MIAA coaches and the referees have met before the season. It is also the first time the 53 MIAA officials have had a three-day clinic to get ready for the season.

The three-day clinic was organized by MIAA Commissioner Jim Johnson with the help of Phil Laurie, who is beginning his second year as supervisor of officials in the MIAA after 24 years as a Division I official, including 12 in the Big 12 Conference.

“I think it was very valuable,” Nebraska-Omaha coach Pat Behrns told MIAA.com writer David Boyce. “Anytime you can put what we do on a personal basis, I think it helps both of us. There is always, I’m sure, that impression in the coach’s mind and the official’s mind that we are not all in this together. I think this helps us out that we are all in this together.”

Read the full story from the MIAA Web site.