| Camp ACC (Referee 5/98) — The camp system, especially at the major college level, has long been controversial. Some view going to camp as a necessary step to moving up in the ranks. Of course, not all camps are viewed that way — there is usually a distinction between “teaching camps” and “tryout camps.” The tryout camp in this case was run by Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) assistant commissioner Fred Barakat, or at least it was until the ACC took the camp away from him. A perceived conflict of interest came to light because Barakat was making money from his camp. Barakat, in his duties with the ACC, was also in charge of maintaining the officiating staff and the camp was whispered to be a requirement if you wanted to get on the ACC roster. Even if there was no impropriety, the ACC’s decision to remove any perception of conflict of interest was a watershed moment that has led to continuing change in the way camps are operated and perceived by the officiating community. |
 |