Director of Officiating Operations

... Mr. Bankston is responsible for the scheduling and training of top notch officials for the Alliance. In addition to his Florida Football Alliance duties. Mr Bankston is currently the Director of Officiating Operations, for the Florida Association of Sports Officials. He is presently the Supervisor of Officials for the United States Football Officials Association (An association that assigns and train Minor League and Professional officials from New York to Florida). His duties range from recruiting, training and evaluation of game officials in the nationally recognized Diamond Football League- Florida. His approach to training officials involves three phases: Preparation ( The way we Train), Professionalism ( The way we conduct ourselves) and Presentation (The way we perform). Mr Bankston has added the following people to assist in leadership:

Eastern Conference Supervisor of Officials

....Jerry Gomez currently serves President of the South Florida Football Officials Association where he is actively recruiting, and training new officials; as well as assigning officials to more than 4,280 games. He also serves as Treasurer of the Greater Miami Athletic Conference Football Officials Association which services over 35 public and private schools in Miami-Dade County.  He has officiated over 100 games in the Southern States, Southeast and Diamond Football Leagues in his eleven years as an official, and as an official in the National Indoor Football League for the last two years.  He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Alliance both on the field as a working official and off as an assigner and association leader.  He strongly believes that “officials, regardless of their level, are professionals must be committed to their trade, know the rules, and carry themselves as the professionals they are at all times.” 

FFA Supervisor of Training / Rules Interpreter

...Alex Barinaga began officiating in 1995 in Miami, Fl. Member of the South Florida Football Officials Association where he worked local area youth leagues. He currently serves as Rules Interpreter for the SFFOA and has worked numerous championships including the Orange Bowl Youth Football Alliance, and the Pop Warner Super Bowl. Alex began officiating high school football in 1996 as a member of the Greater Miami Athletic Conference Football Officials Association. He currently serves as Rules Interpreter for the GMACFOA and is a varsity back judge. He has worked numerous FHSAA playoff games. Alex began officiating college football in 2003 as a member of the Gulf South Conference, where he currently serves as a back judge on referee Bob Dunham’s crew. Alex began officiating professional indoor football in 2005 in the National Indoor Football League where he served as a back judge in 2005 and a referee in 2006. He worked conference semi-final in 2005 as a back judge. He began officiating Minor League Football in 1999, as a member of the Miami-Dade Officials Association, and since has worked numerous leagues including the Southeastern Football League, the Southern States Football League, and the Diamond Football League. Alex Brings a high magnitude of experience and leadership to the FFA.

Western Conference Supervisor of Officials

...Wally DeVries began officiating in 1976 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Moving to Tampa Bay area in 1994.  As a member of the Sunshine Football Officials Association he has served as Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. He currently works as an umpire on a regular crew and fills in as a referee when needed by the association. He has officiated all levels of youth all star and championship games in Pinellas Youth Football Association and Sunshine Youth Football Association in Pinellas County and Tampa Bay Area championship game at Raymond James Stadium.  He has officiated FHSAA state high school championship games at Gainesville in 2003 and at Miami in 2006 as well as a multitude of other playoff games throughout his career.  He has recently restarted officiating semi professional games in Florida including the Diamond Football League.  As an experienced official he brings both field and rule knowledge to this level of play.  He is excited to be a part of the Florida Football Alliance and the Minor League Football Officials Alliance officiating staff, and vows to help train and develop quality officials for this league.       

For information about becoming an Alliance Official Please contact Mr. Bankston at 813-333-8709 or officials@ffafootball.com

To Apply go to www.fasoofficials.com