Officials

A lacrosse player seeks an opening to shoot while being defended by two players.

Be the Referee: Girls Lacrosse New Stoppage Rule

Posted: 4/8/2025

A softball baserunner passes in front of an infielder as a ground ball approaches.

Be the Referee: Base Runner Interference

Posted: 4/1/2025

A baseball player at bat.

Be the Referee: Pine Tar Usage

Posted: 3/26/2025

A basketball floats toward a basket as the lights around the backboard are lit signaling the buzzer.

Be the Referee: Basketball Replay

Posted: 3/11/2025

A gymnast competes on uneven parallel bars.

Be the Referee: Gymnastics Deduction

Posted: 3/4/2025

Longtime MHSAA official Mike VanderVelde, left, and son Michael share a moment during Michael’s officiating assignment at the 2021 Outback Bowl in Tampa Bay, Fla.

VanderVelde Officiating Tree Branches Into 2nd Generation, Top-Tier College Football

Posted: 2/28/2025

The Croswell-Lexington cheer team performs a stunt that includes an inversion during the 2024 MHSAA Finals.

Be the Referee: Competitive Cheer Inversion

Posted: 2/19/2025

An ice hockey player sends the puck ahead while an official signals a delayed call.

Be the Referee: Ice Hockey Delay of Game

Posted: 2/11/2025

These are photos of retired NFL official Dean Look, including during a Broncos/Raiders game, and signaling a touchdown during the 1981 NFC Championship Game.

Flashback 100: Multi-Sport Star Look Becomes Super Bowl Officiating Legend

Posted: 2/6/2025

A high school skier, wearing a helmet with a chin guard, proceeds downhill during a race.

Be the Referee: Ski Helmets

Posted: 2/4/2025

Wrestlers compete on the mat near the boundary line during a December match.

Be the Referee: Wrestling In Bounds or Out?

Posted: 1/28/2025

A basketball shot falls toward the backboard and hoop, which are lit because of the buzzer.

Be the Referee: Block or Charge?

Posted: 1/21/2025

Sam Davis, far left, officiates a match at the MHSAA Finals.

MHSAA's Davis Selected to Michigan Chapter of National Wrestling Hall of Fame

Posted: 1/15/2025

From left: Rob Fay, Tony Costello and Alex Schrauben take a quick selfie during their meet-up to officiate a Dec. 10 boys basketball game at Alma.

Finals Partners Now Long-Distance Friends Reunite to Officiate Together Again

Posted: 1/15/2025

MHSAA official Doug Sanders monitors the action during a 2022 Division 4 Semifinal between Wyoming Tri-unity Christian and Genesee Christian.

Thankful for Lifesavers Who Rushed to His Aid, Sanders Aims to Officiate Again

Posted: 1/14/2025

An official requests the basketball on the baseline during a pause in play.

Be the Referee: Out of Bounds, In Play

Posted: 1/14/2025

At left, Dowagiac superintendent Greg Blomgren addresses an audience during his first day in the position, July 1. At right, Blomgren officiates a girls basketball in December between host Cassopolis and White Pigeon.

Dowagiac Superintendent Continues Connection to Hoops as MHSAA Game Official

Posted: 1/8/2025

Wrestlers lock up from a standing position during a match, one holding the right arm of the other attempting to gain leverage.

Be the Referee: Wrestling Scoring

Posted: 1/7/2025

A bowler winds up to throw a ball during warmups for the 2022 Finals.

Be the Referee: Bowling Ball Rules

Posted: 12/17/2024

Marquette's Connor Stade (20) takes a shot, but Houghton's Cooper Flachs (30) is able to cover up the puck during their November matchup.

Be the Referee: Neck Laceration Protector

Posted: 12/10/2024

A basketball official signals two free throws during last season's Division 2 Final at Breslin Center.

Be the Referee: Basketball Goaltending

Posted: 12/3/2024

A football official gestures a thumbs up from the end zone during a 2023 championship game.

Be the Referee: 11-Player Finals Replay

Posted: 11/26/2024

A Powers North Central football player dives for the end zone marker as a Mendon defender attempts to stop him short.

Be the Referee: 8-Player vs. 11-Player Football

Posted: 11/19/2024

Centreville’s Mary Stears stands adjacent and above the net as she officiates a match this fall.

Southwest 10 Conference Welcoming Volleyball Athletes as Legacy Officials

Posted: 11/13/2024

A Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central player bumps a volleyball near the net during the 2015 Class C Final.

Be the Referee: Back Row Setter

Posted: 11/12/2024

An officiating crew confers before this season’s Fowler/Bath varsity football game.

Be the Referee: Football OT

Posted: 11/5/2024

A referee monitors the action from the chair during last season's Division 2 Volleyball Semifinals at Kellogg Arena.

Be the Referee: Officials Registration

Posted: 10/29/2024

An MHSAA volleyball official is seated and looking something up in an NFHS rulebook.

Be the Referee: Volleyball Serve

Posted: 10/22/2024

An official crossing the soccer field looks back toward the sideline during Monday's Berkley/Troy Athens District game.

Be the Referee: You Make the Call - Soccer Offside

Posted: 10/15/2024

A penalty flag is crumbled laying on the Ford Field turf.

Be the Referee: Roughing the Passer

Posted: 10/8/2024

A golf ball soars out of a sand trap as the club head is seen during follow through.

Be the Referee: Abnormal Course Condition

Posted: 10/1/2024

A Livonia Churchill tennis player returns a volley during a match this season.

Be the Referee: Tennis Nets

Posted: 9/24/2024

Livonia Franklin's libero (1) defends during her team's match against Livonia Churchill this season.

Be the Referee: Libero

Posted: 9/17/2024

Newberry's Samantha Taylor (321) and Abby Taylor (320) lead the beginning of the Wildcat Invite last month at Northern Michigan University, with Samantha eventually finishing first and Abby third.

Be the Referee: Cross Country Uniforms

Posted: 9/10/2024

Westland John Glenn and Sterling Heights Stevenson players pursue the ball during their matchup this season.

Be the Referee: Soccer Handling

Posted: 9/5/2024

A football official signals holding during a 2023 game.

Be the Referee: Football Holding

Posted: 8/27/2024

News 2023

2024-25 MHSAA Officials Registration Underway

Posted: 6/17/2024

A referee monitors play as two players attempt to gain possession during the 2023 Division 4 Girls Soccer Final.

Be the Referee: Soccer Offside

Posted: 6/4/2024

A baseball hitter, catcher and umpire watch a fly ball soar into the air.

Be the Referee: Appeal Play

Posted: 5/29/2024

An East Grand Rapids player prepares for a restart during the 2022 Division 2 Final.

Be the Referee: Lacrosse Foul in Critical Scoring Area

Posted: 5/21/2024

A baseball runner is called out after illegally diving over the catcher to avoid a tag.

Be the Referee: Avoiding the Tag

Posted: 5/14/2024

A Goodrich pitcher makes his move toward the plate this season.

Be the Referee: Baseball Pitch Count

Posted: 5/7/2024

Alpena athletic director Jon Studley, left, and retired MHSAA game official Dan Godwin take a photo together on the shore of Lake Huron one year after Godwin donated a kidney to Studley.

Retired Official Gives Alpena AD New Life with Donated Kidney - 'Something I Had to Do'

Posted: 5/3/2024

Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central helmets

Be the Referee: Boys Lacrosse Helmets

Posted: 4/30/2024

A Macomb Dakota player prepares to catch a pop-up during a 2017 Semifinal.

Be the Referee: Softball Base Runner Interference

Posted: 4/23/2024

Candy Cox takes a photo during the 2018 MHSAA Competitive Cheer Finals.

Pioneering Competitive Cheer Official Cox to Receive MHSAA Norris Award

Posted: 4/18/2024

A referee signals during the 2016 MHSAA Girls Soccer Finals.

Be the Referee: Soccer Red Card

Posted: 4/16/2024

A baseball umpire awaits the next pitch.

Be the Referee: Batted Baseball Hits Runner

Posted: 4/9/2024