Be the Referee: Concussion Protocol
September 4, 2014
This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl explains the football official's role in making school personnel aware that an athlete may have sustained a concussion.
"Be the Referee" is designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating and to recruit officials. The segment can be heard on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during the school year on The Drive With Jack Ebling on WVFN-AM, East Lansing.
Below is this week's segment - Concussions - Listen
Today we are going to talk about concussions. It is important to know that a game official will never make a diagnosis of whether or not an athlete has suffered a concussion. However, those game officials do have an important role to play when it comes to keeping athletes safe.
Officials must be not only aware during the play but especially just after the play for any athlete that appears to be disoriented, unsteady on their feet, or even appears dizzy to where the game must be stopped immediately, the coaching staff notified and then officials need to allow the coaches, working with the school's medical personnel, to make the best decision for the athlete involved.
Past editions
Aug. 25 - Targeting - Listen
Be the Referee: Because They Love It
February 13, 2019
This week, MHSAA assistant director Brent Rice explains why officials take up the avocation despite frequent criticism of their best efforts.
Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.
Below is this week's segment – Because They Love It - Listen
After the uproar about officiating in a recent pro football game, an online article appeared with the headline “Why in the world would anyone want to be a referee?” It’s a good question.
While everyone in the game – players, coaches and officials – strive for perfection, only the officials are ultimately expected to reach that standard. And that’s simply not fair. So why would anyone want to be a referee?
Every referee will give you three little words: “I love it!” They love it because they know how important it is – no matter the level of play. And they want to be right all the time – and most of the time they are. And like a lot of other things in sports, the friendships and relationships built, the memories – they can’t be beat. So we’ll always encourage people to join us as referees, and for those who can’t – or won’t – to stay in their lane when at the game.
Past editions
February 7: Coach/Official Communication - Listen
January 31: Backcourt Violation? - Listen
January 24: Required Hockey Equipment - Listen
January 17: You Make the Call: 10-Second Clock - Listen
January 10: Tripping in Hockey - Listen
January 3: Sliding in Basketball - Listen
December 27: Stalling in Wrestling - Listen
December 20: Basketball: You Make the Call - Listen
December 13: Basketball Uniform Safety - Listen
December 6: Coaching Box Expansion - Listen
November 29: Video Review, Part 2 - Listen
November 22: Video Review, Part 1 - Listen
November 15: You Make the Call - Sleeper Play - Listen
November 8: 7-Person Football Crews - Listen
November 1: Overtime Differences - Listen
October 25: Trickery & Communication - Listen
October 18: Punts & Missed Field Goals - Listen
October 11: What Officials Don't Do - Listen
October 4: Always 1st-and-Goal - Listen
September 27: Unique Kickoff Option - Listen
September 20: Uncatchable Pass - Listen
September 13: Soccer Rules Change - Listen
September 6: You Make the Call: Face Guarding - Listen
August 30: 40-Second Play Clock - Listen
August 23: Football Rules Changes - Listen