Be the Referee: Legacy Program

December 4, 2014

This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl dicusses the Legacy Program, which helps in the recruitment of officials from among current high school students. 

"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 - Legacy Program - Listen

Today we are going to talk about recruitment. Specifically the recruitment of new officials into the world of school sports.

One of the best ways for young people to get involved is through the MHSAA Legacy official program. This is open to any high school junior or senior who is interested in sports and officiating.

The Legacy official is paired with a Mentor official. That Mentor official is an established, veteran official for many years. The Legacy and Mentor official both go out and officiate together at the sub-varsity level, where that new person learns the rules, mechanics, coverages, and basically is learning the ropes of officiating from that Mentor official and getting them off on the right foot in the world of officiating.

Past editions
Nov. 26 - Sideline Management - Listen
Nov. 19 - 7-Person Mechanics - Listen
Nov. 12 - Blocking Below the Waist - Listen
Nov. 5 - Tournament Selection - Listen
Oct. 29 - Uncatchable Pass - Listen
Oct. 22 - Preparation for Officials - Listen
Oct. 15 - Automatic First Downs - Listen
Oct. 8 - Officials & Injuries - Listen
Oct. 1 - Overtime - Listen
Sept. 25 - Field Goals - Listen
Sept. 18 - Tackle Box - Listen
Sept. 11 - Pass Interference - Listen
Aug. 25 - Targeting - Listen

Be the Referee: More Lines

By Sam Davis
MHSAA Director of Officials

January 17, 2023

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 – More Lines - Listen

Lines, lines, everywhere lines. But as we learned last week, different lines mean different things.

To recap, on the line in basketball and football is out of bounds. But in soccer, tennis, volleyball, baseball and softball – on the line is in bounds.

But what about other sports?

In hockey – the puck has to be all the way over the line to be considered a goal or to be in the next zone.

In golf, a ball on the line is in play, not out-of-bounds.

Lacrosse is like football – a ball touching the line is out.

How about a track example? In the long jump – if your foot touches the line, it’s a foul.

And in bowling, if you completely cross the line – it’s a foul.

Know the lines and you’ll always know if you are in … or out.

Previous Editions:

Jan. 10: On the Line - Listen
Jan. 3: Basketball Measurements - Listen
Dec. 13: Pregame Dunks - Listen
Dec. 6: Gymnastics Judges - Listen
Nov. 22: Football Finals Replay - Listen
Nov. 15: Back Row Illegal Blocker - Listen
Nov. 8: Swim Turn Judges - Listen
Nov. 1: Soccer Referee Jersey Colors - Listen
Oct. 25: Cross Country Tie-Breaker - Listen
Oct. 18: Soccer Shootouts - Listen
Oct. 11: Safety in End ZoneListen
Oct. 4: Football Overtime Penalty - Listen
Sept. 27: Kickoff Goal - Listen
Sept. 20: Soccer Timing - Listen
Sept. 13: Volleyball Replays - Listen
Sept. 6: Switching Sides - Listen
Aug. 30: Play Clock - Listen
Aug. 23: Intentional Grounding Change
- Listen