Be the Referee: Ratings

January 5, 2017

This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl explains how Michigan's high school officials are evaluated for their game performance.

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 – Ratings - Listen

Just about every sports fan, at one time or another, has left a game wondering, “How do the officials get evaluated or graded for their performance during a game?”

At the high school level, the MHSAA has the school rating system to where following each game both teams submit a rating for the official’s work. The rating, on a 1 through 5 scale, is then sent to the MHSAA Office and these ratings are compiled over a three-year period. An official then has a rating average, and the schools can also indicate areas for improvement or growth that they deem are appropriate.

Those rating numbers then determine what officials are first used in postseason play.

Past editions
Dec. 22: Video Review - Part 2 - Listen
Dec. 15: Video Review - Part 1 - Listen
Dec. 8: Registration - Part 2 - Listen
Dec. 1: Registration - Part 1 - Listen
Nov. 24: You Make the Call - Sleeper Play - Listen
Nov. 17: Automatic 1st Downs - Listen
Nov. 10: Uncatchable Pass - Listen
Nov. 3: The Goal Line - Listen
Oct. 27: Help Us Retain Officials - Listen
Oct. 20: Point After Touchdown - Listen
Oct. 13: Untimed Down - Listen
Oct. 6: Soccer Penalty Kick Change - Listen
Sept. 29: Preparation for Officials - Listen
Sept 22: You Make the Call: Returning Kickoffs - Listen
Sept. 15: Concussions - Listen
Sept 8: Equipment Covering the Knees - Listen
Sept. 1: Play Clock Experiment - Listen
Aug. 25: Clipping in the Free Blocking Zone - Listen

Be the Referee: The Survey Says

November 2, 2017

In this week's edition, assistant director Mark Uyl explains how a recently completed national survey will assist in the recruitment of officials.

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 – The Survey Says - Listen

Over the years, the officiating industry has really struggled with the fact that there’s been very little data out there to really understand who officials are. This kind of data would be very helpful as the MHSAA continues to recruit, retain and train our officials.

The National Association of Sports Officials just conducted a national survey in which nearly 20,000 amateur sports officials responded about who they are, their education level and where they’re from. It’s some of this national data that will now allow us to make better decisions as we continue to recruit and keep the officiating ranks in Michigan strong.

Past editions
October 26: Helmet Comes Off - Listen
October 19: Goal Line Rules - Listen
October 12: No 1st-Year Fee - Listen
October 5: Athletic Empty Nesters - Listen
September 28: Misunderstood Football Rules: Kicking - Listen
September 21: Preparation for Officials - Listen
September 14: Always Stay Registered - Listen
September 7: Other Football Rules Changes - Listen
August 31: Pop-Up Onside Kicks - Listen
August 24: Blindside Blocks - Listen