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Be the Referee: Recruiting Officials

February 16, 2017

This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl discusses the recruitment of officials and why the avocation is rewarding. 

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 – Recruiting Officials - Listen

One of the most challenging tasks for the MHSAA is the recruitment and retention of game officials and referees. In many cases, the job of the referee can be a thankless one. It’s an avocation where others expect an official to be perfect on their very first day on the job, and then improve on that performance.

Officials must be fit, knowledgeable on the rules, decisive and most importantly, have good people skills in handling competitive situations with emotional players, coaches and fans. While this can be a great challenge, many of our officials find this experience to be incredibly rewarding. There is no better feeling than to officiate a game where the rules are fairly enforced, judgment calls are made decisively and the teams involved determine the outcome of the game.

If you are interested in becoming a part of this great team, go to MHSAA.com to learn more about officiating and how to get started in this rewarding avocation.

    Past editions
    Feb. 9: Ejections - Listen
    Feb. 2: Wrestling & Technology - Listen
    Jan. 26: Post Play - Listen
    Jan. 19: Ice Hockey Overtime - Listen
    Jan. 12: Free Throw Change - Listen
    Jan. 5: Ratings - Listen
    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: Respect for Referees

    January 1, 2016

    This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl discusses the importance of respecting the referees who are learning as well while working with our youngest athletes.

    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 - Respect for Referees - Listen

    Over the past three years, I’ve gotten to attend my share of middle school athletic events with my oldest two children being involved in a variety of sports at this level.

    In just about every game, there have been times where I have shaken my head in watching how the some of the adults involved conduct themselves, especially those adults sitting in the stands.

    Middle school sports should have the focus of kids participating, learning the game and having fun. In these games, you have the most inexperienced players, newer coaches and often times officials just starting out. Everyone is learning at this level, and a critical eye could identify numerous things done by each of these groups that could be improved upon.

    Adult spectators at subvarsity games need to be positive people … cheer for your team and child, and avoid the second-guessing and criticism of officials. We need to give these officials a chance to gain experience and become a good referee.

    Past editions:
    Dec. 24: Basketball Instant Replay - Listen
    Dec. 17: Basketball Communication - Listen
    Dec. 10: Basketball Excessive Contact - Listen
    Nov. 26: Pregame Communication - Listen
    Nov. 19: Trick Plays - Listen
    Nov. 12: 7-Person Football Mechanics - Listen
    Nov. 5: Make the Call: Personal Fouls - Listen
    Oct. 29: Officials Demographics - Listen
    Oct. 15: Make the Call: Intentional Grounding - Listen
    Oct. 8: Playoff Selection - Listen
    Oct. 1: Kick Returns - Listen
    Sept. 24: Concussions - Listen
    Sept. 17: Automatic First Downs - Listen
    Sept. 10: Correcting a Down - Listen
    Sept 3:     Spearing - Listen
    Aug. 27: Missed Field Goal - Listen