Be the Referee: Summer Camps

June 6, 2019

This week, assistant director Brent Rice explains how officials, like athletes, will be sharpening their skills during the summer. 

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 – Summer Camps - Listen

Student-athletes aren’t the only ones heading off to camp this summer to improve their game. Many MHSAA officials also attend camps and clinics during the summer to continue to hone their skills and stay up-to-date on rules and interpretations.

The MHSAA is hosting two camps this year in conjunction with the Reaching Higher basketball and volleyball events. The MHSAA basketball officials camp will be held on June 23, and the new volleyball officials camp will take place on July 18 – both at Milford High School.

There are a number of other terrific camps and clinics around the state this summer and throughout the year. If you’re interested in attending one to learn the sport or sharpen your skills, you can check out available opportunities on the Officials page of MHSAA.com.

Past editions

May 23: Girls Lacrosse Self Start - Listen
May 16: Lodged Ball - Listen
May 9: Bounced Pitch - Listen
May 2: Boys Lacrosse Safety - Listen
April 25: Softball Illegal Pitch - Listen
March 21: Instant Replay in Basketball - Listen
March 14: Basket Interference - Listen
March 7: Primary Areas - Listen
February 28: Under the Bus - Listen
February 21: You Make the Call - Listen
February 14: Because They Love It - Listen
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

In Memoriam: Paul Price (1950-2023)

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

July 14, 2023

The MHSAA recently published its annual list of officials who have reached milestone years in their service to Michigan school sports. On the “40 Years” registration list was the name of Paul Price, a longtime official most recently from Republic who has been missed greatly especially in the Upper Peninsula officiating community since his death in January.

Price, who died Jan. 9 at the age of 72, began his officiating career with the MHSAA with basketball during the 1973-74 school year. Also an educator, he taught, directed, administrated and coached in Michigan, Colorado and Michigan again. He added softball and volleyball to his officiating in 1991-92, football in 1995-96, and over the last eight years was registered in football, basketball, volleyball, cross country and track & field while also taking an active roll in leadership and mentorship in those communities.

He was a mainstay at the Upper Peninsula Track & Field Finals and was missed there at this season’s championship event in June. He’ll be missed similarly in November at the 8-Player Football Finals at Northern Michigan University, where he’d coordinated the chain crew for the MHSAA’s two championship games at the Superior Dome.

Price was a graduate of East Lansing High School and Central Michigan University, and finished his educational career in 2011 as superintendent of Republic-Michigamme Schools. He previously had served as principal and athletic director at Fife Lake Forest Area among other stops, and he was recalled as a mentor to administrators as well during his many years in education.

PHOTO Paul Price, second from left, takes a minute for an officials photo during the 2022 Upper Peninsula Track & Field Finals at Kingsford. (Photo by Cara Kamps.)