A Narrower Scope to Target New Officials
October 12, 2012
By Rob Kaminski
MHSAA benchmarks editor
Several years ago, MHSAA schools received thousands of postcards imploring graduating student-athletes to “Stay in the Game” by registering as contest officials.
A miniscule portion of that quantity found its way back to 1661 Ramblewood Drive. It’s a better bet you are reading this issue of benchmarks on the rest, in the form of recycled paper.
The plan for 2012-13, then, was to move away from the mass marketing approach and narrow the scope with the help of school administrators. Each MHSAA member school athletic director was sent a memo last May, along with two registration invitations. The memo simply asked the ADs to identify two officiating candidates from the senior class and deliver the special registration form. Completed forms were returned to the MHSAA, which not only waived all sign-up fees for the student’s first year, but also set the rookies up with local associations and training opportunities.
“We took this approach as a more measured strategy knowing that officiating is not for everyone,” said MHSAA Assistant Director Mark Uyl. “Instead of marketing to everyone, we hoped that ADs would give serious time and thought in selecting two graduating seniors who seemed best equipped in terms of personality and comportment for officiating.”
Uyl set a modest goal of attracting 50 new officials through this program, and the Association is nearly halfway there at this printing, as 22 young men and women will make their first calls during the 2012-13 season.
Or, at least their first calls at the high school level. One of the “rookies” is Jake Hodges, who co-captained Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett to the 2012 MHSAA Division 3 Ice Hockey title.
“I have been a USA Hockey ref for six years, and I plan to continue in college. It is good income,” said Hodges, who also plans to work lacrosse. “I had planned to register anyway so the free registration was great. I expect to work often and continue to be a solid ref. I also played lacrosse for four years and think that will allow for a good transition.”
The process has culled candidates from Michigan’s cities, suburbs and rural areas, from below and above the Mackinac Bridge.
“I have always been interested in officiating. The biggest incentive was the free registration,” said Negaunee’s Kevin Price, who registered in baseball, softball and basketball. “I hope this year will be a learning experience as I work games with long-time officials. As a player, I got to know many officials and we have become friends. The local officials in my area have done a great job giving me advice on my upcoming ‘rookie’ season.”
Many students registered for more than one sport, with a high of seven sports for Montrel Hill of Melvindale.
Early returns give Uyl and the MHSAA reason for optimism.
“We will continue this incentive plan again next year as we try to grow the pool of new, young officials,” Uyl said.
PHOTO: Jake Hodges (center) hoists the MHSAA Division 3 championship trophy after his Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett team claimed the title in March.
NOTE: This is the third installment in the series "Making – and Answering – the Call" detailing the careers and service of MHSAA officials. Click the links below to view the two.
Title IX at 50: Girls Lacrosse Finals Officials Set Empowering Example
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
June 14, 2022
Saturday's MHSAA Girls Lacrosse Finals – and notably the two crews who officiated those two championship games – perfectly exemplified what we’ve commemorated in recalling the legislation and opportunities Title IX has provided for girls and women in athletics over the last half-century.
Eight women – four for each game – officiated this season’s girls lacrosse championship contests: Anne Acluche, from West Bloomfield; Sierra Bain, Ferndale; Laura Berger, Lake Orion; Ellery Blasch, Alto; Sydney Jaenicke, Rockford; Virginia Merlo, Ferndale; Marci Schaeffer, Eaton Rapids; and Paige Winne, from Lansing. Berger (15 years) and Acluche (14) both have officiated girls lacrosse nearly since its beginning as an MHSAA-sponsored sport in 2005.
MHSAA assistant director Kathy Vruggink Westdorp explained the significance of these all-woman officiating crews in her letter to each announcing their selection for the Finals:
“You are an important part of the past as well as the future of girls and women’s sports.
“While watching girls lacrosse throughout the last eighteen years, it has been amazing to see the evolution of the game. The athleticism that we see today by some of Michigan’s most skilled female athletes would never have been possible without the passage of Title IX and the offerings of sports for girls and women through our nation’s schools. … You have all been an important part of this journey as role models for these young women.
“Thank you for providing opportunities, action and validation for young girls and women. We will continue to be charged with educating and empowering the next generation in this quest. It is so exciting that youth today can see female athletes, officials and administrators lead the way to a future with unlimited options.”
Both championship games ended with 12-11 scores – Brighton edging Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern/Eastern in overtime in Division 1, and East Grand Rapids narrowly defeating Detroit Country Day by sudden victory in Division 2.
Second Half's weekly Title IX Celebration posts are sponsored by Michigan Army National Guard.
Previous Title IX at 50 Spotlights
June 7: From Gymnastics to Wrestling, Girls Opportunities Continue to Grow - Read
May 31: Mumford Sprinter's Magnificent 2006 Final Remains Unmatched - Read
May 24: Scane, Whiteside Alone on 400-Goal, 500-Point Girls Lacrosse Lists - Read
May 17: Over 8 Days in 1988, Pair of Champs Set No. 1 Singles Standard - Read
May 10: Portage Central's Tarpley Scores as State's Superstar, U.S. Soccer Hero - Read
May 3: Prychitko 'Legend In Her Own Time,' Legend for All Time - Read
April 26: Braddock vs. Verdun Still Striding Among All-Time Sprint Matchups - Read
April 19: Holmes' Strikeout Record Rarely Approached, May Be Unbreakable - Read
April 12: Anticipation High as 45,000 Girls Return to Spring Sports - Read
April 5: Regina's Laffey Retiring as Definition of Legendary - Read
March 29: Edison's Whitehorn named 2022 Miss Basketball - Read
March 22: Carney-Nadeau Sets Girls Hoops Standard with 78-Win Streak - Read
March 15: Binder Among Voices Telling Our Story on MHSAA Network - Read
March 8: 28 Years, Thousands of Cheers - Read
March 1: Kearsley Rolls On Among Girls Bowling's Early Successes - Read
Feb. 22: Marquette Ties Record for Swim & Dive Finals Success - Read
Feb. 15: Jaeger's 2004 Winter Run Created Lasting Connection - Read
Feb. 8: Marian's Cicerone to Finish Among All-Time Elite - Read
Feb. 1: WISL Award Honors Builders of State's Girls Sports Tradition - Read
Jan. 25: Decades Later, Edwards' Legend Continues to Grow - Read
Jan. 18: Iron Mountain Completes Championship Climb - Read
Jan. 11: Harrold's Achievement Heralds Growth of Girls Wrestling - Read
Dec. 20: Competitive Cheer Gives Michigan Plenty to Cheer About - Read
Dec. 14: Evelyn's Game Had Plenty of Magic - Read
Dec. 7: Council Term Ends, But Leinaar Leaves Lasting Impact - Read
Nov. 30: Basketball Season Ready to Add to Rich Tradition - Read
Nov. 23: Marysville Builds Winning Streak Yet to be Challenged - Read
Nov. 16: Wroubel Has Championed Girls School Sports from Their Start - Read
Nov. 9: Pioneer's Joyce Legendary in Michigan, National Swim History - Read
Nov. 2: Royal Oak's Finch Leading Way on Football Field - Read
Oct. 26: Coach Clegg Sets Championship Standard at Grand Blanc - Read
Oct. 19: Rockford Girls Set Pace, Hundreds After Have Continued to Chase - Read
Oct. 12: Bedford Volleyball Pioneer Continues Blazing Record-Setting Trail - Read
Oct. 5: Warner Paved Way to Legend Status with Record Rounds - Read
Sept. 28: Taylor Kennedy Gymnasts Earn Fame as 1st Champions - Read
Sept. 21: Portage Northern Star Byington Becomes Play-by-Play Pioneer - Read
Sept. 14: Guerra/Groat Legacy Continues to Serve St. Philip Well - Read
Sept. 7: Best-Ever Conversation Must Include Leland's Glass - Read
Aug. 31: We Will Celebrate Many Who Paved the Way - Read
PHOTO From left: Virginia Merlo, Laura Berger, Paige Winne, Ellery Blasch, Sydney Jaenicke, Sierra Bain, Anne Acluche and Marci Schaeffer. (MHSAA file photo)