“He’s blind, he’s deaf… I want to be a ref.”
Things like this being shouted from student “superfan” sections are one thing, but when the harassment from parents and grand parents escalates that is something else entirely.
Things like this being shouted from student “superfan” sections are one thing, but when the harassment from parents and grand parents escalates that is something else entirely.
| Sports officials have been shrugging with this stuff for years and many have either chosen to get out of it, or won't even subject themselves to it in the first place. Officials like long-time basketball and volleyball referee George Schroeder have noted that has been a growing and real problem and is one of the main reasons there is currently a shortage of quality officials today. “People just don’t want to put themselves in that kind of situation,” said Schroeder about the shrinking pool of high school officials in nearly all sports. “It can be brutal, but it comes with the territory.” This past season, at a small school girls basketball game with only a few dozen fans in the entire gymnasium, a fan was ejected after threatening an official vowing to meet the official outside after the game was over. |   |
Without officials, your kids do not play!
Let that sink in next time you let your emotions overtake your tongue and finger pointing.
Schroeder has reffed basketball and volleyball for nearly 60 years and credits many of his family vacations on the extra income he earned from donning the black and white stripes. Varsity officials get $80, JV, $59 and junior high $54 per game.
Let that sink in next time you let your emotions overtake your tongue and finger pointing.
Schroeder has reffed basketball and volleyball for nearly 60 years and credits many of his family vacations on the extra income he earned from donning the black and white stripes. Varsity officials get $80, JV, $59 and junior high $54 per game.
  | “It is a real problem with every sport,” said Franklin High School athletic director Becky Barnes. She and other AD's are responsible for obtaining officials for all the high school, middle school and often junior high school games their athletic programs provide. This past year several games had to be rescheduled due to lack of officials, Many junior varsity games were just cancelled. Tim LaVan at Oil City has been working with high school kids on a junior ref program and has seen some results. “I actually have been targeting Jr. officials, high school 16-18 year olds for two years,” said LaVan. “We have 15+ Jr officials in our basketball chapter alone. Lisa (LaVan) and I were able to get 60+ interested high school students across all sports in the fall.” |
So it’s beginning to pay off.
"This is a great way to get young people into officiating," said Leah Ann Williams, who is organizing other ways to increase the number of local officials. "He and his wife Lisa have been huge proponents of this program, including registration, assigning and mentoring these young officials."
"This is a great way to get young people into officiating," said Leah Ann Williams, who is organizing other ways to increase the number of local officials. "He and his wife Lisa have been huge proponents of this program, including registration, assigning and mentoring these young officials."
| Barnes said she knows the PIAA is actively trying to recruit more officials. She and LaVan said District 10 is offering $300 to offset equipment costs that can be a bit of upfront expense. “The costs include clearances (about $60), any local chapter fees (free up to $50) and uniforms/equipment which usually run from $175-300 depending on the sport,” according to LaVan. In an attempt to solve the problem the PIAA is waiving the registration fees for junior referees in hopes of getting younger people involved. Schroeder began his long career in college and it has kept him busy with extra pocket change ever since. He has reffed basketball at all levels and is one of the top volleyball refs in the business. Getting young people involved gives them a skill they can use to make money while going to college. Between scholastic and summer/travel leagues there is a lot of need for qualified officials. |  |
Williams was recently promoting a series of workshops on Sunday afternoons in Sharpesville.
"There is a great need for officials in all sports. As a 25-year basketball official and a five-year football official, recruitment of new referees is important to me," said Williams, who is helping organizing and publsizing this recruitment initiative. "I'm a 60 year old retired teacher, former coach and college athlete.”
One of the issues is just that, Williams is 60 and she is one of the younger officials. Schroeder has been doing it for over 50 years, almost 60 so you can do the math on his age. And he’s not the oldest.
"There is a great need for officials in all sports. As a 25-year basketball official and a five-year football official, recruitment of new referees is important to me," said Williams, who is helping organizing and publsizing this recruitment initiative. "I'm a 60 year old retired teacher, former coach and college athlete.”
One of the issues is just that, Williams is 60 and she is one of the younger officials. Schroeder has been doing it for over 50 years, almost 60 so you can do the math on his age. And he’s not the oldest.
“My mantra: 'If I can do it, you can too’,” Williams said.
Anyone interested in helping keep youth sports thriving can check out one of these informational clinics held from 1 to 3 p.m. on April 7, 14 and 21 at the Sharpsville High School.
Williams and her fellow referees will cover a variety of information, including how to become a PIAA official and the Junior Officials program for high school students at least 16 years old.
Officials representing basketball, football, soccer, wrestling, volleyball, lacrosse, softball, baseball, and track and field will be on hand to cover the following:
LaVan is also on hand to talk with high school students about Junior Officials program in all sports.
Those interested in becoming a PIAA Official or Junior Official can take the PIAA test on April 21 at Sharpesville or schedule it on their own for a later day.
The group kicked off the effort earlier this month and was encouraged by the turnout.
"We had 10 new officials in six different sports signed up at the first session on March 10. This includes five new Junior Officials," Williams said.
There is no preregistation requirements, but those with questions can reach out to Williams at [email protected].
Anyone interested in helping keep youth sports thriving can check out one of these informational clinics held from 1 to 3 p.m. on April 7, 14 and 21 at the Sharpsville High School.
Williams and her fellow referees will cover a variety of information, including how to become a PIAA official and the Junior Officials program for high school students at least 16 years old.
Officials representing basketball, football, soccer, wrestling, volleyball, lacrosse, softball, baseball, and track and field will be on hand to cover the following:
- Steps to become a PIAA Official. Testing, equipment, clearances, training, chapter meetings and dues.
- Breakout Q & A sessions on specific sports run by experienced officials.
- National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) rules for each sport.
- On court demonstrations and mentoring by sport officials.
- Take practice tests with experienced officials.
LaVan is also on hand to talk with high school students about Junior Officials program in all sports.
Those interested in becoming a PIAA Official or Junior Official can take the PIAA test on April 21 at Sharpesville or schedule it on their own for a later day.
The group kicked off the effort earlier this month and was encouraged by the turnout.
"We had 10 new officials in six different sports signed up at the first session on March 10. This includes five new Junior Officials," Williams said.
There is no preregistation requirements, but those with questions can reach out to Williams at [email protected].
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