referee shortages

hockey
September 2, 2022

OHSAA Offers Online Training for Referees

Amid the ongoing nationwide referee shortage, one state association is attempting to make it easier for referees to get certified. The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) announced earlier this week the addition of a new website that wil...


nebraska
August 31, 2022

Referee Shortages Affecting Fall Sports in Multiple States

Parts of Maine, Tennessee, New York, and Minnesota are seeing the early signs of strain in their fall sports seasons due to the ongoing referee shortages facing the country currently. As the calendar turns from August to September, the fall sports...


referees
March 31, 2022

Cincinnati Area Referees Face Shortages, Fan Abuse

Much like the rest of the country, the Cincinnati area is facing an official shortage at the middle school and high school level — particularly soccer referees. While the COVID-19 pandemic exasperated the issue — pushing older referees into re...


hall of fame
October 26, 2021

NFHS Cites Referee Shortage in US as ‘Crisis Level’

Since taking on the position of the executive director of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), Dr. Karissa Niehoff has penned op-eds on issues surrounding high school athletics. So when the ever-growing referee shortag...


homecoming
October 13, 2021

Michigan HS Cancels Homecoming Game Due to Referee Shortage

A Michigan high school football team was forced to cancel its homecoming game because of a lack of available referees. Mount Clemens High School principal Kirk Duncan sent out a letter to all parents informing them of the canceled game, although t...


officials
October 7, 2021

Citing Abuse, MA Hockey Officials Quitting En Masse

As of October 5, Massachusetts youth hockey referees have lost roughly half of their officials from a year ago due to ongoing harassment and abuse from parents, coaches, and players. Typically, the Association for Referees of Massachusetts Hockey ...


referees
September 27, 2021

Oregon’s HS Referee Shortage Expected to Worsen with Upcoming Vaccination Mandate

By October 18, all K-12 school employees and volunteers in Oregon will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19, according to an announcement from Gov. Kate Brown. The requirement will also extend to those who work with students, including re...


tssaa
January 19, 2021

TSSAA Reverses Course of Referee Pay Cut

After initially announcing that high school basketball referees will receive a $25 pay cut for each night they officiate the game, the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) has reversed course. Roughly 10 days after making the de...