referees

boycott
November 15, 2023

California high school soccer refs boycott for higher pay

For months, high school officials in Southern California have been threatening to boycott their assignments if they did not get a fee increase from the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section. On November 13, the officials sta...


illinois
October 31, 2023

Illinois students can take online officiating course

High school students in Illinois are taking classes to get their referee licenses to officiate youth sports referees. When the students pass the class, they become licensed referees for the Illinois High School Association and Illinois Elementary ...


hawaii
October 10, 2023

Hawaii high school homecoming game canceled due to referee scheduling error

A homecoming football was canceled over the week in Hawaii after a scheduling error resulted in having no referees for the game. Last Saturday, Kalani and Kalaheo High Schools were set to square off in a homecoming contest. A recent story from ...


officials
September 21, 2023

Efforts to create better relationships between coaches and officials

Even casual observers, and most definitely athletic administrators, should be aware that there is a national shortage of officials. More referees and umpires are leaving the profession than new individuals are joining the ranks. The most commonly giv...


piaa
May 31, 2023

Ohio high school offers semester-long referee course

An Ohio high school is doing its part in ensuring the future of scholastic sports won't continue to be threatened by a referee shortage. Boardman High School has started a sports officiating pilot class this school year and plans to offer a ...


iowa
March 2, 2023

Iowa student section ejected for ‘bullying’ refs

An entire student section was ejected from an Iowa high school basketball last week after a referee had enough of their antics. On February 24, the Lincoln High School basketball team from Des Moines traveled to Northwest High School, which boaste...


referees
October 31, 2022

NJSIAA Bans Ref From Postseason Games After Viral Video

A viral post on social media regarding a questionable spot during a first-down measurement in a New Jersey high school football game has gained national attention. The video shows a referee deliberately moving the ball well after it was spotted. T...


piaa
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...