referees

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 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 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 ...

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...

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 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...

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...

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...