referees

consortium
April 13, 2022

NFHS Holds Officials Consortium This Week

Leaders from more than 50 sports organizations have descended on Indianapolis this week to discuss the recruitment and retention of officials during the first-ever NFHS Officials Consortium at the Conrad Hotel. A recent survey of state high ...


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...


junior
February 23, 2022

Junior Hockey Player Banned for Life after Punching Ref

A Massachusetts junior hockey player has received a lifetime ban from the United States Premier Hockey League after he punched a referee in the face. Video from the incident shows the Massachusetts-based South Shore Kings player shoving a referee ...


misdemeanor
February 15, 2022

Kentucky Considers Misdemeanor Charge for Intimidating Refs

If you're in the state of Kentucky and harass an official during a high school or youth sporting event, you could be facing misdemeanor charges in the near future. According to a recent report from Local12.com, Kentucky lawmakers are considering l...


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 ...


nebraska
October 6, 2021

PA High School Releases Statement After Player Pushed Ref Post-Game

A Pennsylvania school district released a statement earlier this week confirming that a member from its football team attacked an official during a Friday evening game. On Monday, following Spring Grove High School's Friday evening game against Do...


survey
June 17, 2021

Coach&AD’s 2021 Coaches Survey

Referee shortages, the safety of players, staff, and personnel, and social media issues are just a few of the hot-button issues highlighted in our fourth annual Coaches Survey.  Back in 2018, Coach & Athletic Director issued a survey to high ...