How to Become an Official

THE CHALLENGE of officiating can provide some great personal rewards. As an official you must make instantaneous decisions, resolve conflicts and deal with stress and pressure. You are in a position to be a positive role model around children and young adults.

Most officials start at the youth and recreational program level. As you improve your skills and gain confidence you'll begin to ascend the ladder and work middle school and high school level games. From there, you may choose to seek advancement into the small college and major college programs where officials are "scouted" by assigners, league commissioners or coaches. The final step for a fortunate and successful few is the pro leagues. Only after many years of hard work and selfless dedication might an official reach that pinnacle.

Sports officials must be able to bring control to chaos; understand fairness; promote safety and encourage good sportsmanship. A sports official must have the positive characteristics of a police officer, lawyer, judge, accountant, reporter, athlete and diplomat.

A good sports official is also someone who can be put in a position of authority and handle the responsibility without being overbearing. As a sports official, you're in charge, but it's the players who the fans have come to watch, not you.

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IF YOU'RE SERIOUS about becoming an official, then consider these important questions before you begin your career: Are you physically fit? Officiating most sports requires some running and endurance. Active sports such as football, baseball, hockey, basketball, soccer, wrestling or boxing require the officials to be in constant motion.

•	Are you emotionally prepared? Sports officials are placed in highly charged situations that are stressful. Are you calm under pressure? Can you take verbal criticism without becoming defensive? Can you stay calm when confronted by others who are not in control of themselves?
•	Do you have the time to commit to becoming a qualified and competent official? Reading a rulebook isn't all it takes. A good official truly understands the nuances of the game. While you may never have played the game competitively yourself, you should have a "feel" for the flow and spirit of the game. Are you able to work games when the opportunity arrives? Are you committed to attending association meetings and training clinics designed to help you improve?
•	Do you have the right perspective to do the job? If you think officiating can be fun, you're right. Sports officials get so much more from officiating than a paycheck. If your perspective is right, you'll find officiating to be a great way to make new friends, learn important people skills and much more.
•	Are you intellectually fit? Knowing the rules is a small part of the overall responsibilities of an official. Do you understand the rules and how to apply them fairly?

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•	For youth levels: Contact your local YMCA or YWCA and local parks and recreation department for an official's organization.
•	For high school officiating: Contact your state high school association. It will put you in touch with a local officials association.

Good luck in your efforts. Both NASO and Referee magazine http://www.referee.com provide comprehensive officiating information, which is especially helpful to new officials.

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"I get excited just getting out there and being part of such a game that is so great."

– Ed Hightower, NCAA Division I basketball referee

"It takes a special person – a person with integrity, courage and good judgment. It takes someone extraordinary."

– Barry Mano, President of the National Association of Sports Officials

"As an official I am able to participate in the education of young men and women who, through their participation in athletics, learn sportsmanship, fairness, and equity – how to play by the rules."

– Jerry Duplechin, Breaux Bridge, Louisiana high school official

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