November/December 2024 - 32

REFEREE SHORTAGE
STEMMING
THE TIDE
Athletic associations start to see
reversal of referee shortages
By Wesley Sykes, managing editor
T
he referee shortage across the country that has
plagued high school athletics has seemed to have
tapered off in 2024. The National Federation of
State High School Associations (NFHS) reported during
the 2022-23 school year that over 50,000 officials have
left their positions since 2018, with some states reporting
a 30% decline in active referees. This decline has led to
rescheduled games, reduced referee coverage, and, in
extreme cases, cancellations.
The shortage has been fueled by several factors,
including low pay, long hours, and increasing levels of
verbal and physical abuse from spectators and coaches,
which, according to the NFHS survey, caused 80% of
officials to quit within their first three years on the job.
Additionally, poor treatment from coaches, players, and fans
was the leading reason for officials quitting, with 60% of
officials stating in a 2022 Referee Association survey that
verbal abuse is their primary reason for quitting.
High schools and athletic associations, however, were not
idly standing by as numbers dwindled. Across the country,
efforts were made to promote the profession while
attempting to curb misconduct directed toward referees.
The Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association
(OSSAA) told News 9 in September that while the number
of officials has increased in recent years, the average age
of referees is 57. Part of that increase is due to an increase
in playoff pay while harping on its coaches and spectators
to improve sportsmanship efforts.
" You're not yelling at a whistle, you're not yelling at a
shirt, you're yelling at a person, " Grant Gower, OSSAA
assistant director, told News 9. " So, you need to have that
respect for that person or the person sitting next to you in
32 COACH & A.D. | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024

November/December 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November/December 2024

Table of Contents
Between the Lines
Athletic Administration
CSCCA Strength Focus: Preparation is King
Facility Focus: What's Trending in Sports Facilities
Feature: Strength Training Facilities of Excellence
Coaching Focus: Prepping for Pressure
Referee Shortage: Stemming the Tide
Sport Focus: Serving Up Success
Athletic Administration: Q&A.D.
Leadership Focus: Learning on the Job
Product Focus: Game Changing Products
Product Marketplace
Ad Index
November/December 2024 - 1
November/December 2024 - 2
November/December 2024 - Table of Contents
November/December 2024 - Between the Lines
November/December 2024 - 5
November/December 2024 - Athletic Administration
November/December 2024 - 7
November/December 2024 - 8
November/December 2024 - 9
November/December 2024 - 10
November/December 2024 - 11
November/December 2024 - 12
November/December 2024 - 13
November/December 2024 - CSCCA Strength Focus: Preparation is King
November/December 2024 - 15
November/December 2024 - 16
November/December 2024 - 17
November/December 2024 - 18
November/December 2024 - 19
November/December 2024 - Facility Focus: What's Trending in Sports Facilities
November/December 2024 - 21
November/December 2024 - 22
November/December 2024 - 23
November/December 2024 - Feature: Strength Training Facilities of Excellence
November/December 2024 - 25
November/December 2024 - 26
November/December 2024 - 27
November/December 2024 - 28
November/December 2024 - 29
November/December 2024 - Coaching Focus: Prepping for Pressure
November/December 2024 - 31
November/December 2024 - Referee Shortage: Stemming the Tide
November/December 2024 - 33
November/December 2024 - 34
November/December 2024 - 35
November/December 2024 - Sport Focus: Serving Up Success
November/December 2024 - 37
November/December 2024 - 38
November/December 2024 - 39
November/December 2024 - 40
November/December 2024 - 41
November/December 2024 - Athletic Administration: Q&A.D.
November/December 2024 - 43
November/December 2024 - 44
November/December 2024 - 45
November/December 2024 - Leadership Focus: Learning on the Job
November/December 2024 - 47
November/December 2024 - 48
November/December 2024 - 49
November/December 2024 - 50
November/December 2024 - 51
November/December 2024 - Product Focus: Game Changing Products
November/December 2024 - 53
November/December 2024 - 54
November/December 2024 - 55
November/December 2024 - 56
November/December 2024 - 57
November/December 2024 - 58
November/December 2024 - 59
November/December 2024 - 60
November/December 2024 - 61
November/December 2024 - 62
November/December 2024 - 63
November/December 2024 - Product Marketplace
November/December 2024 - 65
November/December 2024 - Ad Index
November/December 2024 - 67
November/December 2024 - 68
November/December 2024 - 69
November/December 2024 - 70
November/December 2024 - 71
November/December 2024 - 72
November/December 2024 - 73
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November/December 2024 - 84
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