Oregon Schools are Running out of Referees
By Joe Hathaway on Tuesday, July 11th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
NORTHEAST OREGON – High school sports programs in northeast Oregon and across the state are facing a growing crisis as the state grapples with a shortage of qualified officials. The dwindling number of officials has raised concerns about game disruptions, declining game quality, and potential safety risks for student-athletes.
As local high schools gear up for fall sports, the Oregon Athletic Officials Association (OAOA) and the Oregon School Activities Association both say there is an urgent need to recruit officials for football, volleyball and soccer.
Becoming a high school official has several benefits including staying involved in athletics, maintaining good physical condition and earning money, according to OAOA Executive Director Jack Folliard.
“Oregon has an urgent need for officials in all sports,” Folliard said. “Officials provide valuable service to high schools and students, make a positive impact in the community and build relationships.”
The pandemic accelerated the decline in people signing up to become officials and one of the primary factors contributing to the shortage is the aging workforce. Many experienced officials are reaching retirement age, leaving a significant void in the officiating community. Despite this, efforts to attract new individuals to fill these roles have been inadequate.
“The lack of a new generation of officials entering the field is a major concern for us,” said Folliard. “We need to actively recruit and train new officials to ensure the continuity of high-quality officiating.”
Time commitment also plays a crucial role in dissuading potential officials from taking up officiating roles. The demanding nature of the job, which includes attending meetings, training sessions, and officiating games, can be overwhelming for individuals with other personal or professional obligations.
However, it is not just the time commitment that deters aspiring officials. The environment in which officials operate has become increasingly challenging. Verbal abuse and even physical threats from players, coaches, and spectators have become all too common, causing potential officials to think twice before committing to the role.
The shortage of officials has already impacted high school sports programs in Oregon. Game cancellations, rescheduling, and playing with fewer officials have become more prevalent, disrupting the regular season schedules. Local schools are seeing those effects as well.
Elgin School District Superintendent Diane Greif says the high school football team had to constantly change its schedule.
“Friday night’s are for high school football, but because of a lack of officials available, we had to exclusively play Thursday nights,” said Greif.
Furthermore, the shortage poses safety risks for student-athletes. Officials play a critical role in ensuring fair play and enforcing safety guidelines during games. With fewer officials available, adequately monitoring and enforcing safety measures become challenging, potentially increasing the risk of injuries.
Retaining officials is also a priority for Oregon. Establishing mentorship programs and providing ongoing professional development opportunities are some strategies being employed to encourage officials to remain in the field.
Additionally, the OAOA says steps are being taken to improve the working conditions for officials. Stricter enforcement of codes of conduct, prompt action against abuse and harassment, and creating a respectful environment are crucial in making officiating an attractive and safe endeavor.
The OAOA says the shortage of high school officials in Oregon demands immediate attention from all stakeholders involved in interscholastic sports. By recruiting and retaining new officials, improving working conditions, and utilizing technological advancements, the state can ensure the continued success and integrity of high school sports.
There’s also monetary incentives, with schools now paying more money to those who sign up to officiate.
Those interested should visit www.newofficials.org.
