WXYZ – The shortage of referees is growing in Metro Detroit. It’s a big problem with fall games around the corner and dedicated athletes ready to compete.
We found that there are two big factors that drive referees to the sidelines. The first? Fears of COVID-19 have resulted in speakers being out of business – or not returning at all.
The second reason has been a problem for decades: parents and coaches, not being nice with officials!
Brent Rice, assistant director of the Michigan High School Athletic Association, says it’s not uncommon for referees to decline 3 to 5% annually. But last year the MHSAA lost 14% of the officials from the previous year. Fortunately, there is hope on the horizon.
“We are in the process of registering so we don’t know what these numbers look like. It looks like there is some recovery which is positive at this point,” said Rice.
Rice says referees usually get relegated in any sport. This year, however, there have been notable declines in football and basketball. Given the COVID concerns, we have been trying to figure out what is being done to reassure the referees.
The MHSAA leadership says it is constantly reevaluating the protocols for arbitrators and listening to instructions from the Michigan Department of Human and Health Services. Referees can also protect themselves by taking precautions where they see fit.
John Douglas, a college-level football official, says the referee shortage extends beyond high school sports. Douglas says about 60% of Michigan’s football speakers disappeared during the pandemic – making an ongoing problem even worse.
“We were already under-staffed by 30 to 40% – and then COVID cut our numbers by another 50 to 60% – so we are probably at about a quarter of what we would like numbers to be. “Douglas offered.
Along with COVID, Douglas points out that there is an important reason for pressure that referees finally pack their bags. Sometimes they even choose jobs that pay less!
“You don’t do this job while you’re running and sweating and getting yelled at and adrenaline rushing through your body,” explained Douglas.
It is not easy to recruit new officials or get old ones to return. The Michigan Referee Committee sometimes offers incentives. This ranges from the waiver of registration fees to the uniform assumption of costs.
Both Douglas and Rice say coaches and parents need to improve first in order for the referee shortage to improve.
“Officials have long been universally despised … officials are not treated properly,” Rice told 7 Action News.
“Probably the ones who stop first are the worst, but we never give them a chance to be good … if we don’t treat our referees kindly, you won’t have a referee,” warns Douglas.
Douglas says the best training for umpires is on-the-job training. The college official says that first of all, expect to make some mistakes; it’s all part of the process.
The Michigan High School Athletic Association is looking for judges aged 18 and over. You must have left high school.
The Michigan Referee Committee is looking for soccer referees. You only have to be 13 years old to apply. You can get started online.
Due to the shortage, expect the option to purchase additional games. On the other hand, additional games mean more money in your pocket.
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