Referee shortage continues across Siouxland

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — School is back in session, and that means sports are starting up. However, finding referees continues to be a problem.

Jason Slaughter’s been a ref for more than 20 years. He says finding judges for high school sports has been an issue for some time.

“When I first became an official, there was talk about a shortage of officials, but I’m not sure we really understood the impact and the long-term effects that we’re going to have,” Slaughter said.

The shortage worsened in 2020.

“When COVID hit, there was a lot of ‘hey, we understand if you don’t want to officiate.’ Well, then a lot of those officials didn’t come back,” referee Matt Schilling said. “And we’re seeing that the average age of an official right now is around 58 years old, so guys aren’t getting any younger.”

With fewer people able to referee a game, judges are sometimes left in difficult positions.

“During the 2023 season, there was a game where there weren’t any officials two days prior to the game, a baseball game in Lawton,” Schilling said. “I ended up being the only official that showed up for the game and I umpired it solo behind the plate.”

“If you have a three-man crew for basketball, let’s say, and they go down or someone gets sick or has to get a family emergency, they can’t officiate or you have to scramble to find a third person,” Slaughter said. “So you could do the game two-man but three is, it’s nicer, easier.”

However, refs are confident the next generation will step up to the plate.

“It’s going to be critical that we continue to find new officials, you know, and recruit them,” Slaughter said. “And, you know, the younger generation is going to have to be the ones to take over and help because that’s where it’s at.”

“Try to get kids as they’re leaving high school,” Schilling said. “You try to get not only star athletes, but just athletes that are on the team. ‘Hey, do you still love this sport?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Well, here’s how you can stay involved.'”

If you’re interested in becoming a referee in Siouxland, click here .

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