January/February 2022 - 26

Are you feeling the squeeze of referee shortages in your area?
Yes
No
0% 10% 20%
Official-ly a 'Crisis'
The National Federation of State
High School Associations (NFHS)
executive director Dr. Karissa Niehoff
recently labeled the nationwide referee
shortage a 'crisis.' And judging by the
response of administrators surveyed,
they agree. Nearly 87% of respondents
said they are feeling the squeeze
of referee shortages and the fix -
according to them - appears to be tied
to financial support.
" Waive registration fees, provide
mentors and provide a source that
provides gear (protective equipment
and appropriate dress) for a reasonable
price, " one respondent offered up.
Others surveyed suggested " getting
control of parents and spectators,
30%
40%
50% 60%
" recruiting from 'non-traditional'
sources - be inclusive to women, "
as well as review certification
requirements.
Another respondent suggested
tying referee requirements to sports
management or physical education
curriculum. " We can potentially generate
officials by certifying them as part of a
curriculum, " this respondent said.
No RSVP for the Participation
Party?
Transportation issues. The evergrowing
club sports culture. Athlete
specialization. Pandemic hangovers.
These are just a few of the reasons
participation has declined in athletics
across the country. Below is a brief
70% 80% 90% 100%
sampling of the growing participation
decline issue within high school athletic
departments.
" I'm concerned because our
participation numbers at the middle
school level continue to shrink which
likely means fewer high school students
will play athletics, " one anonymous
respondent noted.
Another said, " During the 202021
COVID-19 virtual learning
season, parents were responsible for
transportation to and from practices
every day and with some teams to
games. Regrettably in my opinion, in the
State of DE, this was the beginning of
the end of low participation numbers.
This specific transportation issue gave
families who were in the bubble about
What's On Your Mind: A Six-Year Snapshot
Here's our annual ranking of the most concerning issues for high school athletic directors
compared with how they ranked in previous years. Percentages represent athletic directors
who said they were at least moderately concerned about that particular issue.
1. Finding Qualified Coaches
2. Finding Staff for Events
3. Problems with Parents
4. Athlete Specialization
5. Additional Responsibilities
6. Participation Decline
7. Reduced School Funding
8. Legal/Liability Issues
9. HR Issues
26 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022
2021-22
91.4%
85.7%
81.3%
78.5%
79.5%
76.4%
75.1%
73.4%
71.4%
2020-21
84.7% (4)
79.6% (5T)
63.1% (10)
68.6% (9)
71.8% (8)
79.6% (5-T)
85.4% (2)
74.2% (7)
56.7% (12)
2019-20
1
2
4
10
5
7
3
8
9
2018-19
1
4
2
7
5
8
3
9
10
2017-18
1
5
6
3
4
8
2
7
9
2016-17
1
6
3
7
5
10
2
4
8

January/February 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of January/February 2022

January/February 2022 - 1
January/February 2022 - 2
January/February 2022 - 3
January/February 2022 - 4
January/February 2022 - 5
January/February 2022 - 6
January/February 2022 - 7
January/February 2022 - 8
January/February 2022 - 9
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