Wyoming is grappling with a growing shortage of referees across high school sports, particularly as the state enters the winter basketball and wrestling seasons, Cowboy State Daily reports.
The shortage, which began during the football season, has forced schools to adjust schedules, moving games to less favorable times and increasing costs associated with bringing in referees from out of town.
Chad Whitworth, the associate commissioner for officials at the Wyoming High School Activities Association (WHSAA), stated:
“We just don’t have enough officials to officiate all of the contests when schools want to have them.”
The lack of available referees has led to logistical challenges, with athletic directors across the state working to schedule events with a shrinking pool of officials.
To address the shortage, some high schools have had to move football games to days like Thursdays and Saturdays, instead of traditional Friday nights. Schools are also facing difficulties in securing neutral officials for basketball and wrestling matches. This shortage has added financial strain, as athletic directors like Ronald Wagner from Laramie High School increasingly find themselves needing to bring in referees from distant communities.
The costs can add up quickly. Wagner noted that when he needs to hire officials from Buffalo, it can cost up to $500 for a varsity basketball game, compared to about $100 when hiring locally. Mileage reimbursement, which can reach 72 cents per mile, is a significant factor in these rising costs.
To combat the shortage, the University of Wyoming offers officiating classes, and the WHSAA collaborates with the RefReps online course. UW also recruits students with wrestling experience to become certified wrestling officials, helping to address the shortage in that area. While these initiatives provide a long-term solution, they are unlikely to immediately solve the crisis at the varsity level. Whitworth hopes that younger officials, starting at the junior high level, will gradually progress into high school and varsity officiating roles.
In addition to recruitment and scheduling issues, unsportsmanlike behavior from fans, coaches, and players has further complicated the challenge. Last year, former WHSAA Commissioner Ron Laird pointed out that the harassment of referees, particularly in basketball and wrestling, has driven some officials away from the sport.
Wagner highlighted that young, inexperienced referees are often assigned to difficult games, such as seventh-grade basketball matches, where chaos can often ensue. In these instances, Wagner said: “You’ve got to give them the grace to learn,” but the pressure from frustrated parents can make the job unbearable for many young officials. He recalled instances where officials were subjected to personal attacks from fans, prompting him to intervene.
David Thrash, athletic director at Pinedale High School, also acknowledged the role of fan behavior, reminding parents of the proper boundaries.
“The coach’s job is to coach. The ref’s job is to ref. The kids’ job is to compete,” Thrash said.
He emphasized the importance of keeping emotions in check during games.
