From the Director


Officials

 

04

And in this so-called “modern world,” . . . it has never taken more courage to be a sports official than it does today.

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13

While they do their jobs best when they are least noticed, game and meet officials are one of the MHSAA’s core constituents. 

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29

The largest hurdle we face in recruiting and retaining officials is the poor treatment they too often receive from the observers to the contests.

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09

As he left the office for his assignment to umpire at the NCAA Regional Baseball Tournament in North Carolina, MHSAA Assistant Director Mark Uyl quipped, “Just hoping I don’t appear on ESPN.” 

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30

It’s often said that the best sports officials don’t draw attention to themselves; that a well-officiated contest is one where you don’t notice the officials.  But once a year we make them the center of attention anyway.

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14

One of the certainties of these uncertain economic times is that more people register to officiate school sports in bad times than in good.

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About the Author

Jack Roberts

Jack Roberts has been at the helm of the MHSAA as its Executive Director since 1986, implementing programs and overseeing tournament administration and regulations for the Association which boasts 1,600 member schools, 13,000 registered officials and 13,000 head coaches.

During the last 38 years, Roberts has spoken to educator and athletic groups, business leaders and civic groups in more than 40 states and five Canadian provinces as one of the nation's most articulate advocates for school sports.

Roberts has served on several national association boards and is board president for the Refugee Development Center, and chair elect for the board of directors of the Michigan Society of Association Executives.

He is a 1970 graduate of Dartmouth College, where he was a three-year starter for the Ivy League's winningest football team during that span.

His wife, Peggy is coordinator of the Power of We Consortium. They are passionate world travelers and have two grown sons: John, who is pursuing a doctoral degree in education policy at Harvard; and Luke, who - with his wife, Alison - are teaching in China.