Our future lies in the hands of our youth. Every generation is confronted with the realization that the latest generation is the adults and decision makers of the future.
For this reason, we must prepare our youth for these responsibilities through education.
The Michigan High School Athletic Administration is no different. With the start of the "Legacy" officials program in 1992, the MHSAA has begun training interested high school students to be game referees and officials.
Annually, approximately 30 individuals participate in the Legacy program. The student officials are high school seniors who officiate seventh and eighth grade games. The student officials work with a registered officials who serves as the students "Men tor". The mentor attends the Student's games and lends his or her's experience and guidance to the student official.
"The Legacy program gives the student the opportunity to practice and learn over an extended period of time with a person who has the background and experience to make a good official," said Bill Bupp, MHSAA Supervisor of Officials. "Plus, the one-to-on e relationship, ensures that the legacy official is being trained by a person who cares about his success."
After the student official finishes high school, he or she has the opportunity to become a registered official. This program has grown over its brief history and has been very successful. Over 60 percent of the student officials returned after finishing high school to continue officiating.
"There is a need for new officials," said mentor Bob Wolf of Grand Rapids. "I don't know of a better way to get kids interested. This is a great place to start and get some experience."
Former legacy official Zach Kemp of Greenville has remained an active official while attending Western Michigan University. Kemp was one of the first group of legacy officials and feels that the experience he gained was immeasurable.
"It was an all-around positive experience," Kemp noted. "You get in and get the experience you need to be good. Overall, the program was good for me."
The participants in the program are true students of the game -- but from a completely different perspective.
Like most high school students, Susan Lyon had the usual wide range of interests and activities. In addition to her officiating she was a starter on her girls basketball team. Under the tutelage of Wolf, Lyon has taken a fearless attitude to her new ch allenge.
"She was eager," said Wolf. "She approached me to officiate. She is a top ten student and has real drive. She has gained strength and stature over the three years we have worked together. She says she wants to do boys games also."
It is not all serious to Lyon, there is a fun side.
"I don't have any complaints yet," said Lyon. "It's a lot of fun. I like working with the younger kids. It has given me another view of the game."
Most students at a high school game are watching a lot of things, but one of those things is not likely to be the officials.
"I watch the officials," said Anthony Bass. "I watch the guys wearing stripes."
Bass has the luxury of turning to someone close for help from his mentor. Anthony's father Kent, a registered official since 1992, serves as Anthony's mentor. The two would travel to a full day of games on Saturdays and spend a lot of time discussing th e job ahead.
"He's explained everything to me that I've asked," Added Bass. "We talk about things that go on after the games. I wanted to do this. I've been bugging him for years to ref. I like it. I'm getting a friend interested into doing this."
Matthew Miller is another student of officiating. Despite playing baseball and running cross country all through high school, Miller has taken his officiating job just as serious.
"Mechanics are one of the most important things for an official," said Miller. "I think I have adjusted well. My mechanics have gotten better and I have good floor positioning. I look for little things because that can make a difference."
Miller wants to continue to stay involved in officiating and even broaden his horizons.
"I am trying to establish myself," Miller added. "Maybe someday I can make a career out of this."
David Hart was a standout athlete as well as being an official. He was the starting goalie for his schools’ boys soccer team and was been recruited by some Michigan colleges.
"I like being around soccer," said Hart. "I like officiating. I worked for about three and a half years before this."
As many young officials find out, especially when they have played sports, their job is not as easy as they thought.
"I do a mental critique of other officials to see the job they do," Hart added. "I respect the job they have to do a lot more. It is not as easy as people think."
For Danielle Bell, the Legacy program offered her an opportunity to remain involved in sports.
"I like sports but I wasn't quite good enough," Bell said. "My dad was working up in Charlevoix and he heard about the legacy program. I called and it went from there. Things have gone well. It doesn't take up as much time as playing does but it lets me stay involved."
She also played softball for two years at high school, but playing has since given way to umpiring. She understands the tough job of officiating and relishes the opportunity.
"Even when I played I didn't like it when players yelled at refs," added Bell. "At first I was a little leery of this but with the help of my mentor Joe Helgemo, it has worked out well."
For more information about becoming a Legacy official, contact the Michigan High School Athletic Association in East Lansing.