Officiate Michigan Day
OMD 2026 Details
- DATE: July 25, 2026
- TIME: 9:00 AM (doors open 7:30 AM)
- LOCATION: DeVos Place, Grand Rapids
This year’s event features an exceptional lineup of dynamic speakers and presenters from the collegiate ranks and the highest levels of sport, including the NFL, MLB, NBA, PAVO, and more. Their insight, stories, and expertise will challenge, inspire, and elevate your perspective on officiating. Be sure to follow MHSAA on X, Facebook and Instagram as we announce featured speakers and share event updates leading up to Officiate Michigan 2026.
OMD Speakers
Be sure to check out the speaker lineup and biographies for this year's Officiate Michigan Day event!
Schedule
| TIME | SESSION |
|---|---|
| 7:30 AM – 9 AM | Check-in |
| 9 AM – 9:45 AM | Opening Session - Mike Pereira |
| 10 AM – 10:50 AM | Sport-Specific Breakout Session 1 |
| 11 AM – 11:50 AM | Sport-Specific Breakout Session 2 |
| 12:10 PM – 1:10 PM | Lunch Session |
| 1:30 PM – 2:20 PM | Sport-Specific Breakout Session 3 |
| 2:30 PM – 3:20 PM | Sport-Specific Breakout Session 4 |
| 3:30 PM – 4:15 PM | Closing Session - Kari Seitz |
*This is an outline of the event schedule. Scroll down for the detailed schedule.
OMD Vendors
Visit our on-site vendors throughout the day to explore products, services, and resources designed to support officials at every level. Be sure to stop by, connect with our partners, and see what they have to offer. Stay tuned for the release of our final vendor lineup as additional exhibitors are confirmed.
Registration
Registration Cost
- $45 if registered before July 1
- $50 if registered after July 1
Registration includes all event materials as well as lunch.
Conference App Coming Soon
A conference app will be available to help you navigate the event, access the schedule, find room locations, connect with fellow attendees, receive updates, and more.
Download information will be shared in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!
OMD 2026 Resources
What’s My Why
“What’s My Why” is a weekly feature telling the stories of MHSAA-registered officials in their own words. If you’re an MHSAA official and would like to share your reason why, please submit a 15 to 45-second video, taken horizontally, to Director of Officials Sam Davis at [email protected].
NASO Summit
The 2026 NASO Summit will be held in Grand Rapids, Michigan on July 26-28, 2026.
Detailed Event Schedule
7:30 AM – 9 AM: Check-In
Upon arrival, please check in at the registration tables in the corridor outside the Grand Gallery meeting rooms, accessible via the Monroe Avenue entrance.
9 AM – 9:45 AM: Opening Session
We are excited to welcome Fox Sports Rules Analyst, UFL Vice President of Officiating and former NFL Vice President of Officiating Mike Peraria as the keynote speaker for our opening session.
10 AM – 10:50 AM: Sport-Specific Breakout Session 1
| SPORT | TOPIC | PRESENTER |
|---|---|---|
| Baseball | Becoming a Better Plate Umpire in 2027 | Dave Uyl |
| Basketball | Trail, Center, Lead Positioning and Court Coverage | Donnie Eppley and Andy O'Brien |
| Competitive Cheer | Recruiting, Mentoring, and Retaining Officials | Stacy Smith and Paula McAllister |
| Field Hockey | TBA | |
| Football | When Communication Matters - Handling Tough Situations and Tricky Plays | Ron Torbert, Shawn Smith, Alex Kemp, and Dino Paganelli |
| Gymnastics | TBA | |
| Lacrosse - Boys | Selling Your Calls Using Professional Dramatic Affect | Luke Griesman |
| Soccer | Peer to Peer Mentoring | Kari Seitz, Yuya Kiuchi, Sandra Serafini, and Josh Abts |
| Softball | Game Management Under the New 10-Mile Weather Rule | Sally Walker |
| Track & Field | Procedures: We Don't Just Go Around the Oval Pt1 | Mike VanDyke and Rudy Godefroidt |
| Volleyball | What's New? (A look at the most current NFHS rules via applications) | Joan Powell and Rachael Rodriguez |
| Wrestling | Wrestling 101 | Dan Hutcheson |
11 AM – 11:50 AM: Sport-Specific Breakout Session 2
| SPORT | TOPIC | PRESENTER |
|---|---|---|
| Baseball | The Ideal Umpire | Rich Fetchiet |
| Basketball | Mental Approach to the Game: From Locker Room to the Final Horn | Gary Zielinski |
| Competitive Cheer | Hot Topics: Scoring Breakdown | Diana Dildine and Amy Braun |
| Football | Position Breakout #1: Referees – Crew Chief 101 | Ron Torbert, Shawn Smith, Alex Kemp, and Jeff Servinski |
| Football | Position Breakout #1: LOS – Foul Recognition/Quality Fouls (Offensive Holds) | Jason Nickleby and Dalton Barksdale |
| Football | Position Breakout #1: Umpires – Foul Recognition/Quality Fouls (Offensive Holds) | Will McKoy and Mark Bennett |
| Football | Position Breakout #1: Deeps – Foul Recognition/Quality Fouls (Defensive Pass Interference) | Dino Paginelli and Phil Hicks |
| Ice Hockey | Safety-critical rule enforcement | Randy Sheahan |
| Lacrosse - Boys | TBA | Karl Brunsman |
| Lacrosse - Girls | The Third Official Advantage: Positioning, Coverage and the Draw | Liz Brush |
| Soccer | Self-Reflections | Kari Seitz, Yuya Kiuchi, Sandra Serafini and Josh Abts |
| Softball | Conflict De-escalation and Navigating the Physical Contact Mandate | Sally Walker |
| Swimming & Diving | TBA | |
| Volleyball | What's Not New? (A look at previous rule changes/interpretations that continue to need attention) | Joan Powell and Rachael Rodriguez |
| Wrestling | Birth of a Wrestling Rule: NFHS Rules change process | Tony Clarke |
12:10 PM – 1:10 PM: Lunch Sessions
| TOPIC | PRESENTER |
|---|---|
| Ask the MHSAA Staff | Brad Bush, Andy Frushour, Cody Inglis, Will McKoy, and Andi Osters |
| Assigner & Association Meeting (required) | Sam Davis |
| Communication & Game Management | Dr. Jayson Dibble |
| From the Athletic Director's Chair | Connor Thomas, Mason HS, Jonathan Goei, Forest Hills Central HS, Nikki Norris, East Lansing HS, and Chris Zylstra, East Grand Rapids |
| Leadership Lessons | Lisa Jones, Suzanne Lowry, and Paul Johnson |
| Legal Lessons for Officials | Jim Dworman |
| Mental Performance – How to Officiate with Confidence and Prevent Burnout | Dr. Sandra Serafini |
| Mentoring, Recruiting, and Retaining Officials | Ed Mcarty and Charlie Morrison |
| Moving Up the Ladder – What’s the Path? | Rich Fetchiet, Jason Nickelby, and Mike Brya |
| NFHS Rules Process & Officials Program | Dana Papas |
| Officiating Management and AI | Patrick Kane and Megan Cusick |
| Professional Ethics & Expectations of Officials | Mark Geiger and Mike Conlin |
| The First Three Years – New (and Newer) Officials | Christian Smith |
| The Game is Over: Now What? | Nichole Kramer |
| View from the Top | Shawn Smith and Gary Zielinski |
1:30 PM – 2:20 PM: Sport-Specific Breakout Session 3
| SPORT | TOPIC | PRESENTER |
|---|---|---|
| Baseball | Handling People & Situations | Rich Fetchiet and Dave Uyl |
| Basketball | Play Calling Principles | Donnie Eppley and Andy O'Brien |
| Competitive Cheer | Consistency During a Long Day – Preparedness & Professionalism | Juli Brown and Jill Lansky |
| Field Hockey | TBA | |
| Football | Position Breakout #2: Referees – Game Management & Penalty Enforcement | Ron Torbert, Shawn Smith, Alex Kemp, and Jeff Servinski |
| Football | Position Breakout #2: Umpires – Penalty Enforcement (How to Help the Crew) | Jason Nickleby and Dalton Barksdale |
| Football | Position Breakout #2: LOS – Forward Progress Spots | Will McKoy and Mark Bennett |
| Football | Position Breakout #2: Deeps – Goal Line Coverage (Tricks of the Trade) | Dino Paginelli and Phil Hicks |
| Gymnastics | Gymnastic Rules, Q & A | Doris Goodlock |
| Lacrosse - Boys | Climbing the Ladder: Tangible Steps to Improve at any Level | Cade Butch |
| Soccer | Referee Development | Kari Seitz, Yuya Kiuchi, Sandra Serafini and Josh Abts |
| Softball | Professionalism: Translating Collegiate Insight to High School Softball | Sally Walker |
| Track & Field | Procedures: We don't just go around in circles, Pt2 | Mike VanDyke and Rudy Godefroidt |
| Volleyball | Game Management (You can be a 100% test-taker, but can you manage the match?) | Joan Powell and Rachael Rodriguez |
| Wrestling | Wrestling 101 | Dan Hutcheson |
2:30 PM – 3:20 PM: Sport-Specific Breakout Session 4
| SPORT | TOPIC | PRESENTER |
|---|---|---|
| Baseball | Video Review: 8 Plays for Umpiring Improvement | Rich Fetchiet and Dave Uyl |
| Basketball | Video Review: Breaking Down Plays with the Pros | Joey Crawford and Gary Zielinski |
| Competitive Cheer | Hot Topics | Cindy Tyzo and Candy Cox |
| Football | Video Breakdown: Each clinician shares one play that was a “learn from” moment | Ron Torbert, Shawn Smith, Alex Kemp, Dino Paganelli, Jeff Servinski, Will McKoy, Jason Nickleby, Phil Hicks, Mark Bennett, and Dalton Barksdale |
| Ice Hockey | Game Management & De-escalating "The Temperature" | Randy Sheahan |
| Lacrosse - Boys |
TBA |
Karl Brunsman |
| Lacrosse - Girls | You Make the Call: Seeing the Game, Applying the Rules | Liz Brush |
| Soccer | Panel Discussion – Being the Best | Kari Seitz, Yuya Kiuchi, Sandra Serafini and Josh Abts |
| Softball | Mentorship and Retaining the Next Generation of Officials | Sally Walker |
| Swimming & Diving | TBA | |
| Volleyball | Words Matter (A module on effective communication/response skills) | Joan Powell and Rachael Rodriguez |
| Wrestling | You Make the Call | Tony Clarke |
3:30 PM – 4:15 PM: Closing Session
We are excited to welcome U.S. Soccer Vice President of Refereeing Kari Seitz as the featured speaker for our closing session.