Be the Referee: Communication
February 7, 2019
This week, MHSAA officials coordinator Sam Davis discusses the mission of the Basketball Officials & Coaches Communication Committee.
Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.
Below is this week's segment – Coach/Official Communication - Listen
One sport that works hard to build bridges between coaches and officials is basketball. For over 15 years, the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan has worked with the MHSAA, the Michigan Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association and local high school officials associations across the state in a joint effort called the Basketball Officials and Coaches Communication Committee.
In short, this committee stresses sportsmanship, professionalism and communication on other basketball topics in an effort to promote better understanding of each other’s roles and the game itself. The end goal is for all parties to create the best possible environment for our kids in which to play basketball.
Past editions
January 31: Backcourt Violation? - Listen
January 24: Required Hockey Equipment - Listen
January 17: You Make the Call: 10-Second Clock - Listen
January 10: Tripping in Hockey - Listen
January 3: Sliding in Basketball - Listen
December 27: Stalling in Wrestling - Listen
December 20: Basketball: You Make the Call - Listen
December 13: Basketball Uniform Safety - Listen
December 6: Coaching Box Expansion - Listen
November 29: Video Review, Part 2 - Listen
November 22: Video Review, Part 1 - Listen
November 15: You Make the Call - Sleeper Play - Listen
November 8: 7-Person Football Crews - Listen
November 1: Overtime Differences - Listen
October 25: Trickery & Communication - Listen
October 18: Punts & Missed Field Goals - Listen
October 11: What Officials Don't Do - Listen
October 4: Always 1st-and-Goal - Listen
September 27: Unique Kickoff Option - Listen
September 20: Uncatchable Pass - Listen
September 13: Soccer Rules Change - Listen
September 6: You Make the Call: Face Guarding - Listen
August 30: 40-Second Play Clock - Listen
August 23: Football Rules Changes - Listen
What's My Why: Official Cindy Tyzo
June 8, 2026
Cindy Tyzo, West Bloomfield
Tyzo is one of what surely are only a handful of officials who have been registered for two MHSAA-sponsored sports since their first seasons as part of the championship lineup. She's is completing her 33rd year overall after first registering for the inaugural season of competitive cheer in 1993-94, and she also officiated the first season of MHSAA field hockey this past fall.
Tyzo also just completed her eighth season officiating girls lacrosse.
I love officiating because I love working with the young people and providing the opportunity for them to do the sport that they love. Because without officials, there's not game.
“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].
Don't miss Officiate Michigan Day 2026, July 25 in Grand Rapids! Check out MHSAA.com/OMD to register and learn more.
What's My Why
June 3: Jeff Spedoske, DeWitt - Watch
June 1: Mike Carrier, Commerce Township - Watch
May 27: Stan Wright, Warren - Watch
May 26: Murray Rose, Zeeland - Watch
May 22: Mike VanLaan, Alto - Watch
May 18: Clint Abbott, Newaygo - Watch