'Crew of the Month' Recognized for Excellence On Field, Impacts as Mentors & Recruiters
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
November 11, 2026
Valued for their work on the field and off, the Eastern Michigan Officials Association football crew led by referee Joel Venia has been named the Michigan “High School Officiating Crew of the Month” for October by the Detroit Lions.
Venia, from Marysville, is joined by umpire John Schwelhofer (Marysville), head linesman Mike Roosen (Macomb), line judge Tom Mailoux (Capac), back judge Ken Marzka (Lakeport), side judge Paul Guttowsky (Allentown) and field judge David Wood (Jeddo). The crew was one of the first in the EMOA to expand to seven officials and is often requested by schools for their biggest games.
They are noted for the wisdom and leadership they individually supply during local association meetings, with multiple serving as board members. They also are recognized for their mentorship of developing officials – and this crew has recruited a total of 12 new football officials over the last few years.
The Lions, in partnership with the MHSAA and National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), are recognizing an officiating crew monthly this season.
Be the Referee: Soccer Penalty Kick
By
Paige Winne
MHSAA Director of Brand Management
September 16, 2025
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 – Soccer Penalty Kick - Listen
We have a soccer “You Make the Call” for you today.
A player is lined up to take a penalty kick. His shot gets past the keeper and hits the post, rebounding back to him. Since the keeper dove to stop the shot, he has a wide-open net, and calmly sends his second attempt straight to the back of the net.
Good goal?
It is not. After a penalty kick is taken, the kicker can only play the ball again after the goalie or another player touches it. A ball kicked off the post and directly back to the original kicker cannot be played.
In this instance, the goal is not awarded, and the defending team is given an indirect free kick at the spot of the infraction.
If the original P-K had glanced off the keeper first, then hit the post and back to the original kicker who scored, then it would have counted.
Previous 2025-26 editions
Sept. 9: Forward Fumble - Listen
Sept. 2: Field Hockey Basics - Listen
Aug. 26: Golf Ball Bounces Out - Listen