Official Treatment
March 7, 2014
A book I quoted in this space three times last November – How: Why HOW We Do Anything Means Everything by Dov Seidman – has me thinking about sports officiating.
One premise of the book is that the Internet era has made the world so transparent and connected that there is no such thing anymore as “private” behavior or a “minor” mistake. Everything can become a public matter – instantly. Anything can become a major problem – overnight. Worldwide.
So, when our local real estate agent, who officiates junior varsity basketball, misses a call that an invested spectator captures with his or her smart phone camera, and sends to his or her relatives and a local media outlet that night, there is no limit to where that video could appear by the next morning.
And while major college and professional officials may now receive four-figure fees to work under those conditions, officials at the junior high/middle school and high school levels – sometimes working for little more than gas money - wonder if it’s worth the hassle.
There are many obstacles to recruiting and retaining officials for school sports, including poor business practices by assigners and bad sportsmanship by coaches and spectators; but a significant factor not to be overlooked is the adverse potential of immediate worldwide criticism for a call that had to be made in the blink of an eye.
The human factor of sports is now subject to inhuman expectations. In an enterprise that strives for fairness, it appears that it’s the official who is being treated least fairly.
2026-27 MHSAA Officials Registration Underway
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
June 15, 2026
The Michigan High School Athletic Association is accepting registrations online for game officials for the 2026-27 school year.
The MHSAA registered 9,330 officials for the 2025-26 school year, an increase of 4.9 percent from the previous year’s total.
All officials who register may sign up for up to two sports as part of their registration. Officials also will receive membership in the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO), which comes with a variety of educational and training resources and the NASO’s Shield liability insurance that will provide $6 million in coverage for officials while they are working both MHSAA and non-MHSAA events.
For new and returning officials, a $70 fee covers registration for up to two sports. Officials may register for additional sports at $16 per sport.
To avoid a $30 late fee, all fall sport registration applications must be received by Aug. 17, 2026. Winter sports registrations must be received by Nov. 16 to avoid the late fee, and spring sports registrations must be received by March 24, 2027.
Online registration can be accessed on the Officials page. More information about officials registration may be obtained by contacting the MHSAA by phone at (517) 332-5046 or by e-mail at [email protected].
New officials and those who didn’t officiate during 2025-26 must complete an officials' registration test, derived from the MHSAA Officials Guidebook, and the online MHSAA Principles of Officiating course. Additional exams must be taken by those registering for football or basketball for the first time or those who were not registered for those sports during the previous school year. Links to the Officials Guidebook, Principles of Officiating presentation and the football and basketball mechanics manuals can be found by following the “New Officials” link on the Officials page of the MHSAA Website and completing the registration process.
There also are opportunities to officiate for students at least 14 years old and in grades 9-12 through the MHSAA Legacy Program. Juniors and seniors may officiate subvarsity contests, while freshmen and sophomores may officiate contests at the middle school/junior high levels. Mentor officials will work events with Legacy participants to provide guidance and support. Find information on the Legacy Program by clicking “Officials Registration” on the Officials page of the MHSAA Website and reading under “Student Legacy Program Requirements.”
While on MHSAA.com to register for the upcoming school year, officials also can register for Officiate Michigan Day 2026, set for July 25 in Grand Rapids.
Doors open at 7:30 a.m., with the first session at 9 a.m. at DeVos Place. The day-long event will feature dynamic speakers and presenters providing knowledge in several sports and all levels including collegiate and professional.
Cost is $45 if officials register by the end of June, and $50 beginning July 1. More information is on the way; keep posted at MHSAA.com/OMD.