Officials

Cadillac’s Bill Allen, shown here following a varsity girls basketball game in February in Evart, is in his 50th year as an MHSAA registered official.

Hoping to be 'Hardly Noticed,' 50-Year Official Allen Certainly Recognizable, Respected

Posted: 12/18/2025

Brothers, from left, Steve, Dave and Tom Johnson – here at Gaylord High School – will referee the varsity boys basketball game Tuesday between Gaylord and Traverse City Central.

Johnson Family Reunion: Tuesday will Bring Together Officiating Brothers, Coaching Cousins

Posted: 12/12/2025

Marquette's Skyler Blackburn and Negaunee goalie Kurt O'Brien scramble for the puck during a Nov. 8 matchup.

Be the Referee: Puck on Goal Netting

Posted: 12/9/2025

A basketball bounces just above the rim.

Be the Referee: Goaltending vs. Basket Interference

Posted: 12/2/2025

Football officials discuss a play during review.

Be the Referee: Football Finals Instant Replay

Posted: 11/25/2025

Marian players huddle during a break in the 2017 Division 1 championship match.

Be the Referee: Volleyball Libero Uniforms

Posted: 11/18/2025

A football official picks a penalty flag up off the turf.

Be the Referee: Illegal Substitution/Participation

Posted: 11/11/2025

This photo is focused on two runners' legs and feet during a cross country race.

Be the Referee: Losing a Shoe

Posted: 11/4/2025

A soccer ball rests near the goal line amid multiple pairs of feet seeking to connect.

Be the Referee: Unusual Soccer Goals

Posted: 10/28/2025

A field hockey player connects on a stroke.

Be the Referee: Field Hockey Penalty Stroke

Posted: 10/21/2025

A tennis racket is swung toward a tennis ball.

Be the Referee: Tennis Double Hit

Posted: 10/14/2025

West Bloomfield players celebrate a safety during the 2017 Division 1 Football Final.

Be the Referee: Safety in Football

Posted: 10/7/2025

East Grand Rapids readies to defend its goal during a match against Rockford.

Be the Referee: Field Hockey Substitution

Posted: 9/30/2025

This is a photo of a volleyball player's hands holding a ball before a serve.

Be the Referee: Multiple Contacts in Volleyball

Posted: 9/23/2025

A keeper awaits a soccer penalty kick attempt.

Be the Referee: Soccer Penalty Kick

Posted: 9/16/2025

A loose ball bounces during the Week 1 game between Goodrich and Frankenmuth

Be the Referee: Forward Fumble

Posted: 9/9/2025

An Ann Arbor Greenhills field hockey player connects with the ball.

Be the Referee: Field Hockey Basics

Posted: 9/3/2025

This is a photo of a putting green and an MHSAA championship banner.

Be the Referee: Golf Ball Bounces Out

Posted: 8/26/2025

The umpires from the 2025 Division 3 Final take a photo at home plate.

Be the Referee: Officials Registration

Posted: 6/17/2025

News 2023

2025-26 MHSAA Officials Registration Underway

Posted: 6/16/2025

A pitcher prepares to wind up during an MHSAA Tournament game.

Be the Referee: Baseball Pitch Count

Posted: 6/10/2025

A Richland Gull Lake soccer player receives the ball from an official before a shootout kick.

Be the Referee: Soccer Overtime

Posted: 6/3/2025

Ishpeming Westwood, Negaunee and Ishpeming High runners round the first curve during the boys 1,600 at the WIN Meet on May 6 in Ishpeming.

Be the Referee: Track & Field False Starts & Restarts

Posted: 5/27/2025

A tennis finalist hits a forehand during an indoor match in 2015.

Be the Referee: Fixed Obstruction in Tennis

Posted: 5/21/2025

This is a golf pull cart on a cart path during the 2024 MHSAA Lower Peninsula Boys Golf Finals.

Be the Referee: Golf Cart Path Roll

Posted: 5/13/2025

This bat is legal and stamped to show it, including with a sticker of approval at the MHSAA Finals.

Be the Referee: Illegal Softball Bats

Posted: 5/7/2025

This is an MHSAA marker on a tee box during a Finals tournament.

Be the Referee: Golf Relief

Posted: 4/30/2025

At left, Jenna Schroeder officiates an NBA game. At right, Schroeder drives into the lane against Flint Powers Catholic.

Flashback 100: Legacy Program Provided Start for Pioneering NBA Official Schroeder

Posted: 4/23/2025

This is a collection of officials patches from the last 80 years.

Century of School Sports: Patches Signify Registered Officials' Role in MHSAA Story

Posted: 4/22/2025

A soccer official stands next to a Pontiac Notre Dame Prep player before a free kick.

Be the Referee: Soccer Scoring Area Penalty

Posted: 4/22/2025

An official calls a runner out during the 2018 Division 3 Baseball Final.

Be the Referee: Fair or Foul?

Posted: 4/15/2025

Debby Karabees-Betts, standing above the net, officiates as MHSAA Final.

Livonia's Karabees-Betts Named 35th Vern L. Norris Award Honoree

Posted: 4/15/2025

A lacrosse player seeks an opening to shoot while being defended by two players.

Be the Referee: Girls Lacrosse New Stoppage Rule

Posted: 4/8/2025

A softball baserunner passes in front of an infielder as a ground ball approaches.

Be the Referee: Base Runner Interference

Posted: 4/1/2025

A baseball player at bat.

Be the Referee: Pine Tar Usage

Posted: 3/26/2025

A basketball floats toward a basket as the lights around the backboard are lit signaling the buzzer.

Be the Referee: Basketball Replay

Posted: 3/11/2025

A gymnast competes on uneven parallel bars.

Be the Referee: Gymnastics Deduction

Posted: 3/4/2025

Longtime MHSAA official Mike VanderVelde, left, and son Michael share a moment during Michael’s officiating assignment at the 2021 Outback Bowl in Tampa Bay, Fla.

VanderVelde Officiating Tree Branches Into 2nd Generation, Top-Tier College Football

Posted: 2/28/2025

The Croswell-Lexington cheer team performs a stunt that includes an inversion during the 2024 MHSAA Finals.

Be the Referee: Competitive Cheer Inversion

Posted: 2/19/2025

An ice hockey player sends the puck ahead while an official signals a delayed call.

Be the Referee: Ice Hockey Delay of Game

Posted: 2/11/2025

These are photos of retired NFL official Dean Look, including during a Broncos/Raiders game, and signaling a touchdown during the 1981 NFC Championship Game.

Flashback 100: Multi-Sport Star Look Becomes Super Bowl Officiating Legend

Posted: 2/6/2025

A high school skier, wearing a helmet with a chin guard, proceeds downhill during a race.

Be the Referee: Ski Helmets

Posted: 2/4/2025

Wrestlers compete on the mat near the boundary line during a December match.

Be the Referee: Wrestling In Bounds or Out?

Posted: 1/28/2025

A basketball shot falls toward the backboard and hoop, which are lit because of the buzzer.

Be the Referee: Block or Charge?

Posted: 1/21/2025

Sam Davis, far left, officiates a match at the MHSAA Finals.

MHSAA's Davis Selected to Michigan Chapter of National Wrestling Hall of Fame

Posted: 1/15/2025

From left: Rob Fay, Tony Costello and Alex Schrauben take a quick selfie during their meet-up to officiate a Dec. 10 boys basketball game at Alma.

Finals Partners Now Long-Distance Friends Reunite to Officiate Together Again

Posted: 1/15/2025

MHSAA official Doug Sanders monitors the action during a 2022 Division 4 Semifinal between Wyoming Tri-unity Christian and Genesee Christian.

Thankful for Lifesavers Who Rushed to His Aid, Sanders Aims to Officiate Again

Posted: 1/14/2025

An official requests the basketball on the baseline during a pause in play.

Be the Referee: Out of Bounds, In Play

Posted: 1/14/2025