Officials

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

At left, Dowagiac superintendent Greg Blomgren addresses an audience during his first day in the position, July 1. At right, Blomgren officiates a girls basketball in December between host Cassopolis and White Pigeon.

Dowagiac Superintendent Continues Connection to Hoops as MHSAA Game Official

Posted: 1/8/2025

Wrestlers lock up from a standing position during a match, one holding the right arm of the other attempting to gain leverage.

Be the Referee: Wrestling Scoring

Posted: 1/7/2025

A bowler winds up to throw a ball during warmups for the 2022 Finals.

Be the Referee: Bowling Ball Rules

Posted: 12/17/2024

Marquette's Connor Stade (20) takes a shot, but Houghton's Cooper Flachs (30) is able to cover up the puck during their November matchup.

Be the Referee: Neck Laceration Protector

Posted: 12/10/2024

A basketball official signals two free throws during last season's Division 2 Final at Breslin Center.

Be the Referee: Basketball Goaltending

Posted: 12/3/2024

A football official gestures a thumbs up from the end zone during a 2023 championship game.

Be the Referee: 11-Player Finals Replay

Posted: 11/26/2024

A Powers North Central football player dives for the end zone marker as a Mendon defender attempts to stop him short.

Be the Referee: 8-Player vs. 11-Player Football

Posted: 11/19/2024

Centreville’s Mary Stears stands adjacent and above the net as she officiates a match this fall.

Southwest 10 Conference Welcoming Volleyball Athletes as Legacy Officials

Posted: 11/13/2024

A Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central player bumps a volleyball near the net during the 2015 Class C Final.

Be the Referee: Back Row Setter

Posted: 11/12/2024

An officiating crew confers before this season’s Fowler/Bath varsity football game.

Be the Referee: Football OT

Posted: 11/5/2024

A referee monitors the action from the chair during last season's Division 2 Volleyball Semifinals at Kellogg Arena.

Be the Referee: Officials Registration

Posted: 10/29/2024

An MHSAA volleyball official is seated and looking something up in an NFHS rulebook.

Be the Referee: Volleyball Serve

Posted: 10/22/2024

An official crossing the soccer field looks back toward the sideline during Monday's Berkley/Troy Athens District game.

Be the Referee: You Make the Call - Soccer Offside

Posted: 10/15/2024

A penalty flag is crumbled laying on the Ford Field turf.

Be the Referee: Roughing the Passer

Posted: 10/8/2024

A golf ball soars out of a sand trap as the club head is seen during follow through.

Be the Referee: Abnormal Course Condition

Posted: 10/1/2024

A Livonia Churchill tennis player returns a volley during a match this season.

Be the Referee: Tennis Nets

Posted: 9/24/2024

Livonia Franklin's libero (1) defends during her team's match against Livonia Churchill this season.

Be the Referee: Libero

Posted: 9/17/2024

Newberry's Samantha Taylor (321) and Abby Taylor (320) lead the beginning of the Wildcat Invite last month at Northern Michigan University, with Samantha eventually finishing first and Abby third.

Be the Referee: Cross Country Uniforms

Posted: 9/10/2024