Be the Referee: Pregame Communication
November 27, 2015
This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl discusses how officials prepare for an upcoming football game.
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 - Pregame Communication - Listen
Just like teams and coaches prepare all week for a football game, officials also spend hours every week preparing for their upcoming assignment that Friday night or on Saturday.
Many of our officials around the state are accessing a system called Hudl, which is a video sharing system in which schools are sharing game film with officials to review last week’s performance, as well as look ahead at the style of play that the upcoming opponents will be using.
Also, officials spend a great deal of time pregaming as a crew; talking about rules, mechanics, coverages, and how to best communicate with each sideline during the game.
Past editions:
Nov. 19: Trick Plays - Listen
Nov. 12: 7-Person Football Mechanics - Listen
Nov. 5: Make the Call: Personal Fouls - Listen
Oct. 29: Officials Demographics - Listen
Oct. 15: Make the Call: Intentional Grounding - Listen
Oct. 8: Playoff Selection - Listen
Oct. 1: Kick Returns - Listen
Sept. 24: Concussions - Listen
Sept. 17: Automatic First Downs - Listen
Sept. 10: Correcting a Down - Listen
Sept 3: Spearing - Listen
Aug. 27: Missed Field Goal - Listen
What's My Why: Official Dino Paganelli
August 5, 2026
Dino Paganelli, Wyoming
Michigan has produced several notable Super Bowl officials, including brothers Dino, Carl and Perry Paganelli from Wyoming Rogers High School. Remarkably, at least one Paganelli has officiated in eight of the 60 Super Bowls.
Dino has been part of three Super Bowls – XLVII, LV, and LVII – and previously was an MHSAA-registered football official from 1986-87 through 2003-04. He also officiated basketball during 14 of those 17 school years.
I think back to my positive experiences in football from high school, college and pros, and some of my fondest memories were working Friday night football.
It fostered that sense of giving back to the community, interaction with coaches and players, and – most importantly – my fellow crew mates.
Officiating has been a big part of our family, although it doesn’t define us, but it is a major beacon or guidance in regards to how we not only conduct ourselves professionally but also as officials. Those are lessons that were valuable, learned through the Michigan High School Athletic Association.
“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].
What's My Why
Aug. 3: Stacy Smith, Caledonia - Watch
July 22: Jason Nickleby, Lake Elmo, Minn. - Watch
July 15: Sam Davis, Lansing - Watch
July 9: Candace Cox, Quincy - Watch
July 1: Robert Williams, Redford - Watch
June 24: Will Godfrey, Jackson - Watch
June 19: Jarrett Skorup, Midland - Watch
June 12: Brady Driver, Sturgis - Watch
June 8: Cindy Tyzo, West Bloomfield - Watch
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