Be the Referee: Registration - Part 1

December 1, 2016

This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl begins explaining the process for becoming a registered high school official. 

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 – Registration - Part 1 - Listen

Today we are going to talk about how a person becomes an MHSAA registered official. Depending on the sport, that could mean a referee, umpire or judge.

The first step in the process is to contact the MHSAA and identify the sport or sports in which a person wants to become an official. The next step is to complete the MHSAA Officials Guidebook Exam.

The Officials Guidebook covers some of the basic elements and procedures that are necessary in becoming a sports official. Things such as game assignments, payment of game fees, playing rules and ejection protocols are covered in this first step of the process.

Past editions
Nov. 24: You Make the Call - Sleeper Play - Listen
Nov. 17: Automatic 1st Downs - Listen
Nov. 10: Uncatchable Pass - Listen
Nov. 3: The Goal Line - Listen
Oct. 27: Help Us Retain Officials - Listen
Oct. 20: Point After Touchdown - Listen
Oct. 13: Untimed Down - Listen
Oct. 6: Soccer Penalty Kick Change - Listen
Sept. 29: Preparation for Officials - Listen
Sept 22: You Make the Call: Returning Kickoffs - Listen
Sept. 15: Concussions - Listen
Sept 8: Equipment Covering the Knees - Listen
Sept. 1: Play Clock Experiment - Listen
Aug. 25: Clipping in the Free Blocking Zone - Listen

Be the Referee: Neck Laceration Protector

By Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator

December 10, 2024

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 – Neck Laceration Protector - Listen

In ice hockey, all players – including the goalie – must wear a neck laceration protector. This has been the rule in Michigan for a number of years but is now a national playing rule.

The ice hockey rule book states the protector must be worn in its original manufactured state, as intended, during competition.

Should a player enter a game without the neck laceration protector, or if it comes off during play, that player must go to the bench and can only return when the protector has been properly affixed. If the player refuses to wear the equipment, play will be stopped, and a two-minute penalty will be assessed to that player.

Goalies must wear the protector underneath and separate from the flapper-style throat protector at the bottom of their mask.

Previous 2024-25 Editions

Dec. 3: Basketball Goaltending - Listen
Nov. 26: 11-Player Finals Replay - Listen
Nov. 19: 8-Player vs. 11-Player Football - Listen
Nov. 12: Back Row Setter - Listen
Nov. 5: Football OT - Listen
Oct. 29: Officials Registration - Listen
Oct. 22: Volleyball Serve - Listen
Oct. 15: "You Make the Call"
- Soccer Offside - Listen
Oct. 8: Roughing the Passer - Listen
Oct. 1: Abnormal Course Condition - Listen
Sept. 25: Tennis Nets - Listen
Sept. 18:
 Libero - Listen
Sept. 10:
 Cross Country Uniforms - Listen
Sept. 3: Soccer Handling - Listen
Aug. 24: Football Holding - Listen

PHOTO 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. (Photo by Cara Kamps.)