Nearly 1,000 Officials Converge in Grand Rapids for Officiate Michigan Day
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
August 5, 2026
GRAND RAPIDS – Nearly 1,000 MHSAA-registered officials – and some of the biggest names in officiating nationwide – attended Officiate Michigan Day on July 25 at DeVos Place.
Attendees enjoyed opportunities to hear football rules analyst and longtime official Mike Pereira and World Cup and Olympic soccer official Kari Seitz during the opening and closing addresses, respectively. They also took part in training sessions throughout the day including four that were sport-specific, with clinicians including several of the state’s highest-regarded officials at the high school level and some of the best-known at the collegiate and professional levels nationwide who grew up or reside in our state.
Above are highlights from the event and insights from several accomplished officials. Click for photos from throughout the day, from Adam Sheehan.
PHOTO Football rules analyst Mike Pereira speaks during the opening address at Officiate Michigan Day. (Photo by Adam Sheehan.)
Be the Referee: Illegal Substitution/Participation
By
Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator
November 11, 2025
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 – Illegal Substitution/Participation - Listen
We’re on the football field this week with 23 players.
Twenty-three is one too many; there should only be 22 on the field at once – 11 on offense, 11 on defense.
But on this play, the offense had a 12th player lined up on the field.
What’s the call?
It depends on when the penalty is spotted.
If the officials catch it before the play is run, that’s an illegal substitution and a 5-yard penalty.
But if the ball is snapped and a play is run with 12 on the field – and the 12th player is not attempting to get off the field – then it’s illegal participation and a 15-yard penalty. It’s also a 15-yard penalty if the offense uses a substitution to create a deception.
Previous 2025-26 editions
Nov. 4: Losing a Shoe - Listen
Oct. 28: Unusual Soccer Goals - Listen
Oct. 21: Field Hockey Penalty Stroke - Listen
Oct. 14: Tennis Double Hit - Listen
Oct. 7: Safety in Football - Listen
Sept. 30: Field Hockey Substitution - Listen
Sept 23: Multiple Contacts in Volleyball - Listen
Sept. 16: Soccer Penalty Kick - Listen
Sept. 9: Forward Fumble - Listen
Sept. 2: Field Hockey Basics - Listen
Aug. 26: Golf Ball Bounces Out - Listen