What's My Why: Official Jason Nickleby
July 22, 2026
Jason Nickleby, Lake Elmo, Minnesota
Jason Nickleby serves as an Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) assistant director and Big Ten football referee and officiated the College Football Playoff in 2024. He also is a past high school and small-college basketball, baseball, volleyball, and softball official.
My why as an official goes back to when my dad was a coach. He coached high school football, basketball, baseball, softball, track, many things over 35 years as a teacher and coach. And I was always fascinated with the officials. They were the best people. They had the most integrity. They were so professional, and I wanted to be part of that.
And as I grew up in my dads coaching career, I used to stand in the corner of the gym and mimic the calls of the officials, typically beating them to the punch. And I wanted to continue that and stayed a part of the officiating industry.
And now I'm so fortunate to be in the positions that I am. Being a part of officiating everyday.
But my why goes back to high school athletics, high school activities, the most important level out there. Your service as a high school official so critical. And my why is watching what all of you do each and every day as high school officials and giving back to the games that have given so much to us, as athletes, as community members.
“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].
Don't miss Officiate Michigan Day 2026, July 25 in Grand Rapids! Check out MHSAA.com/OMD to register and learn more.
What's My Why
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
Be the Referee: Illegal Football Kick
October 22, 2020
This week, MHSAA officials coordinator Sam Davis presents a "You Make the Call" on the legality of a kicking scenario.
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 - You Make the Call: Illegal Kick - Listen
Here’s a you-make-the-call situation today. It’s fourth down and a field goal is being attempted – but the holder muffs the snap. With the loose ball rolling around, the kicker swings his leg at it and boots it through the uprights. You make the call – is this legal?
There are only two ways a ball can be legally kicked for points on a play which starts with a snap from center. One is a place kick being held by another player – the other is the rarely seen drop kick.
Had the kicker picked up the ball, dropped it to the ground and kicked it on the bounce through the uprights, the result of the play would have been a field goal. In this instance, though, a 10-yard penalty is assessed from the line of scrimmage for illegal kicking, and the opposing team takes over from that spot.
Past editions
10/15: Toe the Line on Penalty Kicks - Listen
10/8: Disconcerting Acts - Listen
10/1: Ball Hits Soccer Referee - Listen
9/24: Clocking the Ball from the Shotgun - Listen