What's My Why: Official Stacy Smith
August 3, 2026
Stacy Smith, Caledonia
Smith is registered to officiate her 34th season of competitive cheer this upcoming winter, as she began as a competitive cheer judge with the sport's first season in 1993-94.
The reason I officiate competitive cheer is to give back to a sport that I love so much, that’s given me so much. It’s a point of pride and passion, and it keeps me close to the spirit and the energy of those young, amazing athletes.
“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
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
Be the Referee: Competitive Cheer Inversion
By
Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator
February 19, 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 – Competitive Cheer Inversion - Listen
A competitive cheer scenario for you today:
An inversion is a stunt where the top person, or flyer, is in an upside-down position at any point while being supported by bases or spotters.
When is it allowed to have a temporary loss of contact with the inverted flyer?
- When transitioning to a double-based sponge with both feet of the flyer in the hands of the bases?
- When transitioning to a cradle?
- When transiting to a stunt at shoulder level or below where both feet of the flyer are in the hands of the bases?
- Or – all of the these are allowed?
If you said all of those are allowed – you got it right!
Previous 2024-25 Editions
Feb. 18: Ice Hockey Delay of Game - Listen
Feb. 11: Ski Helmets - Listen
Feb. 4: Wrestling In Bounds or Out? - Listen
Jan. 21: Block or Charge? - Listen
Jan. 14: Out of Bounds, In Play - Listen
Jan. 7: Wrestling Scoring - Listen
Dec. 17: Bowling Ball Rules - Listen
Dec. 10: Neck Laceration Protector - Listen
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