Lack of Officials Sounds Warning Again

September 21, 2018

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Officials prefer to stay out of the spotlight, but the avocation is at the center of important discussion again as something seemingly inevitable has taken place in the southeastern Lower Peninsula – recently scheduled football games had to be moved because of a lack of officials.

The Hillsdale Daily News’ James Gensterblum tackled the topic in a recent column – and we couldn’t have said it better ourselves:

“This crisis has been a long time coming, and we have no one but ourselves to blame. Fan behavior has never been perfect at high school sporting events, but in the last decade it’s hit an all-time low, and I could find numerous examples across the country to back up this assertion.

… Over the years, I’ve seen opinion pieces to parents appealing to their humanity and civility in order to get them to treat referees better. I’ve seen shame, I’ve seen bargaining, all sorts of rhetorical tactics, all of which seem to have failed. So let me try something a little different. Let me appeal to your love of sports and your investment in their continued survival.”

Check out Gensterblum’s work in its entirety at the Hillsdale Daily News.

This Week in High School Sports: 9/11/24

By Jon Ross
MHSAA Director of Broadcast Properties

September 11, 2024

In this week's report, we highlight baseball stars from MHSAA member schools who have earned their first Major League Baseball pitching wins this season, award Game Balls to high achievers in golf, volleyball and football; and discuss the 2024 MHSAA Boys Soccer Tournament set to begin in a month

MI Student AidThe 5-minute program each week includes feature stories from MHSAA.com or network affiliates, along with "Be the Referee," a 60-second look at the fine art of officiating.

"This Week in High School Sports" is powered by MI Student Aid, a division within the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP).

Listen to this week's show by Clicking Here.

Previous 2024-25 Editions

Sept. 5: Highlighting MHSAA record setters, 50th Football Playoffs - Listen
Aug. 28:
MHSAA Summer Olympians, "Century of School Sports" celebration - Listen