Sports Officials Care, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization committed to uniting sports officials from all sports, educating teens and giving back, hosted a Game On event at Westfield High School in Indianapolis.
Our Game On events are designed to introduce sports officiating to teens as a possibility for employment and continued involvement in sports. Officials from NBA, NFL, MLB, MLS and NHL have participated in these programs.
There is a huge crisis with a shortage of sports officials in youth sports, and our goal is to encourage teens to learn more about officiating and some of the great life lessons, such as perseverance, goal-setting and teamwork can be taught through this avenue of sports.
According to Dana Pappas, director of officiating services for the National Federation of State High School Sports (based in Indianapolis), between 2018 to 2021, an estimated 50,000 high school referees — roughly 20 percent — quit. Without officials, there will be no sports.
EVENT ATTENDEES:
Officials:
Baseball – Scott Taylor (former D2 National Coordinator) and Danny Jimenez (NCAA Super Regional umpire)
Basketball – Ryan Kent, Jr. and Matt Knezevich (collegiate volleyball and basketball officials)
Football – Greg Bradley (current NFL) Mark Baltz (Retired NFL) Steven Woods (Current NFL) JP Williams (current Division I football official), Kris Loving (NCAA Division I Football official)
Soccer – Sean West (NCAA Basketball and Soccer Official) Jeff Swartzel (Current MLS Official)
Volunteers:
Dana Pappas
Brian Lewis