Sports Officials Care
There is a shortage of officials in baseball. soccer. football. hockey. basketball.
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Shortage of Officials Impacting Youth Sports
Officials have long faced verbal abuse, but in some cases, they have been victims of physical abuse, and this cycle has led to officials leaving the industry. The COVID pandemic didn’t help matters, either. But without officials, there are no youth sports.
Low Retention Rates for New Officials
Mistreatment of Officials
Lack of New People Interested in Becoming an Official
%
Less officials than in 2020
Needed Change
Officials Are Human Too
Officials are constantly being targeted and ridiculed. Now with social media, the hate carries on after the game. This is not okay and needs to change.
Officials Affected
55+
The average age of a youth official is 55 and olderDid You Know?
22
states have criminalized attacks and harassment of officials50,000+
Referees and umpires who have left youth sports since 2018/201955%
of officials rank verbal & physical abuse from coaches & spectators as the #1 reason officials quitGet Involved
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SPORTS OFFICIALS CARE
News & Events
65 Volunteers Through Sports Officials Care Take Time Out To Support Feed My Starving Children in Arizona
NBA referees, umpires from Major League Baseball and sports officials from the college levels - along with many kids and families - turned out to volunteer for a great cause in Feeding My Starving Children in Arizona. All together, there were 65 volunteers...
Atlanta teens learn from the pros at Game On! clinic led by NBA Referee Billy Kennedy, retired NFL Referee Mark Baltz and retired Major League Baseball Umpires
LEARN MORE Atlanta teens got a chance to learn about sports officiating from the pros at a Game On! clinic at Holy Innocents' Episcopal School on July 28. Sports Officials Care President and longtime NBA Referee Billy Kennedy helped lead the drills along with retired...
Great GAME ON event featuring pro referees from NFL, MLS & basketball along with baseball umpires at Taunton High School
What a great Game On event we had at Taunton High School outside of Boston with this esteemed lineup: Baseball umpires – Jeff Merzel and Billy McCalllum Basketball referees – Steve Wilson (College Official) Football referees – Jim Mello (NFL – retired after...
