Sports Officials Care

There is a shortage of officials in baseball. soccer. football. hockey. basketball.
We are here to make a difference.

Do Your Part

Universal Challenges

Shortage of Officials Impacting Youth Sports

Every day, games and tournaments are being canceled because there is a massive shortage of officials in all sports. Why is this happening?

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.

The Problem in Sports

At Sports Officials Care, we recognize this crisis, and are working to make youth sports a better place for everyone – coaches, players, parents and officials.

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Low Retention Rates for New Officials

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Mistreatment of Officials

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Lack of New People Interested in Becoming an Official

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%

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.

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Officials Affected

55+

The average age of a youth official is 55 and older

"Shrinking pay, age, abuse among factors driving referees away in public high schools” - USA Today

Did You Know?

There is a desperate need for youth sports officials!

22

states have criminalized attacks and harassment of officials

"Major League Baseball umpires raise their voices for the safety of Connecticu officials” - Hartford Courant

50,000+

Referees and umpires who have left youth sports since 2018/2019

"Bad Behavior Drove a Referee Shortage” - New York Times

55%

of officials rank verbal & physical abuse from coaches & spectators as the #1 reason officials quit

"Referee shortage in youth sports blamed partly on verbal abuse from parents, coaches” - WXYZ Detroit

Get Involved

Join the Movement

Become a part of the solution instead of the problem. Whether you are an official or not, it’s our job to band together and provide a safe space throughout youth sports.

Become a Founding Supporter

Donate to the Movement

Host a Fundraising Event

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Make A Difference

Host a Fundraising Event

Submit the form below on your idea for hosting a fundraiser and we will be in touch shortly! Thank you for joining us in supporting our officials.

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SPORTS OFFICIALS CARE

News & Events

Game On Clinic brings pro officials to Southport High School in Indianapolis

Dec 3, 2025

Professional sports officials took time out to teach officiating mechanics and run drills with more than 30 students at Southport High School in Indianapolis but they also shared their journeys and life lessons. Steven Woods, who has spent nine seasons as an NFL...

Former Chicago Bears coach Dave Wannestedt joins professional sports officials for Game On clinic

Nov 13, 2025

It's one thing for professional sports officials to stress the importance of referees in sports. It's another for a former NFL coach to echo those sentiments. Former Chicago Bears coach Dave Wannestedt made a guest appearance at our Sports Officials Care Game On...

All-Star roster of sports officials inspires high school students at clinic in Cleveland

Oct 23, 2025

(Front row, L to R - Former Minor League Baseball Umpire Jude Koury, Suburban Umpire Association Umpire Mark Menear, 2026 NFHS/OHSAA Active Football Official of the Year Mike Dame and FIFA Official Tori Penso) (Back row, L to R - Major League Baseball Call-Up Umpire...