Challenges Facing Arizona High School Sports Officials
Arizona’s high school sports scene is gearing up for another season. As Friday night lights glow and gyms fill with energy, the focus tends to shine on athletes and coaches. However, there’s another critical group that’s often overlooked—officials. While national trends show recovery in high school sports, Arizona faces unique challenges.
Typically, we don’t delve into discussions about officiating. Athletes score the highlights, coaches take center stage in interviews, and officials are often noted only when someone disagrees with a call. Yet, these individuals are the backbone of sports events across the state. Today, we aim to shed light on this group, with insights from Brian Gesner, an official with the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA).
According to the National Association of High School Federations, there was a 6% rise in registration across 36 states this year, with overall high school sports registration now exceeding pre-pandemic figures. While that’s encouraging, Gesner mentions that Arizona is still catching up.
“Arizona is in a phase of growth,” Gesner remarked. “We need more schools, more games, and definitely more officials.” Even though participation is climbing, this surge imposes added stress on a system that’s already stretched thin. Seasoned officials are managing more games than ever, while rural regions struggle to find enough officials to keep up with schedules.
The AIA has introduced a robust, multi-pronged strategy to address the shortage of officials. Gesner described the recruitment efforts as a “shotgun approach,” aiming to engage universities, junior colleges, and other community sectors. This initiative includes a broad media campaign—covering radio, print, TV, social media, and signage. Yet, the most effective recruitment so far has stemmed from within the community; AIA’s incentive program, encouraging current officials to mentor newcomers, has yielded significant results.
Retention, however, demands a more focused approach. The AIA actively checks in with first, second, and third-year officials throughout the season to ensure they feel supported. These officials are paired with experienced mentors and receive regular evaluations aimed at fostering growth instead of just survival.
“We want them to thrive, not merely survive,” Gesner emphasized, highlighting the ongoing support available to help prevent burnout.
But there’s a persistent concern that looms large: the atmosphere surrounding games. Gesner doesn’t shy away from addressing it directly.
“Absolutely! This is the biggest reason people hesitate to join,” he stated, referring to the negative environment. “I don’t want to scream that way!”
Verbal abuse and poor behavior from spectators—often adults—afflict youth and high school sports nationwide, and Arizona is no exception. In response, the AIA has made sportsmanship a primary focus. Last year, the association raised penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct, which led to noticeable improvements in behavior. Some districts have even adopted stricter policies. Recently, AIA introduced the Bronze Star Award to honor schools that exemplify exceptional sportsmanship.
Local athletic directors are witnessing these tensions firsthand. At Safford High School, assistant principal and athletic director Ryan Shirling noted that the shortage of officials has had tangible effects on the school’s operations. His team has had to play varsity basketball games with just two referees instead of the usual three, and one referee on the field for some sports.
Improvisation and rescheduling have become part of the routine. Nonetheless, Shirling sees a glimmer of hope as the community’s expectations and policies surrounding behavior start to shift. This transformation is crucial for retaining new referees who might leave after just one tough experience.
“Officiating is vital for high school sports,” Shirling said. “Without them, we can’t hold the games.”
At Thatcher High, assistant principal Ty Stewart echoed similar sentiments, sharing that certain sports are particularly affected by the shortage. For instance, soccer matches now often see only one referee available instead of the three typically required. Other sports face similar challenges.
Stewart pointed to factors like time commitment, low pay, and hostile crowd behavior as significant deterrents for young officials.
“There are very few young people willing to step up,” she remarked, noting the motivations vary widely. “Everything from time commitment to money and dealing with criticism plays a part.”
However, both Shirling and Stewart believe solutions are within reach. “I think we’ll see the younger generation step up if we can encourage more positive behavior from the stands,” Stewart suggested, as she remains hopeful about community engagement.
Looking forward, Gessner identifies youth involvement as key to stability in officiating. He cited statistics indicating that around 70% of kids discontinue sports once they hit high school.
“If we can retain just half of those kids, think about the potential benefits,” he said, referencing the AIA’s Official Youth Academy. This initiative aims to prepare high school students to help with junior high games while also integrating officiating education into high school curricula for added credibility.
While attracting fresh talent is critical, technology is increasingly becoming a valuable ally for officials. Gessner indicated that AIA’s internal scheduling system is steadily advancing, with video serving as an outstanding training tool. “We’re always looking to broaden those opportunities,” he noted.
Despite these efforts, numbers remain below the levels needed to meet demand. With Arizona’s growth, the need for more officials is urgent, and while registration figures are climbing, they aren’t keeping pace.
“Our veteran officials are overloaded, leading to health concerns and the risk of burnout,” Gesner remarked. “We certainly don’t have enough officials.”
Although there is pushback in Arizona, communities like Safford and Thatcher continue grappling with staffing challenges. Local athletic directors reported a scarcity of umpires in sports, sometimes resulting in games being played with insufficient officiating. While statewide initiatives for recruitment and retention show promise, there’s consensus that improving audience behavior and nurturing new officials are vital steps going forward.
