SDHSAA addresses ref shortage, what schools have seen

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – Fall sporting events are in full swing across KELOLAND, but that comes with the challenge of finding enough officials for each game.

“We’ve seen that, especially in rural areas. It’s harder because there’s not as many officials in those areas,” Kristina Sage assistant executive director for the South Dakota High School Activities Association said.

Lake Preston High School’s secondary principal and athletic activities director, Jordan Solberg, says the area struggles the most is finding lower-level officials.

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“Whether it would be myself, other school employees, some parents or former athletes of mine, and community members to help fulfill and make it possible for our kids to play,” Solberg said.

And they’re not the only ones seeing a shortage.

According to the Britton-Hecla school website they’ve had to reschedule their school’s homecoming game due to a shortage.

…it’s something West Lyon Community School has also seen this year.A statement from their athletic director, Jeremy Childress, reads:

“We have not had to play on a Saturday as of yet but are aware that finding officials is a constant struggle for all school districts right now.  Some sports are tougher than others.  Wrestling has been especially challenging lately.

West Lyon is thankful to our local community members that have become officials to help with lower level games that start earlier and it is tough for an outside crew to get to.”

Addressing the need, the South Dakota High School Activities Association is making efforts to get more people interested in the job.

Part of the effort is implementing RefReps, an officiating education course students can take while in school.

“They can take classes about officiating and learn about it and maybe have an opportunity to do that in their local school and then go on to maybe do that at the varsity level. But that’s something new in the last few years,” Sage said.

Something Solberg hopes students interested in athletics consider.

“It’s a great way to give back to student-athletes and to your community is to provide an opportunity for our kids to play. And that’s kind of why I do it is it’s another way to interact with the students and get to see them do things that they love to do,” Solberg said.

For more information on how to become an official with the South Dakota High School Activities Association click here.