By Audrey Posten

A class offered at Clayton Ridge High School last semester aimed to generate youth interest in officiating.

Ten students, ranging from sophomores to seniors, took the elective course, which was based on a curriculum by Ref Reps, a digital platform that helps schools and organizations teach officiating. The course was taught by Clayton Ridge social studies and physical education teacher Kyle Sperfslage.

“[Ref Reps] is offered in a lot of states now. It’s really growing,” Sperfslage said. “It’s an online curriculum, so they go through videos, scenarios, and then they take quizzes at an individual pace.”

Each student learned how to officiate volleyball and softball/baseball, then a third sport of their choice. Interests included football, basketball, wrestling, soccer and even swimming and diving.

Sophomore Jovi Allyn selected soccer—one of multiple sports she plays for the Eagles. Fellow sophomore Nash Reimer, another multi-sport athlete, opted for basketball.

Reimer said his participation in basketball, soccer and golf prompted him to take the officiating course. He also thought it would be fun.

“Some of my friends were taking it and I’m in a lot of sports,” he said. “I liked learning all the rules and figuring out how the sport works for sports that I don’t play.”

Students earned hands-on experience reffing an advisory volleyball tournament, and they went to the Little League fields a handful of times to work on mechanics and calling balls and strikes.

Two veteran officials, each with 30 to 40 years of experience officiating multiple sports, spoke to the class as well.

“It was nice because, most of the time, they officiate my games,” Reimer shared.

Allyn also appreciated hearing from the officials.

“You see the ref’s perspective, and they answered a lot of questions I had,” she said.

After taking this course, students can pursue becoming certified officials, according to Sperfslage.

Reimer and Allyn both said they are interested in helping out at the youth level.

“I thought it would be a good opportunity, even just to help out with youth sports because they always seem to need help, and it would be fun,” Allyn said.

Sperfslage is glad to see this interest. There is a shortage of officials in Iowa.

“You have some districts playing football on Thursday nights because there aren’t enough officials. You have baseball games getting canceled because they can’t find umpires,” he said.

Many of those who are officiating are older.

“That could be that some are retired and it’s easier for them,” Sperfslage said, “but the struggle is we’re not getting new refs. And if we’re struggling to find officials now, what’s 10 years going to look like, or five?”

Sperfslage understands not all students who took the course will go on to officiate. But some might.

“Even if we get one new official out of it, that is good,” he said. “These kids can get certified and they can make money if they choose to officially get certified. You don’t officiate for the money, but as a younger person, you can make good money. And you can set how much you want to do.”

At the least, Sperfslage believes students gained social skills, learned how to work with others and got out of their comfort zones. As athletes and fans, he believes it was also valuable to see an official’s perspective.

“When you look at the shortage of officials, I think your number one reason is dealing with irrational fans,” he said. “I think they can improve as a person and an athlete knowing the other side of it. Officials are doing their best. It’s not easy.”

“The more people you have educated, the better people are going to act in the stands. If kids are being educated, maybe they help educate their parents or others on the rules of the game,” he added.