Is becoming a referee something I really want to do?

That depends on the individual.  Some like the extra money, other want to be a part of the game they love, while others are looking for a way to stay in shape.  There are many hours to be spent to become a quality official.  These hours include training, meetings and travel to and from assignments.  If you are truly interested in becoming an official, it is a very small price to pay.

Don't referees get a lot of abuse?

Verbal abuse is something that comes with the job.  Coaches are making their living during these football games.  When something goes against them, either officiating or during the games, they sometimes get upset and the officials may be the closet release points.  Officials have to be able to deal with the situations in a professional manner.

As for the fans, we all are fans of the game or we wouldn’t be involved in it.  Fans will always voice their opinions and anyone who has ever attended a game knows that there are informed fans and fans who don’t have a clue what is going on.  A big part of the experience on the football field comes from the fans.  You will encounter both appreciative fans and boisterous fans.  You will hear claims of “homer” from the visitors much of the time, and hear calls from the home stands of “don’t you know where you are?”  These are all part of the game and with experience you will be able to put everything in perspective and work the game.  It is all a part of the overall officiating experience.

How do I get games?

Varsity games are assigned through a draft system.  The coaches from the schools we cover get together each spring and through a lottery system draft the crews they want to officiate their games.  This is not a perfect system, but it takes the political aspects of assignments out of the process.  As for sub-varsity games, there are 3 sub-varsity secretaries in the chapter and each is responsible for a certain amount of schools in their area.  These secretaries have a pool of officials who reside in their geographical areas and assignments come from this process.  New officials will most likely work only sub-varsity games and when requested, Friday night chain crew assignments during their first year or so.  The schedule dictates how many officials actually have Friday night games.  The biggest need of most chapters is for sub-varsity officials due to the enormous amount of games.

When are games played?

The regular season usually starts around the last week of August and runs through the first or second week in November.  Scrimmages start a week or two earlier than the regular season.  Varsity games are usually scheduled for Friday nights.  Sometimes there may be a game on Thursday or Saturday, but these are not the normal schedule for most schools.  Sub-varsity games may be on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursdays and sometimes on Fridays.  The assigning secretaries will have a schedule of games for the season and give officials as much notice of their schedule as possible.  Sometimes there are last minute changes and situations have to be cared for.

How many games will I do each night?

Most varsity nights, there will only be 1 game.  On sub-varsity nights, there will be at least 1 game and in rare instances there may be as many as 4.  The normal schedule for sub-varsity games is 2 or 3 games per site per night.

What time do games begin?

The schools set the starting time.  Varsity games normally start at 7:30 p.m.  There are exceptions but this is a basic time.  Sub-varsity games usually start at 4:30, 5:00, 5:30, or 6:00 in the evenings.

What is the pay?

The pay will vary from game to game.  It is determined by the UIL (University Interscholastic League).  A high school varsity game will pay more than a sub-varsity game.  For varsity games, officials receive a percentage of the gate.  Sub-varsity game rates are set by the chapter.  Mileage is charged for varsity assignments only.

What will it cost me to get started?

Initially, you will have to pay the state and local membership dues.  These will allow you to register with the state association, provide you with rule books, and include you in the insurance policy, etc.  You will also need to purchase a uniform.  There are vendor listed on the links page which can assist you in determining the cost of the uniform you need in order to get started.

Will there be any training?

Yes.  Training takes place prior to the beginning of the season.  It consists of several sessions that teach the signals and the mechanics of the games.   There are also many clinics available to all officials.  Some education is required each year by ALL officials regardless of years of service.  It is very important to get off to a good start as a young official by obtaining all the education you can.

Are there any other meetings that I will be required to attend?

Regular chapter meetings are held on Monday nights during the season.  The meetings start at 6:30 p.m. and are held at Ben E. Keith in Commerce.  The by-laws of the chapter require a certain amount of meetings to be attended each year to maintain eligibility for varsity assignments and play-off games.  Regular meetings usually consist of officials sharing “special situations” which may have occurred the previous week or rules questions that have be asked by coaches or fans.  Then there is a program, which usually will focus on 1 area of the game at a time, presented by a chapter member with discussion from the chapter.  After the program, game assignments for both sub-varsity and varsity games for the coming week are handed out and discussed.