Officiating Coverage

Opinion: Unacceptable behavior at high school sporting events is still happening

NFHS Chief Executive Officer Dr. Karissa Niehoff says behavior continues to be a problem for high school sports across the country.

Dr. Karissa L. Niehoff, NFHS Chief Executive Officer

Participants now inbounds with one point of contact in high school wrestling

This fundamental change to high school wrestling was one of six major changes impacting almost 30 rules recommended by the NFHS Wrestling Rules Committee at its April 1-3 meeting in Indianapolis. All recommended changes were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

Realignment, sportsmanship issues among topics NCHSAA board will discuss at spring meeting

When the N.C. High School Athletic Association Board of Directors holds its spring meeting at the end of the month, much of the attention will be placed on the upcoming realignment.

Nick Stevens, HighSchoolOT managing editor

Meet official responsibilities, communication clarified in high school swimming & diving rules

The change comes in conjunction with one of the committee's fundamental goals, which is to increase communication between coaches and officials to promote the flow of a swim meet.

Minor rules changes announced for 2024 high school volleyball season

In all, four rules changes were recommended by the National Federation of State High School Associations Volleyball Rules Committee.

First NFL High School Football Officials 'Crew of the Year' selected

As part of their recognition, the crew is invited to attend the NFL Pro Bowl Games and participate in the Pro Bowl Skills Challenge on February 4 in Orlando, Florida.

Lacrosse season extended, softball bat testing eliminated: All the action taken by the NCHSAA board this week

The NCHSAA Board of Directors made a number of changes at its board meeting this week, including the elimination of the softball bat testing policy and the expansion of the lacrosse regular season.

Nick Stevens, HighSchoolOT managing editor

New state law, realignment, shot clock & boys volleyball: What the NCHSAA will discuss at its board meeting

While the new state law impacting the NCHSAA will take a lot of attention over the next several months, the association also has a number of other topics to tackle at its winter board meeting next week.

Nick Stevens, HighSchoolOT managing editor

Stevens: New data will show continuing concern from officials, but some signs for hope

Bill Topp, the President of the National Association of Sports Officials, shared some exclusive data from a survey the organization conducted, which shows continuing concern around the treatment of officials in high school sports. According to the survey, 12% of officials report having been physically assaulted while on the job.

Nick Stevens, HighSchoolOT managing editor

Stevens: Discussing the role of media in the sportsmanship problem

Two sessions on Tuesday morning at the NFHS Behavior in Sports Summit in Indianapolis focused on the media's role -- the differences in covering high school sports compared to college or professional sports, and the impact of social media on behavior.

Nick Stevens, HighSchoolOT managing editor

Fixing behavior in sports requires reconsidering how we measure the return on investment

Longtime sports reporter Anne Marie Anderson opened the NFHS Behavior in Sports Summit on Monday with a story about the need for parents to re-evaluate how they measure success in youth and high school sports.

Nick Stevens, HighSchoolOT managing editor

HSOT's Nick Stevens to participate on panel at NFHS Behavior in Sports Summit

The NFHS Behavior in Sports Summit seeks to find solutions to resolve behavioral issues at high school sports events across the country. Poor behavior is one of the main contributors to the nationwide official shortage.

NFL partners with NFHS to help increase number of officials for youth, high school football

As part of the ongoing partnership between the National Football League and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), a new initiative to increase participation in and recognition of high school football officials will be piloted with seven NFL clubs during the 2023 football season.

NFHS partners with RefReps to provide education for sports officials

The National Federation of State High School Associations has reached an agreement with a company to provide online training for sports officials.

President of athletic directors association speaks about NC legislation, NIL, sportsmanship

Colin Fegeley, the president of the N.C. Athletic Directors Association, joined Nick Stevens to discuss pending legislation that could have a major impact on high school sports, the passage of a NIL policy for athletes, sportsmanship issues, and more.

Basketball final four, bat testing, & participation: Here's what the NCHSAA board will discuss this week

When the N.C. High School Athletic Association Board of Directors meets this week in Chapel Hill for its regular spring meeting, the group will be tasked with tackling some of the biggest issues in high school sports.

Nick Stevens, HighSchoolOT managing editor

NFHS recognizes 8 high school officials with awards

Eight individuals who have been involved in high school sports officiating for many years have been selected as the 2022 recipients of national and section awards by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Officials Association.

Mark Dreibelbis, retired NCHSAA associate commissioner, to receive NFHS Citation

Former N.C. High School Athletic Association Associate Commissioner Mark Dreibelbis will receive a national award from the National Federation of State High School Associations.

Nick Stevens, HighSchoolOT managing editor

To address behavior at games, NFHS says sports need to be more formative, less performative

In December, the N.C. High School Athletic Association voted to raise officials pay in an attempt to address the critical shortage of sports officials in North Carolina.

Nick Stevens, HighSchoolOT managing editor

NFHS press conference on nationwide officiating shortage

The National Federation of State High School Associations holds a press conference to address the national shortage of sports officials and action the NFHS is taking.

NFHS to hold press conference about national officiating shortage on Tuesday

The National Federation of State High School Associations will hold a press conference next week to discuss the national shortage of officials in high school sports.

Nick Stevens, HighSchoolOT managing editor

Year in Review: The biggest stories in NC high school sports in 2022

As we prepare to celebrate the start of another year, it's worth taking time to look back at all that transpired in North Carolina high school sports in 2022.

Nick Stevens, HighSchoolOT managing editor

Chair of officiating committee says NCHSAA action was a win, hopes it prevents walkout of officials

When the N.C. High School Athletic Association approved a pay raise for officials and committed to working on issues of sportsmanship, the chair of the ad hoc committee charged with investigating the officials shortage was pleased.

Nick Stevens, HighSchoolOT managing editor

Chair of officiating committee: 10% raise for officials was a win

Steve Schwartz, a basketball official in the Trianlge and chair of the NCHSAA ad hoc committee for officiating, said the NCHSAA's decision to raise officials pay after receiving the results of the officials survey was a win, and he hopes its enough to buy time to fix bigger issues.

Round Table: Officials get raises, changes to classifications & more from NCHSAA board meeting

HighSchoolOT's Nick Stevens and J. Mike Blake break down the action taken by the NCHSAA Board of Directors at its winter meeting, including a new amendment proposal, officials getting a raise, shot clock, and more.