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Officials needed: Football games at risk of smaller crews
Over the last three years, the number of qualified, licensed football officials in Southeast Missouri area has declined.
In years past, the Southeast Missouri Football Officials Association (SEMOFOA) recruited three-to-five new officials each season. The roughly 120 officials covered up to 220 games per season throughout area that ranges from the Bootheel in the south to the lead belt in the north.
Now, however, a lack of new recruits and the retirements of several veteran officials have created a significant need for the association.
"I'd love to see another 10 to 15 (officials) just from this area alone for the upcoming season," said Area Director Chris Rushin. "The demand is going to be that great."
Rushin attributes football officiating tough inlet as a reason why younger recruits may have overlooked officiating in the last few seasons. The same workers come back year after year. Rushin -- in his 26th year of officiating -- four of the five crew chiefs in the south district have more than 25 years of experience each.
"I don't know that people have been made aware of the opportunities out there," he said.
Tyson Tibbs, an official who started fall 2017, agrees that a lack of awareness has played a factor in the low participation rates.
"(At first) I was lost and didn't know how to get started," Tibbs said. "Once I talked to some people about football, and I feel my name and number got put in the right hands to get me started."
With the reduced number of officials, the association risks sporting less than the normal five-man crew for contests or cancelling games altogether. The uncertainties prompted Rushin and other members of the board to explore different suggestions, including deducting a game from each team's home schedule or moving games to either Thursday night or Saturday afternoon from the traditional Friday night slot.
Those responses are merely bandages that will momentarily stabilize the situation. More permanent solutions are needed to sustain five-man crews.
As a result, the SEMOFOA Board of Directors recently instituted several new measures to entice fresh recruits.
Varsity football officials will receive an increase of $25 per game, reaching a total of $125. Sub-varsity officials have the opportunity to earn up to $140 for two games, pending the level of play.
The monetary increase was agreed to after it was determined that many officials opted to change sports due to the decreased time commitment and equal pay.
"Football, there is a lot greater time commitment involved," Rushin noted. "A varsity contest asks you to be there (90 minutes) before the game. That means you'd have to be at the stadium at 5:30 p.m. for a 7 p.m. start."
"Some football officials have said. 'Hey, I'm going to call softball or baseball,' you only have to be there 30 minutes before the game. And a lot of the time those contests only take an hour to an hour and a half."
On average it would take a new official three-to-five years to officiate on a five-man crew. The shortages have since fast-tracked process and officials may reach the varsity level quicker than before.
A point system has been established to invigorate members to meet deadlines, receive proper training and advance their officiating skills. The points accumulate and possibly determine their strength of schedule and recommendations from the association for playoff games. Rewards will also be given out for noticeable effort.
The sub-varsity schedule has been revamped to assist newer officials as they adapt to the pace and play of the game. The officials will be mentored, receive immediate feedback and study the mechanics of veteran officials.
Rushin gushed about the intrinsic benefits of the job. He believes it establishes a camaraderie with fellow officials and actively helps young people grow.
"There's not a single official that does it for the money," he added.
Tibbs agreed with the sentiment. "I just think these younger guys don't understand how great of an opportunity officiating brings them."
The association has reached out to several athletic directors, administrators and coaches to help spread the word. "It's a clarion call right now for people to consider football officiating." He emphasized that no prior knowledge of the sport is needed to become an official.
"I want officiating done at a quality level and I want it done consistently. I want it to be something that everybody can be proud of."
Those interested can apply at semofoa.org or mshsaa.org.