New York sports programs battling referee shortage
LATHAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Some high schools across New York have been struggling to get games on the schedule with a decreasing number of referees. Yet, some local organizations are working to find a way to keep both players and officials on the field.
Wins, losses and even championships are all memories that would not be possible without referees.
"If there's no referee, there's no game," said Randy Vogt, Public Relations Director Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association. "Our numbers went down almost half after the pandemic."
The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association regulates teams across all of eastern New York -- and they're not the only group that's struggling. The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) said this has been an ongoing issue nationwide.
“I think this has been a trend for about a decade now where we’ve seen a decline in the number of officials we have, and it's not just some sports but all sports," said Robert Zayas, executive director of NYSPHSAA.
“Game are becoming postponed or canceled or they end up becoming scrimmages which is unfair to the players” – Louis Stellato, a long-time referee and NYSPHSAA Officials Coordinating Federation Co-Chair.
Louis Stellato has been an official for 50 years, including 25 years at a division three college. He said it's a great way for people to stay in the game when they can no longer play.
"A lot of fun, I've met some great people along the way; players, coaches and fellow officials," said Stellato. "And its just been an enjoyable time refereeing."
However, with a desperate need to get more referees on courts and fields, Stellato said the reasons for this decline can vary.
"It would be very easy for me to stand here and say sportsmanship would be the main reason but I can't say that's the total reason," said Stellato. "As far as people working nowadays, there's no regular 8-4, 9-5 job which creates an issue."
Yet for many referees like Louis, that struggle is worth enduring.
"Because in the bottom line of all this it's for the high school kids, it's not for me to say that I'm here to make money, it's for me to go out and say I'm going to do the best job I can for that team, that night, no matter the level," said Stellato.
Both Zayas and Stellato said that anybody with a love for a sport can be a referee, even if they have no experience. In recent years, organizations have released online referee trainings and school-based programs to help with traveling to and from games for aspiring referees.
Anyone interested in learning more about trainings can contact NYSPHSAA.