Page 3

LHSAA Announces Partnership with the NBA

LHSAA has formed a strategic partnership with the NBA to address the ongoing referee shortage.

Former Alaska Executive Director Gary Matthews Passes Away

Former Executive Director of the Alaska School Activities Association Gary Matthews passed away earlier this month.

NASO Takes Issue with The Farmer’s Dog Commercial

See statement from NASO President Bill Topp.

NHL Promotes Beach, Kea, Mahon to Full-Time Officials

Referees Cody Beach and Justin Kea, along with linesperson Joe Mahon, have all been moved up for the 2024-25 season.

First Mexican-born Woman to Referee an NBA Game Inspires Next Generation

Blanca Burns officiated her first NBA game in December 2021.

“I Used to Hate That Word Trailblazer’

Rebecca Welch reflects on her 14-year career as a referee, reaching the highest-echelons of the English club game.

NY Post: Uncivilized Behavior Making National Referee Epidemic Worse

Consider the national epidemic that has led to the resignations of high school, Little League and rec league officials.

Umpire’s Life Saved by Doctor in Stands

Pontbriand dropped to the ground and went into cardiac arrest. He couldn’t breathe and his heart stopped beating.

Pennsylvania Sanctions Girls’ Flag Football as High School Sport

The approval from PIAA makes flag football an official sport for girls in the nation's fifth-most populous state.

LaLiga, RFEF Introduce Referee Gesture for Racist Incidents

FIFA's new signal will be used by officials to indicate that a racist incident has been reported.

NHL Hires Two Officials for 2024-25 Season

Defensemen-turned-referees Alex Lepkowski and Liam Maaskant will be joining the NHL Officiating staff.

FIFA Allows France to Trial Mic’d Up Referees

FIFA has allowed a sound system in stadiums that will enable the referee to explain decisions taken after VAR.

A “Full-Count Conversation” with Umpire Angela Noury

In 1988, Angela Noury’s mother, Robin, aspired to volunteer her time as a Little League® umpire.

Referee Praised for Saving Player’s Life After Stopping Game

After about 10 minutes he noticed the player looked unwell and stopped the game telling him to go to hospital.

Jim Paronto 2024 in College Baseball Hall of Fame Class

The late umpire/administrator will be inducted posthumously.

ESPN: Why the NFL is Making Illegal Formation a Point of Emphasis

The NFL officiating department sent a teaching tape and a memo to every team to detail expectations for the regular season.

Sailing News: Digital Umpiring for the America’s Cup

Highly experienced umpires are using some of the very latest digital technology to ensure that calls are both fair and consistent.

Muff, Touch and Bat Similar Not Identical

I f it looks like a muff, it can’t be anything but a muff, right? Well, not necessarily. Both rule codes make it clear a...

Tips to Stay Focused During Long Matches

Staying focused as a referee or line judge is of the utmost importance. Whether it’s a tight match or not, first point or...

Number of Disabled Referees Growing Across Para Sports

Officiating presents another avenue to stay in sports after athletic careers are over.

How Are Officials Affected by New Hall of Fame Nomination?

Two new Pro Football HOF “screening committees” will independently evaluate nominees.

Tragic Death of Umpire Stirs Heartache in San Antonio Sports Community

According to the San Antonio Police Department, Renteria was driving for a ride-share company when he was caught in a gunfight.

The NFL Will Not Measure First Downs Electronically This Season

The league continued to test the system during the preseason but the system will go into regular season use in 2025 at the...

MLB Umpire Nick Mahrley Sustains Concussion

HP umpire Nick Mahrley was carted off the field at Yankee Stadium on Sunday after being hit by the Giancarlo Stanton’s broken bat.