October 2001
Referee published results of a survey conducted by NASO and revealed for the first time what many have long believed: There is a shortage of officials in this country. A startling 90 percent of state associations polled reported there was an overall shortage of officials, despite the fact that more games were being played than in previous seasons.
The vast majority of respondents (78 percent) indicated the greater problem was lack of new recruits and not retention of current officials. And by far the overall lack of sportsmanship was cited as the reason people walked away from or declined to take up the avocation.
The NFHS conducted a survey of officials independent of NASO’s. Job or career demands were chief among respondents’ reasons for quitting. Low pay and poor sportsmanship were also blamed.
- 2000s
