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Making the Right Call There’s a shortage of sports officials across West Virginia and the U.S.
america has a vibrant sports industry that relies on nurturing young talent at the high school and college levels. Sadly, the number of sports officials has fallen at an alarming rate over the past few years, especially at the high school level. Three trends have contributed to a shrinking pool of officials at this level of play. One, the aging of the current officials and a declining number of younger officials joining the ranks. Two, the increase of verbal abuse directed toward officials. Three, non-scholastic organizations can offer more money and more games to officiate. At just 33 years old, Matt Ridgway is one of the youngest sports officials in the Mountain East Conference. He has officiated in the confer- ence since 2011. In 2018, he began working for the National Football League as a game day assistant involved with instant replay. A former walk-on at the University of Arkansas, Ridgway knew he wanted to stay involved in the game of football when his playing days were over. “Officiating is hands-down the best way to stay involved in a sport you love,” he says. He credits his father, who a former official, for helping him start the process. Like all officials, Ridgway started with pee-wee and junior varsity games before moving up to the high school level. “Officiating at the lower levels can be some of the most challenging, because you have to adapt to the talent level,” he says. According to Ridgway, at all levels, an official tries to determine if a foul has a “material impact” on the play. If it does not and it does not impact safety, it probably should not be called. However, it is an opportunity to teach the player that a foul would
have been called and why it would have affected the outcome of the play. “Officiating is not about calling fouls,” Ridgway explains. “It is about managing the game. All officials prefer a clean game and to interrupt the flow of the game as little as possible.” By day, Ridgway is a geotechnical engineer, and his officiating skills have translated well to his chosen career. Officiating has been an important part of his personal and professional development, and he would encourage more young people to consider getting involved. “If you think about it, you get a crash course in managing people and resolving conflict every game,” he says. Ridgway credits his ability to stay calm in stressful situations and to defuse conflict to officiating. “There are so many skills you learn officiating that translate to success in your work and personal life,” he says. He hopes to be officiating for another 30 years. “I think my dream game to officiate would be the Army– Navy football game,” he says. “To be a part of something with such an amazing history would be incredible.” As athletes continue to become bigger, stronger, and faster, the involvement of younger people in officiating is even more imperative. For Ridgway, it was definitely the right call. “Officiating is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done,” he says, and he strongly encourages other sports lovers to try it. If you’re interested in learning more about becoming an official for the game that you love, you can contact the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission or visit nfcso.com. written by buddy butler
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