With the completion of the 2020-21 athletic year in the books, there was a growing trend for high school athletics with a shortage of game officials. 

Greene County School District Activities Director Todd Gordon says they were impacted by a shortage of game officials for several sports, including volleyball, baseball, softball and spring soccer. He believes most of the shortage was due to COVID-19.

“Last year some people who were a little more compromised with their health, didn’t do it. So this year with the opportunity to come back, they didn’t come back. So we were left with a shortage.”    

Gordon points out during the soccer season, some matches only had two officials and for baseball and softball, there was only one umpire. Since Gordon believes lots of the veteran and older crowd of officials may not come back this year, he advises anyone who is interested to be certified to be a game official.

“My encouragement would be, if somebody loves the game, wants to help give back to kids and be involved in the athletic experience, it’s a great way, and you can make a little extra money. It’s a great way to give back. There’s opportunities there and if you get certified you’ll be busy, you can stay busy.”

Contact the Iowa High School Athletic Association or the Iowa High School Girls Athletic Union to learn more about the certification process.