Like every other state in the country, Colorado high school sports are facing a shortage of officials. There aren't enough officials to cover all the games the kids are playing, says CHSAA associate commissioner Tom Robinson, who oversees sports officials in the state.
"We are having to ask schools to alter varsity schedules just to ensure that we can cover those games, but there will be sub-varsity games that won't have complete crews on some of them," Robinson said. "That isn't fair to the athletes and to the officials, because that level is a training level for both."
The officials' organizations that serve Colorado's high schools have developed classes for those interested in becoming an official. In most sports, these classes are local and the leadership will assist in registration, training and can answer any questions that might arise.
Local classes start this month for the fall sports of football and volleyball.
A football officiating class will be on Wednesday nights starting at 6 p.m. on July 26. The class will be at Mercy Regional Medical Center, Room A. For more information, contact Rick O'Block at 769-3782 or Rjob58@gmail.com.
Volleyball officiating class starts at 6 p.m. on Aug. 7 in the Bayfield Town Hall board room. To register, contact Erin Dunavant at 884-4715 or edunavant@gmail.com.
Soccer classes will be announced at a later date.
