1
- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
re: What’s it like being a HS football referee?
Posted on 9/15/26 at 4:58 pm to Mushroom1968
Posted on 9/15/26 at 4:58 pm to Mushroom1968
As far as pay that doesn’t seem bad. I didn’t know if they were gonna send me an hour away for $50, so that’s why I was curious. I’m good in pressure environments also. Promised wife I’d go work part time somewhere after a year of retirement and it’s been nearly 2 years now. She thought refereeing would be good for me also. I’m still fairly young and would like to make my own schedule, still have a son in HS and another just graduated but still at the house. I enjoy my time with them but wouldn’t mind staying more busy and having extra cash.
Posted on 9/15/26 at 5:01 pm to Jake88
quote:
For the refs in here, what was your biggest blown call and what did it result in for the aggrieved team?
You are always going to miss some but so far I haven’t had any calls that directly affected the outcome of a game . Some fans and even coaches don’t know what each official is responsible for on each play . Every position has different reads/keys on each play . I was an Umpire the first 4 years ( you about get ran over 3 or 4 times a night
) and am running the Line Judge position this year . You gotta be focused for sure bc things happen so fast during a play . Since I am on the sidelines this year it is a lot faster and you have coaches constantly in your ear . Our Assigner always says “Don’t call everything you see, but damn sure see what you call”! I would call a game every night if I could . It’s one of the few things I have really enjoyed in my life Posted on 9/15/26 at 5:09 pm to WillieD
quote:
A coworker did it a few years back and they had secret meet up locations and were escorted to the games by the state police. I can’t imagine what it’s like now.
As a longtime official I will call bullshite on escorts from LSP to games.
Posted on 9/15/26 at 5:22 pm to Mushroom1968
quote:
Promised wife I’d go work part time somewhere after a year
Exactly what I did!
You can accept or decline games ( although I wouldn’t decline too many unless really necessary) when they are assigned so you have some control of your schedule. I would encourage you to try it . You will probably really enjoy it . Good luck and congrats on retirement
Posted on 9/15/26 at 5:23 pm to Chad504boy
quote:
Do you have intent on making corrupt calls?
I have been around HS sports nearly my entire life, I have never seen a "corrupt". In fact I have yet to officiate with someone that cared who won.
You just confirmed your grand level of moronness.
Posted on 9/15/26 at 5:27 pm to cjohn1290
quote:I've the bad behaviour equally spread between private and public schools. and I have never had a confrontation after a hs game..... Youth game yes, but that dude learned a very painful lesson.
You ref a private school game, and it will be smooth sailing with the occasional arse chewing from a coach on a bad call
You ref a public school game, the team that loses will have your picture blasted on social media the next day talking about “dis mayne cheated us”. Thats if you were fortunate enough to make it to your vehicle without any confrontation with fans
Posted on 9/15/26 at 5:32 pm to Mushroom1968
Nobody does it for the pay...... 4 hours plus allocated to game day. Weekly meetings starting in July through regular season. Weekly film review and if you're like me and know a lot of coaches and they respect you... I get about 7-8 inquires a week like "hey I sent you some clips tell me what you think"
Posted on 9/15/26 at 5:37 pm to tigerfoot
quote:I have never had so much as a foul word from them - even when they lost..... But people generally don't treat me bad....nothing about me screams "that's they guy I am going to yell at"
he only exception I’ve seen was John Curtis, they were awful to the officials.
and some staffs will go as far as crews will let them....
Posted on 9/15/26 at 5:40 pm to shutterspeed
quote:don't do youth sports problem solved.
How well can you tolerate verbal abuse? Can you throw hands? How would you rate your fight skills against multiple attackers?
High Schools by and large do a good job of keeping people in line..
Posted on 9/15/26 at 5:42 pm to Jake88
quote:IW they answer is usually always gonna be IW
For the refs in here, what was your biggest blown call and what did it result in for the aggrieved team?
Posted on 9/15/26 at 5:48 pm to choupiquesushi
quote:
IW they answer is usually always gonna be IW
I haven’t had one yet thank god
but we had one as a crew already 
Posted on 9/15/26 at 6:03 pm to choupiquesushi
IW?
Posted on 9/15/26 at 6:09 pm to Mushroom1968
I know a guy he loves it
Posted on 9/15/26 at 6:16 pm to Mushroom1968
quote:
Is the pay and traveling worth it? Do you or people you know who do it enjoy it?
I did it in the Lafayette area for 3 years. In my opinion, its only worth it if you really love Football, have free time, and you don't mind making a low wage to travel 30+ miles. Most of our refs were guys in the 50's or 60's who did it as kind of a volunteer/hobby thing.
If you need a side job and want to ref, do youth soccer and baseball. I used to make $200-$500 some busy weekends and never drove further than Broussard or Carencro.
Posted on 9/15/26 at 6:20 pm to Jake88
Inadvertent Whistle
Posted on 9/15/26 at 7:18 pm to choupiquesushi
This was Mississippi
Posted on 9/15/26 at 7:57 pm to Mushroom1968
I don’t know how they get anyone to do these games. I was at a small private school girls basketball game once, and one of the parents was trying to start a fight with a ref. I’m pretty sure your daughter Chloe Belle isn’t making the WNBA.
Posted on 9/15/26 at 8:11 pm to Mushroom1968
I did it for 20+ years. It is a great hobby that you actually get paid to do.
If you are interested, contact the assignment secretary nearest you (contact info on LHSAA website) & tell him you are interested in joining the association next year. Ask him if you could go to a few games with the officials. It will give you an opportunity to see it from the inside. Depending on where you are located, you might even be asked to work the clock. You would also get to see some free football. Then you will be in line to work scrimmages in the spring.
If you are interested, contact the assignment secretary nearest you (contact info on LHSAA website) & tell him you are interested in joining the association next year. Ask him if you could go to a few games with the officials. It will give you an opportunity to see it from the inside. Depending on where you are located, you might even be asked to work the clock. You would also get to see some free football. Then you will be in line to work scrimmages in the spring.
Posted on 9/15/26 at 8:26 pm to Mushroom1968
You must have retired early. Are you a government worker living off us poor saps having to pay for your lifetime pension?
Workers in private businesses are not financially able to retire when their kids have completed high school sports.
But I say get a job as a football referee. It will be fun.
Workers in private businesses are not financially able to retire when their kids have completed high school sports.
But I say get a job as a football referee. It will be fun.
Posted on 9/15/26 at 8:51 pm to Jake88
quote:
For the refs in here, what was your biggest blown call and what did it result in for the aggrieved team?
Volleyball - LHSAA 5A playoff match about 20 years ago. 5th set and we’re already 19-18 match point. Line judge was blocked out of a call and from my view on stand it was in. That tied it up at 19-19 instead of giving the W to the home team. Visitors came back and won 21-19.
Someone I trust that was there told me it was out by a few inches.
Page 3 of 4
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News