Referee Magazine

50 Voices for 50 Years – Pickleball has only about 800 officials across the country and isn't covered regularly in Referee Magazine. Tom Tadler of USA Pickleball reads every issue anyway, and explains why all officials should. Watch the Whole Video Here: youtube.com/watch?v=Ec8yWR2L…

Referee Iconic Stories – One disputed coin toss turned NFL referee Phil Luckett into a national target and raised troubling questions about the league's willingness to defend its officials. Revisit the controversy, the evidence and the debate over whether Luckett made the right call. Originally published in the September 1999 issue of Referee Magazine. Read the full story here: referee.com/phil-luckett-nfl…

50 Voices for 50 Years – Mechanics changed again and again over Julian Tackett’s 45 years officiating. When the veterans in his association disagreed about how something should be done, there was always just one place to settle it.  Watch the Whole Video Here: youtube.com/watch?v=vMfUiOQr…

Referee Icons: He reached the highest levels of college basketball officiating. Then an unimaginable tragedy changed everything. The story of Bobby Dibler's journey through grief, love and recovery. Originally published in the April 2018 edition of Referee Magazine. Read the full story here: referee.com/bobby-dibler-im-…

Poll: Have you ever witnessed a game administrator removing a fan without your request?

Best of luck and best wishes to all the outstanding MLB umpires selected to take charge of this year’s World Series starting tonight. Earning an assignment on baseball’s biggest stage is a tremendous accomplishment and a reflection of the hard work, dedication, preparation, and professionalism it takes to officiate at the highest level. To the entire crew, congratulations on your well-deserved honor!

Take your three-person officiating mechanics to the next level with The Complete Rotation—a practical guide to high school basketball officiating that breaks down the roles and responsibilities of the Lead, Center, and Trail. Grounded in NFHS rules and mechanics, this guide delivers clear, easy-to-follow instruction on positioning, coverage, and official responsibilities. Get your copy today! store.referee.com/products/h…

50 Voices for 50 Years – Chad Clark of Cliff Keen Officiating has been buying ad space in Referee for 27 years. He is candid about what advertisers are there to do, and about what his company wanted to be instead. Watch the Whole Video Here: youtube.com/watch?v=xeb5cgZN…

Referee Icons: One of the most celebrated officials in NBA history, Mendy Rudolph brought unmistakable style, command and mastery of the game to the court. Away from basketball, however, a gambling addiction and mounting debts complicated the life of an officiating legend who died at just 53. Originally published in the March 1993 edition of Referee Magazine. Read the full story here: referee.com/mendy-rudolph-nb…

The Southern California-based Orange County Football Officials Association (OCFOA) made history on October 1, 2026, when an all‑female officiating crew officiated a CIF‑Southern Section varsity tackle football game. The game between La Quinta and Santiago high schools marked the first time in Orange County’s history that a varsity contest was officiated entirely by women. The crew included: Referee Mary Margaret Montgomery, Umpire MaryAnn Menlove, Head Linesperson Kristi Wilson, Back Judge Sarita Stamps, and Line Judge Nina Berbiglia. Congratulations to all!

🏀 The 2026-27 NBA season tips off tonight. While the spotlight shines on the players and coaches, officials across the league are preparing for another season of split-second decisions, professionalism and excellence. Best of luck to all NBA officials this season. #NBA #SayYesToOfficiating #nbaofficials

Poll: Do you prefer your officiating publications (rule books, case books, mechanics manuals, etc.) in print or digital?

Congratulations to the men and women selected to officiate the 2026 WNBA Finals. Your dedication, preparation and excellence on the court have earned you a spot on basketball’s biggest stage. Well deserved! #WNBAFinals #Officiating

Attention High School Football Officials: MIBT’s 4th Annual High School Football Playoff Prep is this Sunday, October 18th, 7pm CT. Streaming LIVE and 100% FREE on YouTube: youtube.com/@MakeItBeThere Play discussions that will get you ready for the final weeks of the season and the playoffs to include: Quality Fouls Game Management Clock Management Penalty Enforcement

The NBA officiating roster has three new additions! 🏀 Nate Cearley, Brent Haskill and Chelisa Painter have been named to the NBA’s full-time officiating staff for the 2026-27 season. Congratulations! pr.nba.com/2026-27-nba-offic…

Poll: High school football officials, do you like the new NFHS 5-person freekick and scoring kick mechanics?

As we come to the end of the Fall Sports Officials Appreciation Week, we'd like to again thank our friends & partners at the NFHS for developing this wonderful recognition program, and also a huge THANK YOU to the men & women throughout the country officiating games this season. Keep up the great work!

As part of our 50th year celebrations, over the next several weeks, we're presenting 50 Reasons to Love Officiating (in no particular order). Download the entire list of 50 Reasons in poster form for free right here: referee.com/download/43328/?…

50 Voices for 50 Years – Fifty years ago there were always three or four copies of Referee Magazine stacked on his father's kitchen counter. Today NFL official Dino Paganelli gets three at his own house, because his two sons get it, too! Watch the Whole Video Here: youtube.com/watch?v=_LbcVPla…

Originally published in the January 2003 issue of Referee Magazine. Terminally ill former NFL official Vern Marshall arrived for one final high school football game. Waiting for him was a surprise from the officiating community he had devoted his life to. Read the full story here: referee.com/vern-marshall-on…