OHSAA Winter Sports Officials Appreciation Week

Referees are never perfect. Neither are coaches, players and fans.

January 12th-18th is Winter Sports Officials Appreciation Week as recognized by The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA). The designation is part of the OHSAA’s Respect the Game program, which encourages sportsmanship among student-athletes, coaches, officials and spectators. “Officiating is both a service and a commitment, and we appreciate each individual in our state who serves as a contest official,” said OHSAA Director of Officiating Beau Rugg. The OHSAA has also encouraged member schools to read the following script before home contests this week and to promote on social media accounts.

At Fish Report we echo those sentiments and this school year more than ever. As press row broadcasters for all Russia home basketball games this winter, our announcers typically get fist bumps from each referee shortly before tip off. Similar to the fist bumps and handshakes between officials and opposing teams during player introductions. The unsolicited respect from OHSAA officials for our Fish Report team is appreciated and mutual. They certainly understand we won't agree on every call over four quarters, but we're all there for the same reason. Because we love the game!

Here's the top three Fish Report facts about referees we've confirmed after 21 years of covering high school sports and hundreds of contests:

• The winner of any game has NEVER decided by a referee.
• Referees know the rules BETTER than the media, fans, players and coaches.
• Fans that yell at referees ALWAYS look dumb.

Thanks OHSAA officials for all you do. We couldn't play high school sports without you.

Without sports officials, it’s just recess.