Referee Magazine

Referee magazine, THE magazine of the Officiating Industry. Rules, mechanics, philosophy - for sports officials, by sports officials.

[Referee Magazine @RefereeMag]

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!

[Referee Magazine @RefereeMag]

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! https://t.co/jY37svOd5o

[Referee Magazine @RefereeMag]

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: https://t.co/QVieSGzJ4h

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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: https://t.co/xEINO2hGsD

[Referee Magazine @RefereeMag]

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!

[Referee Magazine @RefereeMag]

🏀 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

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

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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

[Referee Magazine @RefereeMag]

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: https://t.co/iCGT0YLon3

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

[Referee Magazine @RefereeMag]

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!

https://t.co/lVvfQ0J7cx

[Referee Magazine @RefereeMag]

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

[Referee Magazine @RefereeMag]

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!

[Referee Magazine @RefereeMag]

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: https://t.co/QOLWo4AOJ9

[Referee Magazine @RefereeMag]

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: https://t.co/JBCMU8ypp2

[Referee Magazine @RefereeMag]

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: https://t.co/nxWnOjD683

[Referee Magazine @RefereeMag]

Get Game-Ready for the 2026-27 basketball season with on-demand video training for High School Basketball Officials. Featuring: Expert-led video instruction, Latest rules & mechanics, Knowledge checks & quizzes, Extra video plays & analysis! https://t.co/XK6u7VBYrB

[Referee Magazine @RefereeMag]

There are more high school sports officials than at any other level, and we have them to thank for keeping our prep games fair and safe throughout the nation. Thank you to our good friends and partners at the NFHS for developing Officials Appreciation Week!

[Referee Magazine @RefereeMag]

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: https://t.co/QOLWo4AOJ9

[Referee Magazine @RefereeMag]

The best officials go unnoticed. Rob Wigod, who ran high school sports for Southern California, says that's exactly why Referee mattered: it's where officials finally got seen. Watch the Whole Video Here: https://t.co/lCPFokfrJd

[Referee Magazine @RefereeMag]

Soccer referee Ricardo Portillo died after being punched by a player during a recreational league game in Utah. His death became a national story and raised urgent questions about violence, sportsmanship and the safety of sports officials. Originally published in the August 2013 issue of Referee Magazine. Read the full story here: https://t.co/MucWSdv4YX