<![CDATA[High School Ref]]>What’s it really like to be a high school referee?

High School Ref is a podcast and YouTube show dedicated to sharing the real experiences of high school officials — the good games, the tough nights, and everything that happens before and after the whistle.

This show brings locker-room and post-game conversations into the open. We talk through real situations, rule applications, game management, and the challenges officials face on and off the court or field. You’ll hear from officials across the country with different levels of experience, working in different environments, sharing what they’ve learned along the way.

We also advocate for officials by talking honestly about issues impacting high school officiating today — including pay, game security, administrative support, and retention — all with the goal of helping officials feel more prepared, more confident, and more supported.

Whether you’re a new official, a veteran ref, or just curious about how officiating really works, this show gives you the game from our side of the whistle.

New episodes drop regularly.
Subscribe and join the conversation.

]]>highschoolref.comRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:30:10 GMTSun, 01 Feb 2026 00:40:25 GMT60Ben Strunk<p>What’s it really like to be a high school referee?<br /></p><p><b>High School Ref</b> is a podcast and YouTube show dedicated to sharing the real experiences of high school officials — the good games, the tough nights, and everything that happens before and after the whistle.<br /></p><p>This show brings locker-room and post-game conversations into the open. We talk through real situations, rule applications, game management, and the challenges officials face on and off the court or field. You’ll hear from officials across the country with different levels of experience, working in different environments, sharing what they’ve learned along the way.</p><p></p><p>We also advocate for officials by talking honestly about issues impacting high school officiating today — including pay, game security, administrative support, and retention — all with the goal of helping officials feel more prepared, more confident, and more supported.</p><p>Whether you’re a new official, a veteran ref, or just curious about how officiating really works, this show gives you the game from our side of the whistle.</p><p></p><p><b>New episodes drop regularly.</b><br />Subscribe and join the conversation.</p>episodicBen Strunktriangletreasurehunt@gmail.comno<![CDATA[Episode 7: How to Navigate the High School Ranks as a Young Official with Brenden Black]]>Brenden Black picked up a whistle in college officiating intramural sports at NC State — and never put it down. Now six years into his high school career working basketball and football, Brenden shares what that journey actually looked like: from campus rec games to varsity sidelines, and everything that humbled him along the way.

This episode gets honest about one of the bigger problems facing high school officiating — why young people aren't joining, and why the ones who do often don't stick around. Brenden talks about the crew dynamic between younger and veteran officials, what makes it work when it does, and what gets in the way when it doesn't.

If you've ever wondered why the officiating shortage keeps getting worse, this conversation is a good place to start.

]]>5e31e5bc-f20d-4b62-95e6-918d49dcd3cdFri, 29 May 2026 16:00:00 GMT<p>Brenden Black picked up a whistle in college officiating intramural sports at NC State — and never put it down. Now six years into his high school career working basketball and football, Brenden shares what that journey actually looked like: from campus rec games to varsity sidelines, and everything that humbled him along the way.<br /></p><p>This episode gets honest about one of the bigger problems facing high school officiating — why young people aren't joining, and why the ones who do often don't stick around. Brenden talks about the crew dynamic between younger and veteran officials, what makes it work when it does, and what gets in the way when it doesn't.<br /></p><p>If you've ever wondered why the officiating shortage keeps getting worse, this conversation is a good place to start.</p>no01:03:2117Episode 7: How to Navigate the High School Ranks as a Young Official with Brenden Blackfull<![CDATA[Episode 6: What Officials Expect from the Next NCHSAA Commissioner with Steve Schwartz]]>What do high school officials really need from leadership?

In this episode of The High School Ref Show, we sit down with Steve Schwartz to talk about expectations for the next commissioner of the NCHSAA and what this transition means for officials across North Carolina.

This conversation goes beyond the headlines and into the real experiences of officials — what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to change moving forward.

We discuss:
- What officials are looking for in new leadership
- The current challenges facing high school officiating
- The importance of communication and support
- What it will take to improve retention and recruitment
- How the next commissioner can impact the future of officiating in North Carolina

This is the kind of conversation happening among officials behind the scenes — and we’re bringing it out into the open.

If you’re an official, assigner, coach, or administrator, this episode gives you a perspective you won’t hear anywhere else.

]]>819ed5c0-5855-4016-8534-6529fcb043c2Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT<p>What do high school officials really need from leadership?<br /><br />In this episode of The High School Ref Show, we sit down with Steve Schwartz to talk about expectations for the next commissioner of the NCHSAA and what this transition means for officials across North Carolina.<br /><br />This conversation goes beyond the headlines and into the real experiences of officials — what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to change moving forward.<br /><br />We discuss:<br />- What officials are looking for in new leadership<br />- The current challenges facing high school officiating<br />- The importance of communication and support<br />- What it will take to improve retention and recruitment<br />- How the next commissioner can impact the future of officiating in North Carolina<br /><br />This is the kind of conversation happening among officials behind the scenes — and we’re bringing it out into the open.<br /><br />If you’re an official, assigner, coach, or administrator, this episode gives you a perspective you won’t hear anywhere else.</p>no00:58:2816Episode 6: What Officials Expect from the Next NCHSAA Commissioner with Steve Schwartzfull<![CDATA[Episode 5: Sharing a Special Game Assignment with Scott Graham]]>Some games mean more than just the final score.

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Scott Graham to share the story of a truly unforgettable assignment — officiating a game played on a court dedicated to his father, Danny Graham, a longtime high school girls basketball coach at Lumberton High School who passed away last year.

This episode goes beyond officiating — it’s about carrying on a legacy and finding purpose in the moments that matter most.

]]>3cf4b271-477c-42c0-ae1f-044a8de073d4Wed, 01 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT<p>Some games mean more than just the final score.</p><p></p><p>In this powerful episode, we sit down with <b>Scott Graham</b> to share the story of a truly unforgettable assignment — officiating a game played on a court dedicated to his father, Danny Graham, a longtime high school girls basketball coach at Lumberton High School who passed away last year.</p><p></p><p>This episode goes beyond officiating — it’s about carrying on a legacy and finding purpose in the moments that matter most.</p>no00:56:5315Episode 5: Sharing a Special Game Assignment with Scott Grahamfull<![CDATA[Episode 4: Talking Flag Football Officiating with DJ Doss]]>Flag Football is sweeping the nation as high schools and colleges add varsity teams. On this week's episode, DJ Doss joins the show to talk about flag football officiating, the high school landscape in Georgia, and his 10+ years of officiating at many levels.

]]>fbc263db-b3bb-45c7-aa38-6cb43561bd3eWed, 25 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT<p>Flag Football is sweeping the nation as high schools and colleges add varsity teams. On this week's episode, DJ Doss joins the show to talk about flag football officiating, the high school landscape in Georgia, and his 10+ years of officiating at many levels. </p>no01:11:3914Episode 4: Talking Flag Football Officiating with DJ Dossfull<![CDATA[Episode 3: 46 Years of Basketball Officiating Wisdom with Randy Lockhart]]>The interview with Randy Lockhart on the High School Ref Show covers his 46 years of basketball officiating experience, the challenges of balancing officiating with a full-time job, and the evolution of officiating rules and practices over the years. The conversation covers the differences between IAABO and NFHS officiating, the training and support provided to officials, the pay structure, the challenges of aging in officiating, and the recruitment of younger officials. Randy Lockhart emphasizes the importance of staying in shape, knowing the rules, and evolving with the times. He also highlights the need for good assigners and the positive aspects of officiating.

]]>768d1f63-64b1-4c0d-ae42-9af485916f34Wed, 18 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT<p>The interview with Randy Lockhart on the High School Ref Show covers his 46 years of basketball officiating experience, the challenges of balancing officiating with a full-time job, and the evolution of officiating rules and practices over the years. The conversation covers the differences between IAABO and NFHS officiating, the training and support provided to officials, the pay structure, the challenges of aging in officiating, and the recruitment of younger officials. Randy Lockhart emphasizes the importance of staying in shape, knowing the rules, and evolving with the times. He also highlights the need for good assigners and the positive aspects of officiating.</p>no01:06:3113Episode 3: 46 Years of Basketball Officiating Wisdom with Randy Lockhartfull<![CDATA[Episode 2: Connecting Intramural Sports to High School Officiating]]>Scott Flickinger joins the show on Episode 2 to discuss his 25+ years as a high school basketball official and his career developing student intramural sports officials at multiple campus recreation departments in the Northeast.

The conversation includes the following topics:

* Intramural sports
* NIRSA Regional and National Championships
* Link between intramural officials and high school officiating
* Current high school basketball officiating landscape in New York

]]>3ec5d278-a2e1-4879-9f06-2dfbb7c2493dWed, 11 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT<p>Scott Flickinger joins the show on Episode 2 to discuss his 25+ years as a high school basketball official and his career developing student intramural sports officials at multiple campus recreation departments in the Northeast.<br /><br />The conversation includes the following topics:<br /><br />* Intramural sports<br />* NIRSA Regional and National Championships<br />* Link between intramural officials and high school officiating<br />* Current high school basketball officiating landscape in New York</p>no00:48:0512Episode 2: Connecting Intramural Sports to High School Officiatingfull<![CDATA[Episode 1: Why North Carolina Officials Need A Voice with Steve Schwartz]]>On Episode 1, the conversation with Steve Schwartz shares stories about his 37-year officiating journey and tells us why so many basketball officials chose to attend his local clinics. As the most vocal spokesman for high school officials in the state, Steve discusses the current frustrations with the relationship between officials and the North Carolina High School Athletic Association.

Takeaways:

  • Importance of relationships in officiating
  • Keys to success in leading local officiating clinics
  • Challenges in the current landscape high school officiating
  • Impact that speaking up can have on the future of high school officiating

Links:
The results and recommendations from the 2022 survey of North Carolina high school officials can be found here.

]]>73516e5b-8674-4deb-bbee-74c40fb5d603Mon, 02 Mar 2026 11:00:00 GMT<p>On Episode 1, the conversation with Steve Schwartz shares stories about his 37-year officiating journey and tells us why so many basketball officials chose to attend his local clinics. As the most vocal spokesman for high school officials in the state, Steve discusses the current frustrations with the relationship between officials and the North Carolina High School Athletic Association.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways:</p><ul><li>Importance of relationships in officiating</li><li>Keys to success in leading local officiating clinics</li><li>Challenges in the current landscape high school officiating</li><li>Impact that speaking up can have on the future of high school officiating</li></ul><p></p><p>Links:<br />The results and recommendations from the 2022 survey of North Carolina high school officials can be found <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/10zEYaokJVdVJ8HQRYce_cn8FSJ8izJQ7/view" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>no01:06:261Episode 1: Why North Carolina Officials Need A Voice with Steve Schwartzfull<![CDATA[Show Introduction]]>What’s it really like to be a high school referee?

The High School Ref Show is a podcast and YouTube show dedicated to sharing the real experiences of high school officials — the good games, the tough nights, and everything that happens before and after the whistle.

This show brings locker-room and post-game conversations into the open. We talk through real situations, rule applications, game management, and the challenges officials face on and off the court or field. You’ll hear from officials across the country with different levels of experience, working in different environments, sharing what they’ve learned along the way.

We also advocate for officials by talking honestly about issues impacting high school officiating today — including pay, game security, administrative support, and retention — all with the goal of helping officials feel more prepared, more confident, and more supported.

Whether you’re a new official, a veteran ref, or just curious about how officiating really works, this show gives you the game from our side of the whistle.

New episodes drop regularly.
Subscribe and join the conversation.

]]>52eb9474-3723-4f7e-a307-a36b49772bafSun, 01 Feb 2026 00:41:36 GMT<p>What’s it really like to be a high school referee?<br /><br />The High School Ref Show is a podcast and YouTube show dedicated to sharing the real experiences of high school officials — the good games, the tough nights, and everything that happens before and after the whistle.<br /><br />This show brings locker-room and post-game conversations into the open. We talk through real situations, rule applications, game management, and the challenges officials face on and off the court or field. You’ll hear from officials across the country with different levels of experience, working in different environments, sharing what they’ve learned along the way.<br /><br />We also advocate for officials by talking honestly about issues impacting high school officiating today — including pay, game security, administrative support, and retention — all with the goal of helping officials feel more prepared, more confident, and more supported.<br /><br />Whether you’re a new official, a veteran ref, or just curious about how officiating really works, this show gives you the game from our side of the whistle.<br /><br />New episodes drop regularly.<br />Subscribe and join the conversation.</p>no00:13:15Show Introductionfull