Why is central Pennsylvania facing a referee shortage?

From tackles to touchdowns, referees work to keep a close eye on the field and players.

As the first night of high school football kicks off in central Pennsylvania, there’s a shortage of officials.

In Cumberland County, Mark Correll watched over Friday’s game between Big Spring and Biglerville.

“The love of the game, it keeps you around the game. I played it my whole life in high school, coached it,” Correll, a PIAA football official, said.

He’s been refereeing for 25 years.

“The fans can be really brutal,” Correll said.

The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association put out a release, saying in part, “...this year we have seen fan abuse of coaches, officials, players and school administrators. We are seeing a critical shortage of sports officials because of these abuses.”

“We’ve had officials that have been followed to their cars, yelled at the whole time. More of the verbal yelling. And when you’re working the little kids on the weekends, sometimes those parents and fans are right there, right with you,” Correll said.

Mary Roberds, who watched her son play for the Big Spring football team Friday, admits to voicing her frustration toward the referees.

“That’s part of the game, unfortunately. The refs gotta get a little thicker skin, maybe, because it’s an important job and we do need them,” Roberds said.

If you want to help fill open referee spots, which are available for all sports, CLICK HERE.