The upcoming high school football season in West Texas is being threatened by a stark shortage of officials, with the South Plains chapter reporting only 160 to 165 certified referees left, down from more than 200 just a year ago.
A Season in Peril
Tommie Riley, president of the South Plains Chapter of the Texas Association of Sports Officials, warned that the dwindling pool could force schools to cancel games or shift contests to Thursday nights, jeopardizing tradition and revenue.
Scheduling headaches are already evident; on September 11 alone, 37 varsity matchups are slated, but there are not enough officials to cover them all, prompting the chapter to consider unconventional adjustments.
Recruiting the Next Generation
To address the crisis, the chapter will hold a recruitment meeting on Monday at 6:30 p.m. in the cafeteria of Lubbock Cooper Middle School, where seasoned referees will mentor newcomers and outline pathways into junior varsity and junior high games.
New officials will receive compensation for their time and the chance to network with experienced peers, a modest but meaningful incentive as the community rallies to preserve the sport.
How to Get Involved
Those interested can learn more online at spczebras.org or reach out via the listed email addresses, including Tommie Riley’s personal contact.