Finding officiants for City High athletics has just gotten easier.

“If we don’t have officials, we can’t have games. This class is a way to get students involved, build confidence, and even open doors for future opportunities,” Cory Connell said.

Connell is very familiar with the sports world. He has coached wrestling, baseball, and soccer, and has even officiated wrestling matches himself. These experiences showed him how essential officials are in sports.

“I work with officials all the time, and I know how important they are,” Connell said.

This class is part of a new program called Ref Reps, which brings officiating to schools. It helps students see sports through an officiate’s lens and develop real life skills they can carry on forever anywhere in life.

“Officating teaches you confidence , leadership, professionalism, patience, and how to deal with people respectfully,” Connell said. “Those are skills you’ll use long after the game is over.”

The class shows students a new perspective on their sport as well as teaching general life skills.

“This class helps students understand the game from a completely different perspective. Connell explained. “They not only learn the rules, but also the ability to assert themselves.”

With his past hands-on experience officiating, Connell knows the opportunities and doors can be opened through officiating.

“In some sports students can work just one weekend and make several hundred dollars,” Connell said. “For high school students, that’s a huge opportunity to earn money and stay connected to the sport you love.”