Officiating Recruitment Forums
These forums are designed to provide information for those interested in learning more about officiating.
Forums are held 3 times a year in July, November, and February.
We are seeking high school and college students, parents and sport enthusiasts across the state to join our ranks.
This virtual online event will provide an opportunity to hear from top officials who will share the benefits and steps to becoming an official.
There will be opportunities to ask questions about officiating and you will be provided with connections to associations and mentors who can get you started.
We are looking forward to seeing you at the Forum!
Agenda
Welcome
Getting Started: The First Steps: Tim Leighton
Officiating Voices:
- MSHSL Officials: TBA
Becoming an Official:
- MSHSL: Jason Nickleby
- MYAS: Tony Schrepfer
Technology Requirements:
The MSHSL Officiating Recruitment Forum will be held via Zoom.
- Learn more about being a Zoom participant here.
Presenters
Jason Nickleby is the MSHSL Coordinator of Officiating Services, a role he has held since 2015. As Director of the Officiating Program, Jason manages educational development and content delivery for approximately 6,300 contest officials and judges across 18 sports. Jason also guides and develops the framework of the selection process for 1,200 MSHSL state tournament officiating assignments. As an official, Jason was a 18-year member of Gopher State Officials Association and Northwest Umpires and he recently received his 20-year plaque for serving as a high school official in Minnesota. Jason has officiated MSHSL State Tournaments in football, volleyball, basketball and baseball with section tournament experience in track and softball. At the collegiate level, Jason has officiated football in the NSIC, Missouri Valley Football Conference, the Big Sky, the Mid-American, and currently, the Big Ten Conference. He continues to work college men’s basketball in the MIAC, UMAC, WIAC and the NSIC. Jason is an educator of 15 years having served as a K-12 physical education teacher prior to coming to work for the League.
Jason’s wife of 14 years, Erin, is a health, physical education and AVID teacher at Stillwater Area High School. Jason and Erin have four daughters, Johanna (10), twins, Kara(7) and Macy(7) and Blake(20 mo.)
Contact Information:
Phone: 763-392-5551
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @MSHSL_Officials
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30-year official
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MSHSL, WIAA, Division III and JUCO
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Soccer, basketball, baseball, fastpitch softball
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Minneapolis Officials Association, board member, past president
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MSHSL Clinician
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Communications Coordinator, MSHSL
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High School Today editorial board, representing high school officials nationwide
Contact Information:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 763-569-0485
Twitter: @MSHSLTim
Sports and athletics have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I raced competitive BMX for about six years and then got back into playing team sports. When I finally realized that my best playing days were behind me, I found my passion for becoming an official. I still wanted to be a part of the game and officiating gave me that avenue. I’ve been calling games for over 30 years now and am still currently active officiating in the sports of Basketball, Baseball, Soccer and Fast Pitch.
I accepted the duties and responsibilities of the MYAS Director of Officials with the ultimate goal of infusing excitement in becoming an official. Just as being a player has its certain demands, executing the role of an official brings with it its own challenges and rewards. With on-court training, proper mechanics and rules knowledge any official can go as far as they would like in this profession.
When I envision the future of officiating at the MYAS, I see a new generation of officials that not only want to give back to the game and still be an important part of it but also hone the craft of officiating and ascend the ranks. I'm very passionate about being an official and I want to change the perception of what being an official looks like and what it feels like. Right now, is a great time to start your officiating career and with our help here at the MYAS we'll help you achieve your goals!
Remember… I'm one of you. Officials working on behalf of officials!
Contact Information:
Phone: 763-746-1717
Email: [email protected]