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Officiating Recruitment Forum


Officiating Recruitment Forums are held 3 times a year.  

These forums are designed to provide information for those interested in learning more about officiating.  

Forums are held in July, October, and February. 


 

Officiating Forum

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: Craig Ehrlichman, Roger Artis III

Becoming an Official:

  • MSHSL: Jason Nickleby 
  • MYAS: Carolyn Derksen, Tony Schrepfer

 


Technology Requirements: 

The MSHSL Officiating Recruitment Forum will be held via Zoom.  


Presenters

Jason Nickleby
Jason Nickleby
MSHSL Assistant Director

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

Tim Leighton
Tim Leighton
Official and MSHSL Communications Coordinator
  • 30-year official

  • MSHSL, WIAA, Division III and JUCO

  • Soccer, basketball, baseball, fastpitch softball

  • Minneapolis Officials Association, board member, past president

  • MSHSL Clinician

  • Communications Coordinator, MSHSL

  • High School Today editorial board, representing high school officials nationwide

Contact Information: 

Email:  [email protected]

Phone: 763-569-0485

Twitter: @MSHSLTim

Tony Schrepfer
Tony Schrepfer
MYAS Director of Officials 

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]

Carolyn Derksen
Carolyn Derksen
MYAS -Assistant Director of Officiating/Administration

Hello! My name is Carolyn Derksen. I was born and raised in Maple Grove, MN. I graduated from Maple Grove Senior High and the University of Wisconsin - River Falls, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications Studies. I received my Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and being an aunt to my niece Elle and my nephews Wendell and Brooks. I am a huge sports fan, especially basketball and football.  

My officiating journey began when I was a junior in college working in the intramural program at UW-River Falls. I have always loved the game of basketball and I knew I wanted to be around the game in some way after my playing days were over. During my senior year of college, I served as a student manager for the women’s basketball team. My intention for serving in the role of student manager was to help me ease into coaching. After I graduated from college, a family friend who was an official informed me of a shortage of officials and encouraged me to consider giving it a try.  I planned to officiate for one year and then move into coaching. After completing my first year of officiating, I was hooked and have never looked back. I am currently officiating high school and women’s college basketball, and high school football. 

I am so excited and ready to get to work as the MYAS Assistant Director of Officiating/ Administration.  I feel that my enthusiasm and passion for officiating will benefit me in this role. I want to get people excited about becoming an official and learn the rewarding benefits that come along with it. Many people do not consider officiating for a variety of reasons. But without officials, there are no games. I want to change people's negative perceptions of becoming an official and relay the fun and good friendships that can be built along the way. 

The MYAS intends to establish relationships with the different youth athletic associations in Minnesota by providing the best services that we can for youth sports officials. I am extremely passionate about guiding youth officials on their journey, which will look different for just about anyone that enters this avocation. Every official will have different goals and aspirations in their officiating career. We want to lay the foundation by providing our officials with the proper training and education. 

Those training and continuing education opportunities include developing communication skills, rules of the game, and proper mechanics, that will get officials prepared to hit the courts and the fields. The MYAS Director of Officiating and I want to be able to provide continuous education to new and current officials as a way for them to improve their craft.  Our training will include in-person/virtual/online formats as a resource for officials to utilize. Our main goal is to provide the tools for excellence along with a rewarding and enjoyable experience.  

Contact Information: 

Phone:763-746-1715  

Email:  [email protected]

Craig Ehrlichman Head Shot
Craig Ehrlichman
MSHSL Official

Football

· NSIC Football 2015-Current

· St. Cloud Officials Association

· 2011- Current Varsity Football

· 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022 Minnesota State Tournament

· 2013 & 2018 Minnesota Prep Bowl Championship

· 2012, 2013, 2014 MCAC Football

· 2012, 2013, 2014 MCAC Playoffs

· 2013 MCAC State Championship

Basketball

· St. Cloud Officials Association

· 2011- Current Varsity Basketball

· 2012- Current MCAC Basketball

· 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023 JUCO Regional Tournament

· 2020 JUCO National Tournament

· 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 Varsity Basketball Playoffs

· 2014, 2015, 2020 Section 5AA Championship

· 2017, 2018 Section 6AA Championship

· 2022, 2023, Section 8AAAA Championship

· 2019, 2021, 2022 MSHSL State Tournament

· 2014-15 UMAC Women’s Basketball

· 2015- Current NCAA (UMAC/MIAC) Men's Basketball

Baseball

· St. Cloud Officials Association

· Central Minnesota Umpires Association

· Northwest Umpires Association (College Group)

· 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023 High School Playoffs

· 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023 MSHSL State Tournament

· 2016 & 2018 MSHSL AAAA State Championship

· 2023 MSHSL AAA State Championship

· 2013, 2014, 2019, 2021 Minnesota Legion Baseball State Tournament

· 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 Minnesota Amateur Baseball State Tournament

· 2020, 2021, 2023, Minnesota Amateur Baseball Championship

· 2014, 2015 NSIC, MIAC, UMAC, MCAC baseball

· 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023 MCAC Regional Tournament

· 2015 UMAC Conference Baseball Tournament

Roy Artis Headshot
Roger Artis III
MSHSL Official

Hi, I am Roger Artis III, but friends know me as Roy. I grew up in Lawnside, New Jersey. I went to Haddon Heights high school and graduated in 1977. I was an athlete through high school and was named All State for both Football and Track and Field.

I went to The University of Minnesota on a Football Scholarship and earned a Bachelor of General Studies Degree. (1977 – 1982) . I lettered all four years while at the U of M in Football and one-year inTrack and Field.

I have been married to my wife Kristin since 1987. We live in Brooklyn Park. We have two adult children, ages 28 and 26, 5 grandchildren and a dog.

I currently work for Hennepin County as a probation officer. I have held this job for 36 years and am looking forward to my retirement in June.

I have been officiating for many years. I started with flag football at the U of M in 1982. I’ve officiated for the MSHSL for 25+ years in Football and 8 years in Track and Field. I was a football official for Junior Colleges and the MIAC conference for over 20 years.

I have been an NFL play clock operator and run the clock for the MN Vikings for the past Five years.

In my free time you can find me fishing and relaxing at my cabin in Birchwood Wisconsin.