Referee shortage hinders athletics in northeastern and central Nevada

The Eureka County High School Lady Vandal volleyball team was recently scheduled to play the Jaguars in Jackpot, Nevada. The game was canceled due to a lack of referees able to travel to Jackpot to officiate the game. And two weeks ago, during the Battle Mountain Volleyball Invitational in which the Lady Vandals participated, the officials addressed the crowd, asking if anyone was interested in signing up to be a referee for the Central Nevada Sports Officials (CNSO) and the Northeast Nevada Officials Association (NENOA). What is causing the shortage of sports officials in rural northeastern and central Nevada?

Roger Morones Jr. moved to Round Mountain, Nevada, when he was in eighth grade. He graduated from Tonopah High School in 1989 and is no stranger to rural Nevada sports, having played baseball and basketball during his time in school. For the past nine years, Morones Jr. has been traveling the lonely roads of rural Nevada, wearing a different hat than that of an athlete. He has been officiating football, volleyball, baseball and basketball at many small, rural Nevada schools. 

In regard to the lack of sports officials, Morones Jr. said, “When I got started, it was important to get involved and I did so for the student athletes. After all, it’s about them. There used to be a level of respect for officials when I played. Over the years I’ve seen the respect for these officials deteriorate…Games are getting more competitive and sportsmanship seems to be taking a hit. Getting on the court or the field has now become somewhat of a hostile working environment, and when young adults see this, it makes recruitment very difficult. Trust me, we don’t do it for the pay. Most officials do it for the love of the game.”

Morones Jr. himself has been threatened by a parent, pushed by kids and flat out harassed while officiating. He has even had to eject a parent from a game for unsportsmanlike behavior. All of these factors, he said, contribute to “the big lack of interest to become an official.” He said he doesn’t take any of it personally, but it sets the wrong example. “We have some awesome refs and fans in the central and rural schools. I’ve always felt welcomed. The camaraderie and friendship amongst the officials I’ve worked with is amazing!” 

Adding to the general lack of interest, the average age of an official is 55. “There’s not an influx of young officials,” Morones Jr. said. 

During the Battle Mountain Volleyball Invitational, the same two or three referees officiated every single volleyball match Friday and Saturday from eight in the morning until six in the evening. Anyone who has ever been to a volleyball tournament would agree the days are long as a spectator, and much more so as an official who is calling three to five sets per match, with minimal breaks in between each. 

The student athlete/referee relationship is also a vital part of any sports event. That relationship sets the vibe for the game before it even starts.  

Morones Jr. has always been a familiar face at volleyball matches across rural Nevada. Natalie Gray, senior setter for the Lady Vandals, said, “Roger is one of the best refs. I think that some athletes take refs like him for granted. They don’t appreciate them as much as they should…Although he knows quite a lot of people from every town, he calls each and every game fairly. I’m truly grateful for Roger and for all of the refs who put their time and effort into our high school games.”

School has been in session at Eureka County High School for almost one month now, but the Lady Vandal volleyball team has yet to play a single league game. They usually have a few under their belt by this time in their regular season. They are scheduled to travel to Carlin to play the Railroaders on Friday, Sept. 13, followed by games against the Braves in Owyhee on Saturday, Sept. 14. The Eureka Vandal football team also has a game in Owyhee on Saturday afternoon. Referees like Morones Jr. would officiate every one of these games if they could, but it takes time away from their own families and schedules to ensure the game goes on for student athletes.

Parents should thank them after a game and afford the referees the grace they are expected to have for the athletes. 

“Just treat officials as human beings,” said Morones Jr. “We just might see their numbers increase if we simply do this.”