Riverside Summit Program To Focus on Sportsmanship

After a successful trip to Westminster, Colo., last year, the NASO Sports Officiating Summit heads farther west to Riverside, Calif. The event will take place July 30-Aug. 1 and will bring together some of the brightest minds in the officiating industry.

This year’s theme, “Good Sports, Bad Sports, Better Sports Through Officiating,” focuses on sportsmanship and all that it encompasses.

“We are excited to be returning to California and tackling this important issue,” said Bill Topp, REI chief operating officer and executive director. “That area is rich with talent and we look forward to hearing the thoughts and insights of a number of leaders on how we can deal with the issues we are currently facing.”

One of the highlights of the Summit will be “The Results Are In: The 2023 National Officiating Survey Powered by Referee.com.” This session will reveal what the officiating industry had to say about a number of topics and is a follow-up to the 2017 national survey. With more than 35,000 respondents to the survey, this session will be both entertaining and enlightening.

Other sessions scheduled for the 2023 Summit include:

Sports is life with the volume turned up — If you agree the title above is true, that then becomes the basis of hammering out an understanding of today’s officiating environment. Not a particularly pretty sight! It has never been more challenging to navigate the behavioral waters that each athletic contest presents to officials. This session focuses hard on those very things. too few of us — No two ways about it: More officials are needed! Finally, a strategic approach to this topic, going well beyond the usual conversations about sportsmanship and the lingering effects of the pandemic. 2023 National Officiating Survey data will detail what other factors play an outsized role in the current world: unrealistic barriers to entry, onerous requirements, weak and nonexistent mentoring, woeful lack of organizational support from within the officiating community. Hard discussions to be had. Strategic thinking required. Time for action. how we make things worse innovation by invitation—

— Let’s start with this: “What is permitted, is promoted.” As officials we most often must draw hard lines. We are in the enforcement division. Sport relies on us to ensure the game is played by the rules, while emphasizing fairness and safety. Seems, though, there are times when we ourselves do not measure up to that challenge. Then there are the assigners, the local officials associations, the trainers and the administrators who collectively sometimes make things worse. This session is one of introspection.

Fast-paced and fact-based on the main stage. Speakers introduce, enlighten and communicate what is key about the product/ service they have brought to market. Each one has made, is making or might make an important contribution to the officiating industry. One of the Summit’s most unique sessions. Think of it as a “Shark Tank” for officiating. Entrepreneurs detail their dreams.

Referee Voices — The concept is simple: speakers under the lights, each telling a story, giving an insight, sharing a moment — each that will help you reflect, think deeply and reconnect to what is important in officiating. Dramatic and sometimes heartrending. Not to be missed and only presented at the NASO Summit. Referee Voices will put words in your mouth.

One of the main attractions of the 2023 NASO Summit will be the Officiating Industry Luncheon, which will feature words from NFHS leadership and NASO leadership on the state of the industry.

The Summit will also feature sport breakout sessions, to allow attendees to immerse themselves in sport-specific training, and workshops that will focus on sportsmanship issues.

The Summit will wrap up with the Celebrate Officiating Gala, which will recognize this year’s Gold Whistle Award and Mel Narol Medallion Award recipients.

To register for this year’s NASO Summit, go to sportsofficiatingsummit.com. 