B2B Adding to the Officiating Ranks

Mike Pereira, Fox Sports football rules analyst and former NFL vice president of officiating, founded Battlefields to Ballfields (B2B) in 2016 not only to replenish the officiating ranks, but to help veterans get integrated back into their community.

Andrew Buczek, a 35-yearold high school football official from Charleston, S.C., is a walking advertisement for B2B.

“It’s having a sense of pride. Like being part of something bigger than myself,” Buczek, who served in the Marine Corps from 2016-21, said. As with his military training, officiating provides ‘”discipline and a sense of belonging,” he said.

B2B provides scholarships to veterans who return from defending our country. Dozens of officials have entered the officiating ranks in a number of sports. Some have even climbed the ladder into collegiate officiating.

B2B, through its partnership with NASO, provides each scholarship recipient in this partnership with an NASO membership, vital insurance coverages, educational materials and Referee magazine each month.

Buczek, formerly from Buffalo, N.Y., was a high school football player and joined the Marines shortly after graduating. He served two tours and, after his commitment ended, continued his education. He played two years of football at a junior college and two more at an NCAA Division III school.

“I got into coaching but with a wife and three kids it took up too much time,” he said. “I was watching an NFL game and saw an advertisement from Mike about B2B.”

Buczek has benefitted from NASO training materials, onfield experience and tips and guidance from veteran officials. So much so the South Carolina Football Officials Association named him its rookie of the year for 2022.

NASO membership has been a benefit, he said. “The information that’s out there from other officials, the tips and tricks that help you become a better official.”

In December, Dana Pappas, director of officiating services for the NFHS and NASO board chair, was added to the B2B board of directors.

“Battlefields to Ballfields is an amazing program that provides the opportunity for men and women who are serving or who have served our country to continue their passion for service to others as sports officials,” Pappas said. “B2B is a great way to attract new officials into the avocation and the structure of B2B allows for strong retention because they are being mentored by other military veterans or active military who also officiate.”

For more information on B2B, log on to battlefields2ballfields.org. 

The 2023 Sports Officiating Summit will be in Southern California this year and theme is all about sportsmanship. You won’t want to miss the cutting edge discussion focused on real solutions. What is the officials role? How does poor sporting behavior impact our games? How does it impact our industry? Survey after survey confirms that sportsmanship issues are at the heart of the critical officiating shortage in our nation.