35. Wisconsin Combats the Referee Shortage

It’s getting more and more difficult to find and keep referees for youth sports. And without refs, kids can’t play. Today, we talk to two women who are at the center of Wisconsin's effort to recruit and retain these officials. They are Kate Peterson Abiad, assistant director of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association, and Ashley Ingish, a physical education and health teacher and head volleyball coach at Waterford High School. We talk about what’s behind this phenomenon and how an effort to train young officials in the classroom is one element of the WIAA’s plan to meet the challenge. Ashley will also be sharing what she’s learned at the State Education Convention. Look for her booth in the Exhibit Hall’s School Fair.