High School Ref
Claim This Podcastby Ben Strunk
Podcast Overview
<p>What’s it really like to be a high school referee?<br /></p><p><b>High School Ref</b> is a podcast and YouTube show dedicated to sharing the real experiences of high school officials — the good games, the tough nights, and everything that happens before and after the whistle.<br /></p><p>This show brings locker-room and post-game conversations into the open. We talk through real situations, rule applications, game management, and the challenges officials face on and off the court or field. You’ll hear from officials across the country with different levels of experience, working in different environments, sharing what they’ve learned along the way.</p><p></p><p>We also advocate for officials by talking honestly about issues impacting high school officiating today — including pay, game security, administrative support, and retention — all with the goal of helping officials feel more prepared, more confident, and more supported.</p><p>Whether you’re a new official, a veteran ref, or just curious about how officiating really works, this show gives you the game from our side of the whistle.</p><p></p><p><b>New episodes drop regularly.</b><br />Subscribe and join the conversation.</p>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
2/1/2026
1 verified contact email on file for High School Ref
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Recent Episodes
May 29, 2026
Episode 7: How to Navigate the High School Ranks as a Young Official with Brenden Black
<p>Brenden Black picked up a whistle in college officiating intramural sports at NC State — and never put it down. Now six years into his high school career working basketball and football, Brenden shares what that journey actually looked like: from campus rec games to varsity sidelines, and everything that humbled him along the way.<br /></p><p>This episode gets honest about one of the bigger problems facing high school officiating — why young people aren't joining, and why the ones who do often don't stick around. Brenden talks about the crew dynamic between younger and veteran officials, what makes it work when it does, and what gets in the way when it doesn't.<br /></p><p>If you've ever wondered why the officiating shortage keeps getting worse, this conversation is a good place to start.</p>
April 8, 2026
Episode 6: What Officials Expect from the Next NCHSAA Commissioner with Steve Schwartz
<p>What do high school officials really need from leadership?<br /><br />In this episode of The High School Ref Show, we sit down with Steve Schwartz to talk about expectations for the next commissioner of the NCHSAA and what this transition means for officials across North Carolina.<br /><br />This conversation goes beyond the headlines and into the real experiences of officials — what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to change moving forward.<br /><br />We discuss:<br />- What officials are looking for in new leadership<br />- The current challenges facing high school officiating<br />- The importance of communication and support<br />- What it will take to improve retention and recruitment<br />- How the next commissioner can impact the future of officiating in North Carolina<br /><br />This is the kind of conversation happening among officials behind the scenes — and we’re bringing it out into the open.<br /><br />If you’re an official, assigner, coach, or administrator, this episode gives you a perspective you won’t hear anywhere else.</p>
April 1, 2026
Episode 5: Sharing a Special Game Assignment with Scott Graham
<p>Some games mean more than just the final score.</p><p></p><p>In this powerful episode, we sit down with <b>Scott Graham</b> to share the story of a truly unforgettable assignment — officiating a game played on a court dedicated to his father, Danny Graham, a longtime high school girls basketball coach at Lumberton High School who passed away last year.</p><p></p><p>This episode goes beyond officiating — it’s about carrying on a legacy and finding purpose in the moments that matter most.</p>
8 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is High School Ref?
<p>What’s it really like to be a high school referee?<br /></p><p><b>High School Ref</b> is a podcast and YouTube show dedicated to sharing the real experiences of high school officials — the good games, the tough nights, and everything that happens before and after the whistle.<br /></p><p>This show brings locker-room and post-game conversations into the open. We talk through real situations, rule applications, game management, and the challenges officials face on and off the court or field. You’ll hear from officials across the country with different levels of experience, working in different environments, sharing what they’ve learned along the way.</p><p></p><p>We also advocate for officials by talking honestly about issues impacting high school officiating today — including pay, game security, administrative support, and retention — all with the goal of helping officials feel more prepared, more confident, and more supported.</p><p>Whether you’re a new official, a veteran ref, or just curious about how officiating really works, this show gives you the game from our side of the whistle.</p><p></p><p><b>New episodes drop regularly.</b><br />Subscribe and join the conversation.</p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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