Minnesota youth sports officials hope to inspire teens and young adults to fill referee vacancies popping up across the state.
"We want to recruit a lot more so we're targeting more high school students to try and get them more involved with it," said Minnesota Youth Athletic Services Assistant Director of Officiating, Carolyn Derksen. "It's a way to make some great money, but also learn a different perspective of the game."
Derksen hopes that her own journey as a referee inspires others to one day join her on the basketball court or football field.
As a college student at University of Wisconsin River Falls, Derksen officiated intramurals after choosing not to play college basketball following her freshman year.
"I really wanted to get into coaching. Basketball's been a big part of my life and I wanted to stay in the game," Derksen said.
Derksen moved home after her senior year which she spent as a student-manager of the women's basketball team. She returned home after her senior year and a next door neighbor, who is an official, encouraged her to try it out as well.
"What really peaked my interest to stay in it was my first year there was a sophomore game where I screwed up terribly during the game," she said. "Terrible game management and I didn't watch the clock. It was the only time I felt like a coach was going to meet me in the parking lot, but he didn't. From there I knew I wanted to keep going on."
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Derksen recently completed her seventh year a basketball official. Back in 2020, she also picked up refereeing high school football.
"I've been fortunate in my career that it's being going well, but it's given me a lot of trials as well," Derksen said. "I think the best part about officiating is it's given me a way to stay involved in the game. It's also given me a new perspective. As a player, you think you know the game. As an official, you really know the game."
Many of the questions Derksen faces when approached by prospective officials have to deal with money, or fears of being yelled at by a coach.
"You can learn to block the yelling out and just learning how to continue on with, you can definitely keep going with that," she said. "A lot of times when coaches get upset they're often upset with their players. You're just the first person who's there and they are going to take it out on you."
Derksen's also a member of the Minneapolis Officials Association. The group works together to improve officiating in football and basketball to promote a better understanding between communities and schools.
It's that kind of support system Derksen believes could cultivate a whole new generation of referees.
"I know I've created a great community that I can ask questions to about rules and how to do certain things," she added. "I tell anyone thinking about becoming an official to just give it a try. What do you have to lose?"