BONNERS FERRY — Across Idaho, the shortage of referees is taking a toll on high school sports, leading to game rescheduling, increased workloads for officials, and is straining on athletic programs. Idaho Digital Learning Alliance (IDLA) is working to be part of the solution with its Officiating Youth Sports course, a fully online class that equips students with the knowledge and certification to step into officiating roles.

Two Bonners Ferry High students recently completed the course, gaining not only officiating skills but also valuable lessons in leadership, decision-making, and confidence. Their experiences highlight how students can play a role in keeping high school sports thriving.

Senior Asher Williams, a standout athlete for Bonners Ferry, first heard about the course through a friend. 

"I play a lot of sports, and it interested me," he shared. 

As a key player on the Bonners Ferry varsity basketball team, Williams helped lead his team to its first-ever 3A (now 4A) State Championship in 2024. He also competes in varsity track and field. Through the course, Williams gained a new appreciation for the role of officials. 

"The most valuable thing I learned is that officials are human too," Williams said. "Their job is just as hard, if not harder, than playing the sport.

He plans to officiate basketball and possibly soccer, seeing it as a way to stay involved in the game and sharpen his leadership and quick decision-making skills.

Junior Makenna Baisden, a dedicated athlete and dual-credit student, discovered the class through her school counselor. 

"I have played basketball, soccer, track and field, and volleyball throughout my life, so I thought it would be cool to learn more about officiating and actually get certified to do it," she said.

She found that the course helped build confidence, consistency, and the ability to handle tough situations. 

"Officiating isn’t as easy as it looks. There will always be people who don’t agree with you, and staying in shape takes dedication, consistency, and hard work." 

Baisden encourages other students to take the course, even if they don’t plan to officiate. 

"The skills you gain — leadership, decision-making, confidence — apply to so many areas of life." 

She plans to officiate basketball and volleyball as a way to stay connected to the sports she loves while giving back to the community.

The referee shortage has become a growing concern across Idaho and nationwide. Many officials are leaving the field due to burnout, verbal abuse from spectators, and the demanding nature of the job. With fewer referees, schools face challenges in scheduling games, sometimes forcing teams to play with limited officiating crews or move competitions to weekdays.

IDLA’s Officiating Youth Sports course gives high school students a chance to step into these roles early, gaining a foundation in officiating rules, mechanics, and ethical decision-making. The online format allows students from across the state to complete the course on their own schedule while working toward certification to officiate games at the youth and high school levels.

Both Williams and Baisden walked away from the course with a deeper appreciation for sports officials and the vital role they play in keeping the game fair. Whether through officiating or competing, these students are finding new ways to stay involved and support the next generation of athletes — while helping to fill a critical need in Idaho high school sports.

For more information about IDLA’s Officiating Youth Sports course, visit IDLA.org.

    Makenna Baisden