North Judson-San Pierre students can now learn to become licensed Indiana officials.
North Judson-San Pierre Athletic Director Michael Sharkozy says the IHSAA and the Indiana Department of Education (DOE) started offering this course last year and that it is an elective Physical Education course that gives credits to students involved.
Former IHSAA Director Sandra Walter announced this past May, 360 high school baseball games were canceled due to a shortage of umpires throughout the state of Indiana. Close to 100 softball games were canceled as well throughout the state.
The course is designed to help combat the low numbers in officiating throughout the state as well as offering students the opportunity to learn how to become an Indiana licensed official.
Athletic Director Sharkozy says not only do the students receive credit by taking the class, they also can potentially be paid per game that they officiate. He said they will need to go through the course and pass a test to become an official with the state. The state would then assign the student with a probationary license allowing them to be paid per game.
He says there are 12 students enrolled in the class this semester and that once they pass the test, they will then be allowed to officiate Junior High games with a veteran official.
Once a student turns 18 the state allows them to apply for a regular license. At that point, they are able to professionally officiate varsity events.
