Press Release Submitted
Sports Officials Care, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization committed to uniting sports officials
from all sports, educating teens and giving back, is proud to have hosted a Game On
event at Southport High School on Wednesday, December 3 from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM.
There is a huge crisis with a shortage of sports officials in youth sports, and our goal is to
introduce teens to sports officiating and some of the great life lessons, such as perseverance,
goal-setting and teamwork that can be taught through this avenue of sports. This was a free,
interactive clinic, and we are honored that several professional sports officials took time out to impart their knowledge to these local high school students.
“We are thrilled to have professional sports officials who have worked games in the NFL, NCAA
and professional soccer who are taking time out to introduce high school students to sports
officiating and to hear the journeys of these sports officials,” Sports Officials Care Executive
Director Jennifer Skolochenko-Platt said. “There is a national shortage of sports officials, and
through these clinics, we are working to motivate the next generation to get on the field.”
EVENT ATTENDEES:
Officials:
Baseball – Derek Whitfield (United Umpires) and Donnie Smith (NCAA)
Basketball – Sean West (High School/NCAA)
Football –Mark Baltz (Retired NFL official), Steven Woods (NFL official), and
Kris Loving (Big Ten)
Soccer –Jeff Swartzel (MLS/NWSL) and Race Williams (US Soccer)
Volunteers:
Dana Pappas, Director of Officiating Services for the National Federation of High
