Many people may know Rob Church as a health teacher or a physical education teacher, but what they might not know is that he has started to teach a class that has flown under the radar, reffing. The Ref Reps program, which the class operates under, is a nationwide program that is featured in many different states. 

“The IHSAA, as you know, is in great need of officials. We have a lot of them who are older that are retiring and they’re finding it hard to replace them. Even our club sports within Lawrence struggle to get referees,” Church said.

In reffing class there are up to 20 sports that students in the class are able to choose from.

“Our goal is for each of them to get through two different sports by the end of the semester and they do,” Church said. 

With this being the first year the Ref Reps program is present in LN, there are not many students in the program, which could change. More awareness about the program and class allows more students to join and be a part of the class. 

Senior Sam Graves took the Ref Reps class because he plans to become an official to use it as a side hustle in the future. 

“Sports didn’t go so well for me but I still like sports because I’m smart at it, so I’d be a good ref,” senior Sam Graves said.  

Right now, students complete work online. Church hopes that the class continues to grow and that next year he can get students in game experience with reffing.

 “What we hope to do is to team up with our team sports class and our physical education classes and the folks who are in the referee classes to come in and ref their games,” Church said. 

Students taking this class who eventually become certified by the IHSAA can be hired to officiate games and get paid to ref 14U, middle school games, club games, and once students turn 18 they will be able to ref high school games.