WIAA officials shortage reaches 'crisis mode'

[Army Ant]

Remember, it's in almost every sport; not just wrestling. In the end, the benefits such as pay + other rewards (e.g. exercise, relationships, satisfaction, helping kids, being part of the sport, etc) must >>> costs such as effort/time+travel/licensing costs+dealing with criticizing+stress. In the end, its a balancing act for every official and if we have a shortage we have to make changes to the above (pay or other factor(s)).

[TomM]

Agreed

[littleguy301]

So it's not the fans getting after you or the 10-12 hour Saturdays or the weigh ins and having to disqualify kids for skin issues or coaches on your rear and in your ear?  The mask is just too much, the straw that broke the camel's back?

I can tell you why I am not officiating this year. I don't want to wear a mask.

Then

I can tell you why I am not officiating this year. I don't want to wear a mask.

If you are vaccinated, why the need for a mask?

If we could get enough people vaccinated, we might be able to not have to wear them......That is not for sure either, we'll have to wait and see.  In regard to your question:
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/why-the-cdc-recommends-wearing-masks-indoors-even-if-youve-been-fully-vaccinated-against-covid-19

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/already-vaccinated-heres-why-you-shouldnt-stop-wearing-your-face-mask-yet/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/coronavirusfrontlines/2021/07/30/why-vaccinated-people-should-wear-masks-indoors-for-the-foreseeable-future/?sh=3b37d9a57543

You say the mask was the deal breaker then post this. Man I am confused!

If the mask is the reason why this individual isnt going ref, then it is his thought and people question it. Strange world we live in.

To the gentleman that isnt going to ref due to wearing a mask, thank you for your time and service in past years of reffing. Best of wishes to what ever the future hold for you.

[littleguy301]

Reffing is down in ALL sports not just wrestling. There has been a dip for some time now.

I can see why people dont want to ref. There is no punishment for coaches that are way over the line in their yelling, name calling to gomalong with fans.

I for one am not sure I want to coach any more but there is no amount of money some one could pay me to get on the mat and ref in this back boneless world we live in.

[MNbadger]

I enjoy refereeing wrestling.  It is nearly impossible to do this and coach however.  It has been many years since I've seen coaches who also reffed.  There were a few I know who did it earlier in my coaching career. 
The parents and fans never bothered me when I reffed.  I always thought it was kind of fun when they got on me.  It may be much worse now as some are saying.  The one thing I see is that it is usually the fans and coaches (including myself on occasion) who end up in "stuff" with referees.  The wrestlers always seem to take everything in stride at least this has been my experience.
The reality is there has been a lack of referees for every sport for years and years, long before the pandemic.  I know someone already pointed this out.  When I was on our community soccer board we spent a huge percentage of our time and effort into recruiting referees, it seemed endless.
I think part of it with wrestling referees is the same as for wrestlers.  Wrestling is such a huge commitment, more of a lifestyle than a sport.  I think when wrestlers are done with their competitive careers, they are done.  They don't want to "go in the hole" for the winter anymore.  I know I am not producing anything new here, just adding my 2 cents.