A thankless job, a big impact: SD officials prep for football season at All-Star Game

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – One of the most thankless jobs in sports is the one that gives the players the opportunity to compete in every sport.

Referees dedicate their time to help the kids of South Dakota enjoy the sports they love.

Yesterday was the High School Football All Star game in Brookings.

12 officials were there, sharpening up their skills for the regular season.

Tate Schoenfeld, 10 year referee and Alexandria native said, “Football is different than other sports where Basketball you have team camps in the summer, things like that. Football you really don’t have those opportunities so anytime you can get on the field and see live plays before the season starts is definitely a benefit.”

The South Dakota Football Coaches Association and the South Dakota High School Athletics Association partnered with improving the game of football in mind.

Justin Ingalls, state wide coordinator of officials for the SDHSAA says coaches and refs may not see eye to eye on everything.

“But one thing we will always agree on is the opportunity that we want to make this game and give back to this great game of football in every way we can to make it as good as possible for our student athletes,” said Justin Ingalls, SDHSAA State wide coordinator for officials.

Just because it was an all star game didn’t mean the refs were holding back. Ingalls quoted NFL referee Ed Hochuli.

Ingalls said, “Yes, there are penalties in a pro bowl, in here I think we had five or six different penalties, we had some good situations that we’ve talked about, teaching and learning situations.”

This has been a weekend long event.

On Friday Ingalls hosted classroom sessions with film study.

Ingalls said, “What we want called, how we want it called, and the mechanics of the game. What’s important to officials and officiating in the game.”

Ingalls was not the only one giving pointers.

There were many hands on deck making sure every ref could get their questions answered.

Ingalls said, “We had people that literally had experience in the Big 10, at the college level, and tons and tons of experience and expertise at the high school level.”

Even a 10 year veteran like Tate Schoenfelder was able to pick up a thing or two.

Schoenfelder said, “This is my first year attending but I really liked how it was run, the organization of it, and I feel like it was really beneficial to me as an individual and I think that everyone who was here as an official.”

Ingalls wants to continue to grow the game of football.

With many of the 80 athletes competing Saturday finishing their playing career.

Ingalls let them know they don’t have to step away from the field.

Ingalls said, “A number of us talked about our journeys and how we got into officiating, we want to give them some information as they go off to college about how to continue to be involved and get involved and be supported in becoming an official.”

This fun, pressureless environment set up the refs for their best chance at success with the high school football season just two months away.