John's Journal: Female Football Officials Are Getting The Job Done

When a Class 4A football state semifinal between Totino-Grace and Orono was played last Friday at U.S. Bank Stadium, everything was in order. In a well-played game by both teams, Totino-Grace won 30-21 to advance to the Prep Bowl championship game against Becker on Friday at U.S. Bank Stadium.

There were six penalties called during the contest: delay of game, illegal formation, false start, holding and pass interference (two penalties). The officiating crew worked efficiently, communicated continually, kept the game moving and did a splendid job.

Fans may have noticed something about one official that was just a little bit different: A ponytail. That’s because the umpire was Linda Mills, one of 21 females who are certified to officiate high school football in Minnesota. Overall, there are 1,405 certified football officials in the state.

The referee (also known as the white cap) in that game was Bill Mills, Linda’s husband. The duo made history as the first husband and wife to officiate a state semifinal football game. Linda is a third-year official; Bill has been an MSHSL official for more than 25 years and also officiates Division III college football. They live in Glenwood, where Bill is the director of community education (and former activities director) at Minnewaska Area Schools and Linda is a health and physical education teacher.

“His encouragement for me to get involved at the varsity level in football played a big role,” Linda said. “I also love football. I've watched Bill officiate for years and I've been a huge Vikings and Gopher football fan, so to get more involved made sense.”

Linda wasn’t the first female to officiate a state semifinal game. That glass ceiling was broken in 2022 by M.J. Wagenson of Pine Island and Leah Berard of St. Paul. Wagenson made more history in 2023 by working a state championship football game. In 2016 Wagenson became the first female official to work at the boys state basketball tournament.

Wagenson is one of the most-respected officials in several sports. Along with basketball and football, she officiates softball as well as college volleyball and basketball. She became a high school football official eight years ago because of a shortage of officials. She intended to work only sub-varsity games.

“My second year I was added to a varsity crew and I love it,” she said. “Sport and competition in general are just so rewarding.”

The female officials have varied sports backgrounds, some of them watched their fathers officiate, and some of them became officials after their kids were grown.

Lisa Schuler of Plymouth, who has been a football official for six years, was a high school cheerleader in North Dakota and played basketball, which was the only sport offered for girls at her school. She watched her two sons play football from third grade through high school at Totino-Grace in Fridley. When they left for college, she missed the game.

She mentioned to some friends that she was considering becoming a football official. Another Totino-Grace parent, who happened to be an MSHSL employee, overheard her and offered encouragement.

“He said, ‘You should do it!’ ”  Lisa said. “ ‘The state needs more officials and you know the game and love it.’ I went home that night and printed out the form to register to be an official. It didn't hurt that Jason Nickleby (MSHSL coordinator of officiating services) then called to encourage me. And the rest is history.

“The energy of being on the field for Friday Night Lights is a rush of adrenaline I will never get tired of. I now understand how pumped up the players get to be on the field to play this game together. … I love hanging out with my Band of Brothers (my crew) and working with fellow football officials for games at all levels. I work from high school to college and even youth games and I’m always learning.”

Minnesota’s female football officials range in age from 20-something to 60-something.

Ali Pekarna of Minneapolis, who just completed her first season as a football official, followed in her father’s footsteps. Marty Pekarna is a veteran high school and college football official.

“I always loved talking to him about his games and learning the rules of how to play,” Ali said. “Growing up, my dad was an avid baseball umpire so we spent lots of hours on the field as a family.

“I love getting to help the athletes. I am a teacher and truly enjoy being in their presence. Being able to ref with my dad is such an honor and something I don't take for granted. It has been an amazing first year learning from him and so many others. Being able to be active and spend more time outside is an added bonus.”

Kim Gullickson of Morris has been a football official for two seasons. A basketball player and track athlete in high school, her husband, Vance, is a veteran football and basketball official. She joined him after their kids were grown.

“He thought I might enjoy officiating on Fridays with him,” Kim said. “So I thought about it and decided, ‘Why not?’ I think it is important to always be learning and trying new things. Learning the game as an official and specifically one that I had never participated in, certainly was going to be a challenge and I was up for the task with the backing of my husband.

“I enjoy being on the field and focusing on the role of an official. Seeing these young athletes up close, and how hard they work and how passionate the players and coaches are, has given me a new appreciation for the game that you cannot experience as a fan, parent or spectator of the sport. I also enjoy being the umpire and standing next to my husband, who is the white hat.”

Kim has worked four games each year, which allows her time to watch her 13 grandkids participate in their fall sports. “Maybe next year I will add a few more games,” she said. “I probably started later than most officials as I was a busy mom with five children who were all involved in sports.”

Karla Bigham, who lives in Cottage Grove, has worked football for three years. She played softball and tennis in high school, and when she learned that high school football schedules were in flux because of the shortage of officials, she took the plunge.

“There were stories in the news and I heard in the community that high school football games had to be canceled due to the lack of officials available,” she said. “Sports were a positive part of my childhood and kids must have opportunities to keep active. I decided to step up and help where there was a need.

“I enjoy learning about the game and meeting so many new people along the way. Seeing the fun the teams are having is great, too.”

The camaraderie of working with others is something all officials enjoy. Being the only female on a crew with five males is not a barrier; the job means knowing the rules, continual learning, and gender plays no role.

“Officials are all very kind and supportive,” said Pekarna. “They are willing to help in any way they can. Some of the more experienced officials gave me some great tips and helped guide me on what to focus on as I was getting used to the process. It is also OK to not know everything, learning as you go is key.”

Wagenson said, “Camaraderie with your crew, and providing a product, as well as learning together is just so fulfilling. Again, it's being part of a team, working toward that common goal. If you love sport and competition, share that by giving back to other student-athletes and it is a fantastic way to stay involved with the sport and be in the mix with athletes, coaches and your peers who also share the same love of the game.”

Kelly Banyai of Prior Lake has worked football games for nine years and also officiates lacrosse. She played basketball in high school and college, but “I never once thought about where refs come from or that I wanted to do it.”

“I wanted something to do outside of my family that I would enjoy and would possibly improve my life,” she said. “I wish I would have started sooner. It has made me a better person, parent and spectator. I love being a part of a team again and I get the best view to watch amazing athletes succeed.”

All officials hear negative comments from athletes, coaches and spectators. Banyai said, “Officials are trying to make sure the sport has a place in the future by enforcing rules that are made to keep everyone safe. Parents need to calm down; it is just a game. I have more than one example of times where the kids emulate what the coaches and parents are saying and there is still no respect for the rules or the game itself. I believe youth sport organizations should really be pushing kids into becoming refs, but also parents.”

Stephanie LaHaye of New Hope is an eighth-year football official who was a track and cross-country athlete in high school.

“When I was very young, I thought I could be good at it and told my parents I wanted to be an NFL official,” she said. “When I was older and looking for a fun part-time job, my dad encouraged me to look into officiating high school sports.

“It's fun getting to experience different high schools’ Friday Night Lights each week. I also enjoy working with other officials and providing the opportunity for students to compete in sports.”

All high school officials have so-called “real” jobs. In Morris, Gullickson is busy in many ways. She was recently elected to her third term on the city council, she has a full-time job and works part-time at a clothing boutique. This fall she was working at the boutique on a Saturday after officiating a football game the previous evening. A mother and daughter were shopping and recognized Kim.

“The daughter thought it was so cool that I was reffing a football game one day and the next day I was all dressed up and selling clothes,” she said. “It just goes to show you, a person can really do anything they set their mind to.”

--MSHSL senior content creator John Millea has been the leading voice of Minnesota high school activities for decades. Follow him on Threads at johnmilleamn and listen to "Preps Today with John Millea” wherever you get podcasts. Contact John at [email protected] or [email protected]