Officiating Recruitment Forum

Jason Nickleby is the MSHSL Coordinator of Officiating Services, a role he has held since 2015.  As Director of the Officiating Program, Jason manages educational development and content delivery for approximately 6,300 contest officials and judges across 18 sports.  Jason also guides and develops the framework of the selection process for 1,200 MSHSL state tournament officiating assignments.  As an official, Jason was a 18-year member of Gopher State Officials Association and Northwest Umpires and he recently received his 20-year plaque for serving as a high school official in Minnesota.  Jason has officiated MSHSL State Tournaments in football, volleyball, basketball and baseball with section tournament experience in track and softball.  At the collegiate level, Jason has officiated football in the NSIC, Missouri Valley Football Conference, the Big Sky, the Mid-American, and currently, the Big Ten Conference.  He continues to work college men’s basketball in the MIAC, UMAC, WIAC and the NSIC.  Jason is an educator of 15 years having served as a K-12 physical education teacher prior to coming to work for the League.

Jason’s wife of 14 years, Erin, is a health, physical education and AVID teacher at Stillwater Area High School.  Jason and Erin have four daughters, Johanna (10), twins, Kara(7) and Macy(7) and Blake(20 mo.)

Contact Information: 

Phone: 763-392-5551

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @MSHSL_Officials

• 30-year official

• MSHSL, WIAA, Division III and JUCO

• Soccer, basketball, baseball, fastpitch softball

• Minneapolis Officials Association, board member, past president

• MSHSL Clinician

• Communications Coordinator, MSHSL

• High School Today editorial board, representing high school officials nationwide

Contact Information: 

Email:  [email protected]

Phone: 763-569-0485

Twitter: @MSHSLTim

Sports and athletics have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I raced competitive BMX for about six years and then got back into playing team sports. When I finally realized that my best playing days were behind me, I found my passion for becoming an official.  I still wanted to be a part of the game and officiating gave me that avenue.  I’ve been calling games for over 30 years now and am still currently active officiating in the sports of Basketball, Baseball, Soccer and Fast Pitch.

I accepted the duties and responsibilities of the MYAS Director of Officials with the ultimate goal of infusing excitement in becoming an official. Just as being a player has its certain demands, executing the role of an official brings with it its own challenges and rewards. With on-court training, proper mechanics and rules knowledge any official can go as far as they would like in this profession.

When I envision the future of officiating at the MYAS, I see a new generation of officials that not only want to give back to the game and still be an important part of it but also hone the craft of officiating and ascend the ranks.  I'm very passionate about being an official and I want to change the perception of what being an official looks like and what it feels like.  Right now, is a great time to start your officiating career and with our help here at the MYAS we'll help you achieve your goals!

Remember… I'm one of you. Officials working on behalf of officials!  

Contact Information: 

Phone: 763-746-1717  

Email: [email protected]

Officiating, playing and coaching athletics has been a large part of my life. Throughout high school, I played basketball, football, volleyball and track. In college I played basketball and club volleyball. I started my officiating career at age 14 and officiated my first varsity basketball game when I was 19 years old. I have also coached basketball, volleyball, wrestling and football at the high school level. During this time I kept coming back to officiating sports and found that is my calling. I currently officiate high school football, basketball and volleyball as well as small college football and basketball. 

I accepted the position of NW coordinator and then state coordinator of volleyball with the hope of educating and infusing the love of officiating in the sport of volleyball. I am now also working as a coordinator in track. I love the excitement of watching other officials grow in this profession especially when I'm watching new officials throughout the state. 

Contact Information: 

Phone: 218-280-1241

Email: [email protected]

I started my officiating journey over ten years ago in Kansas. A friend on my rec league team asked me to fill in because they were shorthanded. I  had doubts about whether I could transition from a "player" mindset to an "officials" mindset but I reluctantly agreed.

One game was all it took and I was hooked.

I have discovered such a passion and fulfillment in officiating. I enjoy watching the players progress from one season to the next, getting to know the coaches, sharing their achievements, and supporting new officials in their training.

Officiating has also taught me so much about myself. I am late-diagnosed neurodiverse and have learned I thrive on rules, which fits perfectly with officiating! I have found empowerment in utilizing my divergence to improve my officiating and the court is the one place I feel most myself.

My advice to any official: Don't be afraid to bring authenticity to your game. I like showing the players (and coaches) that we're not just a stick in the mud there to ruin their fun. Crack a joke, bust a move during warm-up, just be you.

If you've been thinking about it, this is your sign. I encourage you to try officiating! You might just find yourself! I did.