 Sometimes it’s simple: a love for the game, a passion for helping young athletes, and a front-row seat to Friday night lights. This week, we’re proud to feature Herb, who has dedicated nearly two decades to officiating and mentoring youth through sports. Here's a little more about why he officiates: What made you decide to become a football official?
I became a football official to stay close to the game and hopefully be able to help the youth. Do you officiate any other sports? I officiate high school and college basketball. What do you enjoy most about officiating? I enjoy getting a front-row seat to some great athletes and also being able to guide them with words of wisdom. What would you tell someone who's thinking about joining? You can’t do it for the money—you have to do it for the opportunity to help steer the youth with positivity. How many years have you been officiating high school football? This will be my 20th season.
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 Officiating stories don’t all start the same—and that’s what makes them so powerful. This week, we’re spotlighting Cody, whose journey into football officiating started with a push from his wife and turned into a total life transformation. From calling fouls from the couch to running five miles a day and stepping onto the field 125 pounds lighter, Cody has found a new passion, a new team, and the best seat in the house. Here’s Cody’s story, in his own words: What made you decide to become a football official?
Honestly, this was something my wife really thought I should do. I had retired from the corporate life and was looking for something to fill my time. One lazy Sunday, we were watching football, and as most of us do, I was calling all the fouls from the comfort of my recliner in 4K. Karen turned to me and said, “That’s what you should do—you should go ref football. You’d be great at it!” I laughed and said, “Yeah, I doubt that.” At the time, I was over 330 pounds and in no shape to run around a yard, much less a football field. After listing all the reasons I wouldn’t be a good official, she fired back with her list of reasons I would. With that, and maybe a little bit of cosmic karma, I decided to set it as a goal. That was March 2021. By November 2022, I had reached my goal weight of 205 pounds—125 pounds lost—and was running an average of five miles a day. I emailed the association and started my officiating journey in May 2023 with my first meeting. Do you officiate any other sports? I did wrestling in my first year, which was a good experience. But this past year, I decided to really focus solely on football. What do you enjoy most about officiating? This is tough—there’s no way I could pick just one reason. My first year felt like playing a round of golf. Some games were rough, others were better, and once in a while, I’d hit that perfect “shot.” It was those moments when it all clicked that kept me coming back. My second year was a different experience. I was more relaxed, understood more, and I had the incredible opportunity to be assigned to an outstanding crew. That’s when I really fell in love with it. That group made every Friday night something I looked forward to. They pushed me to be better with each game. It’s all the love and excitement I had as a player, reborn—and it’s the best seat in the house. What would you tell someone who’s thinking about joining? Do it! If the thought has crossed your mind and you love the sport—go for it. The feelings you had as a player are the same ones you get to experience again while watching the next generation of student-athletes. You’re front row for every joyful and heartbreaking moment these games bring. How many years have you been officiating high school football? I’ll be going into my third year this upcoming season—and it can’t get here fast enough.  At SEFOA, we’re proud to have officials who bring not only experience and dedication to the field—but heart, energy, and a genuine love for the game. We’re spotlighting a few of our members to give you a closer look at the people behind the stripes. This week, we’re featuring Laura Kaiser, a multi-sport official who brings passion, perspective, and purpose to every game she steps into. From basketball and swimming to football and softball, Laura brings her all—and we’re lucky to have her on the team. Here’s what she had to say about her path to officiating and why she keeps coming back season after season.  Whether you're already part of the SEFOA or just curious about what it takes to become a high school football official, we invite you to join us for a casual night out at Back Bay Brewing Co. Farmhouse on Friday, April 18 from 6 to 8 p.m.
We’ll be showing up in our stripes—literally. No formal presentations, no pressure, just a group of officials enjoying a beer and being available to answer questions for anyone who wants to learn more about what we do. For SEFOA Officials: If you’re part of our association, we’d love to see you there. Throw on your stripes and come hang out. The first 20 officials who attend in uniform will receive their first beer on us. It’s a simple way to show up, be visible, and help others see what makes this profession special. For Anyone Interested in Officiating: If you’ve ever thought about officiating high school football—or just want to learn more—this is a great chance to talk with real officials and hear what it’s like. You’ll get honest answers about what’s involved, how to get started, and why so many of us keep coming back year after year. No pressure. No signup required. Just come hang out, grab a beer, and see if it might be a good fit. Event Details: Sips & Stripes Friday, April 18 | 6–8 p.m. Back Bay Brewing Co. Farmhouse 1805 Kempsville Rd, Virginia Beach, VA We'll be the ones in stripes. Hope to see you there. SEFOA proudly trains and supports football officials across Southeastern Virginia. |
Blog AuthorLance Ulrich has been a football official since 2002, and a member of SEFOA since 2009. Archives
May 2025
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