Member Spotlight: Meet Brittany

Brittany’s journey into officiating began with a nudge from a coworker and a powerful connection to her grandfather, the late Rudolph Freeman — a respected referee whose retired jersey she now proudly wears on the field.
For her, it’s about legacy, love of the game, and the camaraderie that comes with being part of SEFOA.
Read her full story below 

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What made you decide to become a football official?
I decided to become a football official through the encouragement of a co-worker, Lydell Finley, who was a member of SEFOA. He believed my love for football and knowledge of the game would translate well to officiating.
Also, I admired my grandfather, Rudolph Freeman, who was a well-known referee in the area. I always aspired to be a referee like him, but didn't know how or where to get started. When I finally thought about pursuing officiating, my grandfather had become sick and was not able to help me with it. However, when I became a member of SEFOA, his retired jersey was unretired so that I was able to wear it. Being able to wear his jersey has been an honor, and I hope I am making him proud.

Do you officiate any other sports?
I do not officiate any other sports. I did officiate softball for one season as I played softball growing up. However, playing softball and officiating softball are completely different. The experience was not what I expected, so I decided not to continue with it.

What do you enjoy most about officiating?
I enjoy the camaraderie the most. I enjoy the pre-game preparation and discussions, the in-game situations that evolve where we work together to solve and resolve situations, and the post-game gatherings and recovery. Even in the off-season, the camaraderie continues with continuous communication and get-togethers to further develop relationships outside of football.

What would you tell someone who's thinking about joining?
Just do it. Don't wait for the perfect opportunity or until you feel “ready” to pursue it. If it's something you're interested in, give it a try. Go to the training sessions. Ask questions. Learn more about the avocation.

How many years have you been officiating high school football?
I began officiating high school football in 2015. However, there were a few years where I was unable to officiate due to injury and the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, I have been on the field officiating for seven years.

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Interested in officiating high school football?
We’re currently recruiting for the upcoming season, and no experience is necessary — we provide all the training at no cost. You’ll get to stay connected to the game, support student-athletes, and join a strong community of officials who have your back.
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🦓 Fill out our interest form here.