Journal of Physical Education and Sports Management

Zebras in the Basketball Serengeti: Perceptions of High School Basketball Officiating
Steven M. Howell, Todd A. Gilson, Claire C. Zvosec, Zachary Wahl-Alexander

Abstract
Sport participation has changed from a participatory activity to a vehicle for the attainment of prestige and tangible rewards. Consequently, the duties of officials have broadened considerably. As a result of this shift, the visibility and scrutiny of officials has increased. Therefore, the present study sought to gain a deep understanding of experiences of high school basketball officials with the goal of deriving practical implications for officials and society as a whole. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to examine memorable experiences of officials (n=10), training/mentoring an official receives to adequately complete their job, how to handle emotionally charged situations, and the role of organizations in promoting a positive sport experience for all. Findings from the present study suggest that negativity, enhanced media coverage, proactive officiating, and the need to develop officials most often impacted their experiences. Results and implications for researchers, athletic administrators, and current/prospective officials are discussed.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/jpesm.v8n1a2