George Howe looks on, ready to make a call. Photo by Evan Triantafilidis.On a larger scale of referees from last week, the work of replacement refs was broken down — by the fans, too — and analyzed. This week, the focus is on a smaller scale, ASU intramurals. George Howe, a three-year ref for all ASU intramural sports, said he knows the pressures of officiating can cause a ref to break down.
Howe, a junior supply chain management major, started off his officiating career in high-school being a ref for soccer games.
Since the beginning of his career, Howe has witnessed or made calls that largely impacted the game he officiated on a “literally nightly basis”.
These plays are game defining calls, and Howe is no stranger to these in the flag football intramural leagues he officiates.
“Some of the toughest calls in the game come when I’m a sideline ref," Howe says. “At the end of the first half of a flag football game I was calling a player scored as the clock expired, and to my knowledge it looked like he brought his hand down to 'flag guard.'”
Howe called the penalty on the play and brought back the touchdown. To no one's surprise, the call did not go well with the crowd.
To be a referee of any level, thick skin is a key requirement.
“Flag football is a sport where positioning is key so you can see all the calls you need to make," Howe says. “We have less referees than the NFL and NCAA does, so we have to make sure people are in the right place at the right time.”
Keep in mind, Howe and the rest of the referees do not have video evidence to challenge a play on the field. The intramural referees appear to be at an even bigger disadvantage than professional referees.
Even through the crazy fans, players and angry coaches Howe manages to still have fun on the field.
“It’s fun to be involved in the games, especially when they are so competitive," Howe says. “I really enjoy the fans, the intensity and it is a really exciting time to be in the flow of a good game.”
Howe previously played football, soccer and track in high-school and credits that for his interest in sports officiating.
So, Howe stands with his whistle and his black and white striped referee uniform. From turf to the court, he officiates flag football, volleyball, softball and more.
The Monday Night Football game seems to be in the past now with the replacement referees gone, but what may be overlooked is the impact it had on the league and the referees.
Now imagine the SRC fields hosting flag football playoffs under the lights. The game is on the line and Howe is on the sideline with the whistle in his mouth. He is ready to make a game-deciding call if necessary.
To set the scene: the kid from lecture class drops back, ready to throw the ball down field to the one kid always seen pacing the dorm hallways.
The play goes to the one-yard line and it’s up to Howe to make the call — a touchdown or nothing.
What will the call be?
Similar stakes will take place during the flag football playoffs at the Student Recreation Center fields during the week.
You can reach me at etrianta@asu.edu
