It’s almost time for the first Friday night of the season. The stands will be packed with excited fans. Coaches will be anxiously prepping their players on the sidelines. Grandparents will have driven hours to watch their grandchildren play in their first Varsity games. The bands, drill teams, and cheerleaders will be in position to welcome the athletes who have put in countless hours of work for this moment to the field.

It’s these memories that so many Texas families cherish about Friday nights but a shortage of football officials in Central Texas, and across the rest of the state, is calling for the Friday night lights to shine on Thursdays, Saturdays or not at all. Flexibility from schools is key until chapters can replenish their staff. 

“We’ve lost almost half of our officials in the last three years. Whatever the reason, if that trend continues, we will not have a chapter in Central Texas”, says Bryan Senkirik, the Pecan Valley Football Chapter Assigning Secretary.

Borrowing officials from chapters across the state is not an option either. “The rest of Texas is in the same boat. This doesn’t just affect Brownwood High School but the 32 other schools we cover as well,” he continues.

With the high school football season officially kicking off on August 26th, relief is needed and the Pecan Valley Football chapter is calling on Brown County and the surrounding communities to step up for their student-athletes. The goal is to have a total of 70 to 80 officials meaning the chapter is looking to add around 40 new members as soon as possible. 

Officials are paid per game. The minimum pay for a varsity game starts at $105. Officials get paid based on how many games called and where they are located. One Brown County chapter member brought in $10,000 in extra income for his family last season calling two different sports. More information regarding pay can be found at this link: https://www.uiltexas.org/athletics/officials-fee-schedule

The requirements to become an official require effort, but the chapter is in full support of new members to see them through successfully. New members must be at least 16 years old and be able to pass a background check. It’s essential that officials are physically active and able to move up and down the field. One educational clinic is mandatory and a 50 question test over rules and procedures must be passed. State dues that cover medical and liability insurance are covered for new members.

Meetings are held on Mondays at 6:30pm at the National Guard Armory in Brownwood. Remote options are available for those who live outside the Brown County area. You do not have to live in Brown County to join the chapter. Current members reside in San Angelo, Comanche, Coleman, De Leon, Stephenville, Ballinger and elsewhere outside of the local area. 

Andrew Ruffin, board member, says “it’s important to know that officiating is about way more than just the money. “It’s about the players. It’s about the memories. I played in high school. I remember what those moments felt like and I wouldn’t have any of those memories if it wasn’t for the officials. It’s also about the camaraderie and friendship you find in the guys you call these games with. I didn’t know Bryan or any of the guys prior to joining the chapter and now we’re great friends. You develop these bonds and friendships that carry on even into our families. We’re a group of military veterans, college professors, business owners, prior college football players and more. It’s a community and a great way to give back to these student-athletes who work as hard as they do.”

“It’s also about opportunity. The Pecan Valley Football chapter now has officials calling college football games. Other chapters across the state have sent officials to the NFL. The chapter has officiated state championships in AT&T stadium. Opportunity and experience are an added bonus,” Senkirik reminds us. 

Joe Martin, Executive Director of the Texas High School Coaches Association, said it best, “officials need sports in order to officiate, but without officials, sports would never happen.”

For more information on becoming an official, contact Bryan Senkirik at 325-203-6133 or visit their website at https://pecanvalleyfootballofficials.com/.