After stepping down as Brandon’s volleyball coach following the 1996 season, Brad Skauge decided he liked volleyball too much to give it up altogether.
That is how Skauge, who has taught in the Brandon district for 31 years, became an active volleyball official. Although he has been a registered official with the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) for 25 years, it was only after he retired from coaching that he began officiating full-time during the volleyball season.
Skauge, a Ferndale resident who has also officiated high school football and softball games, enjoys the interaction with high school volleyball coaches and players as an official.
‘I do it because I fell in love with the sport,? he said. ‘I wound up giving up football and softball to concentrate on volleyball. When I got out of coaching, I wanted to stay in the game.
Skauge was the Brandon volleyball coach from 1979-96, and currently teaches Practical Law, World Cultures and Wars of the 20th Century at Brandon High School.
During volleyball season, he works a minimum of two-three nights per week officiating at junior varsity and varsity games. During the season (from mid-December through districts), he has worked a Saturday tournament each week but one.
In order to become an official, Skauge said a person must register with the MHSAA and pay a registration fee and insurance fee (about $25 combined for the two fees). The MHSAA will then send you a rulebook and a casebook.
Once a person is registered as an official, they are on their own as far as buying the necessary equipment. Skauge said the estimated cost for all the equipment is between $125-150.
Registered officials then make contact with what are called ‘assigners,? who are hired by the various leagues to coordinate officiating schedules. The assigners call the officials and ask them what days they can work.
Skauge said volleyball officials usually know by the middle of autumn what their basic schedule looks like for the season.
As far as what officials are paid, Skauge said that depends on the league and/or the school. On average, he said they are paid between $60-75 per night, and for tournaments, they are paid between $140-225. In addition, he said most schools provide breakfast and lunch for the officials during Saturday tournaments.
Skauge said volleyball players and coaches rate highly as far as their level of professionalism. ‘The kids and coaches are generally well-mannered,? he said. ‘I’ve only had to issue a yellow warning card three times (since becoming a full-time official).?
‘Kids get to know the officials more in volleyball than in other sports,? he added. ‘We ask them how they are doing with their teams and with their classes. I’ve known several of the coaches from coaching against them.?
In general, he said parents are well-behaved at the games and tournaments. ‘Like any sport, you may get a bad call, but parents are not as vocal as in basketball due to the nature of the sport,? he said. ‘Parents don’t necessarily know all the rules. They may come up and ask why you made a certain call, and you can educate them.?
Skauge said one exception to the well-mannered nature of volleyball parents came this season. He explained there are two officials who work each game ? the first referee, who is on the stand and whose decisions are final, and the second referee on the floor.
In this instance, Skauge was the second referee. The parents at the game in question expressed their anger at the first referee, based on some decisions she made.
‘She’s an excellent referee ? she calls a tight game,? Skauge said.
The parents at the game walked onto the floor several times both during and after the game to voice their displeasure with the officiating. Skauge said the athletic director at the school eventually escorted the lead official to her car after the game.
‘I supported my partner 110 percent,? he said. ‘That’s the only time I’ve seen parents lose control.?
Skauge said he plans on continuing officiating volleyball ‘indefinitely.?
‘It helps me get through the winter,? he said. ‘I like being around the game and my coaching buddies.?
In fact, he said he hopes to one day officiate volleyball at the collegiate level, perhaps in the Big Ten Conference, Mid-American Conference, or the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
‘At the Lahser district this year, I made contact with an official that does college volleyball at all levels,? he said. ‘He directed me to someone who could give me some more information.?