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District III to hold first-ever referee symposium to help recruit officials

District III will host the first-ever referee symposium, which will include guest speakers and current PIAA refs, to help encourage sign-ups to combat the shortage.

HARRISBURG, Pa. — District III is pioneering a first-of-its-kind event with its upcoming referee symposium. 

The event is for local athletic directors and board members to drum up more interest throughout the area for new officials to join. 

"Our hope is that people realize it's a great job, a well-paying job, that you are supported in," said District III board member Dr. Branden Lippy. "It's one that you can create a large group of friends in."

The symposium will feature current PIAA referees and guest speakers such as NBA officials and Lebanon native Ashley-Moyer-Gleich. Attendees who plan to sign up will even be supported financially by District III.

"If they show up to the clinic we have a lot of different things going on at that moment you are going to be able to register for free to become an official," said District III executive director Dr. Ron Kennedy. "District III is going to foot the bill for that and you are going to be well on your way."

District III is just one of a handful of areas that have had to adjust game day schedules to accommodate the shortage of refs. 

Taking a leap of faith with the symposium is an effort they hope pays off. 

"Whatever we do good we want to continue maybe a few times a year as well," said Dr. Kennedy "I think that personal contact is something that is really going to be helpful with District III's symposium serving as a spearhead in getting as many refs involved as possible."

The symposium will be held at Central Dauphin High School on June 22.

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