Referees Jason Swick, of Prineville, from left, and Maurice Evans, of Bend, talk during a time out at a girls basketball game at Mountain View High School in Bend in 2022.

The Central Oregon Athletic Directors are sponsoring a job fair for those interested in becoming a high school official.

Recent years have seen a stark decline in those willing to referee high school sporting events. One example of the referee shortage this past year was having to play doubleheaders weekly in league volleyball matches.

The COAD is looking for officials in football, volleyball, soccer, basketball, wrestling, baseball and softball.

The job fair will be held Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Redmond High School Commons. Those in attendance will learn about what it takes to become an official, the earning potential and benefits of becoming an official.

—Brian Rathbone, The Bulletin