From NFHS Officiating Services Department Newsletter- December 2025:
Around the Nation
This section of the newsletter depends on YOU, the reader, to bring us ideas that work, stories that inspire, exciting news, or celebrations of officiating milestones and accomplishments from across the nation. This month, we feature stories from Nebraska and New Jersey!
The football crew selected as the November 2025 Crew of the Month, representing the New Jersey School Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA), recently shared a testimonial that speaks to the dedication and passionate commitment of interscholastic officials, as well as the friendships and family that develop among the officiating community. The members of the crew- pictured below - are: Rick Schober (Referee), Brian Pluta (Umpire), Steve Faramelli (Head Linesman), Gary Keyser (Line Judge), Sam Robinson (Side Judge), and Mike Hagenbuch (Field Judge). Schober wrote:
I began officiating in 1994 after my cousin, who was already an official, encouraged me to get involved through the youth program. Since then, I’ve officiated more than a thousand football games. A few years ago, I also had the privilege of teaching first and second-year cadets in our local youth organization, helping them develop the same love for the game that has kept me going all these years.
Over time, I’ve met many officials—men and women alike—with all kinds of perspectives toward the game. The one word that consistently stands out to me is “dedication". You need dedication to succeed, to keep learning, and to grow. My crew affectionately calls me “Dad”—not because I’m the oldest (not by much)—but because I’m always pushing them to improve. You have to be focused, dedicated and open minded to learn how to be better officials of the game. We continue to learn and all share the same drive: to give our absolute best for the kids on the field. They deserve nothing less.
Collectively, our crew has 101 years of service experience to football at both the youth and high school levels. Some on our crew have additional service experience with other HS sports. That’s a true testament to dedication. Although we’ve only been together "as a crew" for five years, we’ve built strong friendships on and off the field. After most games, we grab a bite together to unwind and reflect on how we can improve.
We also make it a point to bring our mechanics books to every pregame session—90 minutes before kickoff. Each crew member takes about five minutes to discuss a topic focused on improvement or to reinforce best mechanics. It’s something small that keeps us sharp and aligned.
