Sports Officiating Class Opens Real-World Doors for Upper Campus Students

This year, BG Christian introduced a new Upper Campus elective called Sports Officiating, a course designed to combine rule mastery, professional communication, and real-world responsibility on the basketball court. What started as a creative academic idea quickly became a pathway for students to serve in their community and build confidence in leadership-oriented roles.

Over the course of the first semester, students studied the techniques, mechanics, and approach to basketball officiating while learning from instructors familiar with the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s (OHSAA) standards and expectations. The class focused not only on the “what” and “how” of officiating, but the “why” - fairness, integrity, composure, and clear communication under pressure. Those skills translate far beyond sports and into life, especially as students grow into the unique callings God has placed before them.

At the end of the semester, all ten students took the official OHSAA basketball officiating exam and earned licenses to officiate basketball games in the State of Ohio. Obtaining this certification is no small task. It requires a strong understanding of the rules, physical awareness, and a professional mindset that supports athletes, coaches, and the spirit of the game.

What makes this story even more exciting is how quickly students began putting their new skills into action. Five students have already worked live games as certified basketball officials, stepping onto courts across northwest Ohio and representing BG Christian with excellence.

BG Christian junior, Greg J., has already officiated games at schools such as Gibsonburg and at our own Lower Campus, gaining valuable hands-on experience. “It’s fast-paced and challenging,” Greg shared after working on one of his first assignments. “But it’s also rewarding to be part of the game in a different way and to know you’re doing something that matters.”

These opportunities are more than resume builders. They help students discover new interests, take ownership of responsibilities typically reserved for adults, and engage with the community in a meaningful way. Most importantly, they provide another avenue for students to grow confidently into who God has called them to be.

At BG Christian, we believe in partnering with families to develop life-long disciples who know their unique identity and purpose in Christ. Courses like Sports Officiating remind us that God uses every kind of environment to shape young disciples, whether that’s in a chapel, a classroom, or the middle of a gym with a whistle in hand.