The Mid-American Conference has announced a new partnership with Officially Human, an organization dedicated to improving the treatment and retention of sports officials at all levels. This collaboration comes at a critical time, as the shortage of sports officials in youth, high school, and lower collegiate levels has reached near-crisis proportions.

Founded in 2019, Officially Human is a grassroots effort aimed at “humanizing” sports officials and addressing the alarming rate at which they leave the profession. A significant percentage of officials quit within their first three years, citing poor treatment from coaches, fans, and administrators as the primary reason for their departure.

“Our partnership with Officially Human aligns perfectly with the Mid-American Conference’s commitment to sportsmanship and respect within our athletic programs,”said MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher. “Through this collaboration, we aim to provide our member institutions with vital programming to elevate the respect and treatment of officials, ensuring a positive and respectful environment for all participants.”

As part of this partnership, the MAC and its member institutions will have access to Officially Human’s comprehensive programming, including:

• Elevate Respect: Initiatives designed to foster a culture of respect and appreciation for officials.
• PA Reads: Announcements and reminders during games to promote sportsmanship.
• Public Service Announcements: Campaigns to educate and inform the community about the importance of treating officials with respect.

Additionally, attendees may notice activations and initiatives promoting this partnership at upcoming MAC Conference Championships, underscoring the importance of this cause.

For more information about Officially Human and their mission, please visit Officially Human’s Website.

About the Mid-American Conference:

The Mid-American Conference office is based in Cleveland, Ohio as the Conference office serves 12 full-time members and offer championships in 22 sports. 

Founded in 1946, the Mid-American Conference is an NCAA Division I, 12-member conference that sponsors 22 championships and is one of ten members of the Football Bowl Subdivison (FBS). With total enrollment of nearly 300,000 students, the league represents institutions of higher learning in five (5) states – Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York, and Ohio.

About Officially Human:

Officially Human was founded in 2019 with the mission to “humanize” sports officials at all levels by promoting respect and proper treatment. Through education and advocacy, Officially Human aims to address the critical shortage of sports officials and ensure a positive experience for all involved in sports.