JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — Jeremy Dietz Jr. has been a junior high sports referee for less than a year and has his sights set on being promoted to a varsity sports referee as soon as possible.
The 18-year-old said that as a lifelong basketball player, he is grateful for the opportunity to “stay in the game.”
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When he learned that his alma mater, Conemaugh Valley High School, offered a Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association officiating certificate in lieu of physical education credit, his choice was clear.
Dietz, a 2025 graduate, said he took the course his senior year and was excited about the education and support provided by Vicki Markiewicz and Jason Moschgat.
“It takes a while to get used to it,” Dietz said. “Unless you’re on the other side of the ball, you never really realize how much work the referees put into the game.”
High School Principal Brian Randall said Connaught Valley has been offering the course to officers for about two years.
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About five students enrolled in the first batch, almost the same number as last year. For the 2025-26 school year, nine students signed up to learn how to moderate.
Students taking this course experience a relaxed atmosphere more akin to college. They meet in the lobby of the high school building and take a reference representation course, which is largely video-based.
Each student then selects at least three sports in which they would like to train. For example, Emily Schettler is studying wrestling, softball, track and field, and women’s lacrosse.
“Our goal is to have one fall sport, one winter sport and one spring sport,” Randall said.
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Shetler, an 11th-grade wrestler in the school’s cooperative agreement with Central Cambria High School, signed up for the program this year and became certified to officiate in the sport. When she got this year’s schedule and saw the featured classes, she was intrigued.
“It could be fun,” Schettler recalled.
Since taking the course, she has loved it and has even booked a judging job for December. She will officiate a junior wrestling dual match and a tournament.
“I thought it would be fun to be an officer,” she said, adding that the money was good, too.
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Randall said the high school class emerged out of a need to find referees for sporting events. He noted that the declining and aging number of officials sometimes makes it difficult to find match referees.
Randall said that by creating its own PIAA officers, the organization will be revitalized. Dietz, for example, officiated a junior high game at the high school on Tuesday and will be back to officiate more games.
Dietz said he has had a positive experience since graduating and becoming an officer regulated by the PIAA. He’s still adjusting to the rhythm of the game, but loves the new perspective on basketball.
“You really just have to make the best decision and go from there,” Dietz said.