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Although some early scheduled games may have to be moved due to the late negotiations between Section XI and officials, the upcoming fall season should, for the most part, start on time.
Section XI officials have reached a contract agreement, ending a months-long stalemate between the governing body of Suffolk County scholastic sports and its referees, umpires and judges that could have delayed the start of the fall season.
The President’s Council of Suffolk County Officials voted last Wednesday night, August 23, to ratify a three-year agreement that calls for incremental raises of $3 per game in the first year and $5 per game in the second and third years for all sports.
Additionally, the contract increases volleyball officials’ pay from $120 to $134, fencing from $117 to $134, field hockey from $126 to $134 and swimming from $122 to $134 per event to put them on par with other sports. Raises for each sport’s rules interpreter is also included in the contract.
“We are happy that most of the early contests will be played with certified officials,” Section XI Executive Director Tom Combs said Friday. “It will take a bit of time for all games to be covered as a large majority of the officials haven’t yet submitted their availabilities. Once we receive the availabilities from the refs, then we will be able to assign the fall season.”
Teams need six practices to be eligible to compete. The first nonleague games for boys and girls soccer, volleyball and field hockey began August 28.
“While the agreement does not address all of the officials’ concerns, it does represent the officials’ commitment to the development, growth and success of our student-athletes,” said Marc Negrin, president of the Suffolk County Football Officials Association, in a statement on behalf of the President’s Council of Suffolk County Officials.
Negrin previously argued that besides fair and equitable fees, it is crucial to establish a robust abuse policy to protect sports officials from any form of mistreatment or harassment.
Combs said that issue was the driving force behind a newly-adopted rule that ejects unruly fans, coaches and players, and even bans anyone penalized from the next scheduled contest.
“This policy should outline clear procedures for reporting incidents, investigate complaints thoroughly and impose appropriate penalties on those found responsible for abuse,” Negrin said. “By implementing such a policy, we can create a safer and more respectful environment for sports officials, promoting their well-being and enabling them to perform their duties effectively.”
The vote for the new contract followed an expedited fact-finding process by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association that began on August 17. It called on a group with representation from each side and the state to review negotiations to this point, evaluate past contracts and make a recommendation.
“I’m excited to see that student-athletes are going to get the opportunity to start their season as scheduled, and that’s the most important part of this entire situation,” NYSPHSAA Executive Director Robert Zayas said. “We try to expedite these types of things when we realize what’s at stake. I think a lot of credit needs to go to the section and the officials for coming together and being able to come to an agreement.”
Section XI and its referees had been unable to reach a deal by the old agreement’s June 30 expiration date, and officials were originally requesting a 33-percent raise. It was an ask Combs said Section XI was not comfortable with, first, being that the organization is a nonprofit, meaning districts foot the bill for the operation, and second, since Suffolk County’s referees are already the highest paid not just in the entire Northeast, but are in the top 10 percent in the country.
Referees and umpires for varsity baseball, basketball, gymnastics, lacrosse, soccer and softball made $124 per game in the first year of their previous contract that went into effect on July 1, 2018 — which included incremental raises — and $131 last season. Varsity football officials made $127 per game in the first year and $134 in the last. Varsity wrestling referees were paid $139 last fall.
Suffolk County’s more than 1,300 officials cost schools $3.3 million in 2022-23, and that number will climb to approximately $3.6 million this school year.
“With the contractual impasse now behind us, the officials will focus their attention on what truly matters — the student-athletes who inspire us each day,” the officials’ statement says. “Our priority is to create an environment that fosters teamwork, sportsmanship and personal excellence. The sports officials will continue to provide the best possible sports experience for our athletes.”
