The biggest problem facing lacrosse right now is officiating.
And before you nod in agreement and bemoan bad calls you saw this year, it’s not what the men and women in stripes are doing that is the problem.
It’s the shortage of men and women in stripes.
The problem is not unique to lacrosse — an evaporating pool of high school referees and officials affects seemingly all high school and interscholastic sports — but it is particularly acute to the sport. Growth of the game has overwhelmed the aging pool of available, trained officials.
The number of athletes is growing, more towns and schools are starting programs — or adding teams to their existing lineup — and it has sent the number of games (and offseason tournaments) skyrocketing.
The pool of officials isn’t keeping pace. Not even close, literally and figuratively.
