Big Ten Conference recruits women and minorities at spring event

The Big Ten Conference held a clinic in April and invited women and people of color to learn more about being an official in one of college football's biggest conferences. The focus of the clinic was to highlight efforts of diversity, equity and inclusion. https://www.footballzebras.com/2020/10/in-a-year-of-awakening-big-ten-fields-a-historic-officiating-crew/ Former NFL referee and current Big Ten

2 NCAA coaches ejected this season. Are college conferences getting a backbone?

Commentary by Mark Schultz For the second time in the 2021 college football season, a Division I-FBS coach has been ejected for two unsportsmanlike conduct fouls. This past Saturday, Mountain West Conference referee Christian Watson sent Colorado State head coach Steve Addazio to the showers before halftime. https://twitter.com/footballzebras/status/1464804878908276739 While the announcers expressed shock at

NFL announces closer officiating ties with select college conferences

The NFL announced Thursday that it is forming a closer officiating relationship with select college conferences to improve "the officiating pipeline." The goal is to share NFL mechanics, technology and resources with college partners, expand recruiting opportunities, provide more opportunities for women and minorities and strengthen officials' training. The Big Ten, Conference

Big turnover with Big 12 referees

The Big 12 Conference features exciting, up-tempo college football with teams in the national championship hunt almost every season. The conference needs good officials -- especially good referees. Greg Burks, supervisor of officials, had a big challenge this offseason. He had to replace four referees. Cooper Castleberry (19 years), Mike Defee (14