South Bend students offered officiating program during nationwide referee shortage

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- As youth sports face a nationwide referee shortage, the South Bend Community School Corporation is taking action to fix it.

South Bend Schools is now in its third year of the Student Officiating Program, aimed at addressing the nationwide referee shortage.

Teens can earn high school credit while learning the rules of sports and hands-on learning and skills of leadership, communication and composure.

The course has partnerships with youth leagues like River City Basketball and MSA soccer.

Officials say they can't wait to see the program grow for years to come.