Welcome to Art of Officiating
My name is Mark and I’ve officiated high school football since 2007. In 2026, I will begin my 19th year of officiating.
Teaching and training are my passions and I started this website to share the officiating knowledge I’ve learned over the past 18+ years. I enjoy mentoring officials and ArtofOfficiating.com is intended to be a free resource for high school football officials to learn and develop.
I have been blessed with outstanding mentors who have contributed to high school athletics for decades. I want to capture their golden nuggets and the precepts I’ve learned in this website.
Sports officiating is an art and a science and I do not believe any of us can know everything about officiating high school football. There is always room to learn and grow. Hopefully, you can find a nugget or two of wisdom in the posts, videos, and courses on this website.
I currently serve as the Colorado Springs Football Officials Association Vice President – Area Director, Crew Chief and Training Director. I’ve also officiated high school basketball, girl’s lacrosse, and men’s semi-pro football. In 2017 and 2021, I had the honor of officiating the Colorado 4A State Championship games, and in 2024, I refereed the 2A State Championship game.
In 2007, after returning to Colorado Springs from a 2-year Air Force assignment in Korea, I desired to reconnect with high school football. My son had played for multiple years in the early 2000s, and I enjoyed watching his games and occasionally running the chains. I love to compete, and my body was getting too old to continue with high-level softball games.
I retired from the Air Force in 2011 after a 24-year career and retired in 2023 from a 12-year Department of Defense contracting job. Many of my assignments involved teaching and training, including two assignments at the Air Force Academy and an instructor position at the Space Education and Training Center.
My wife Jenny and I will celebrate our 42nd wedding anniversary in June 2026. I enjoy playing Texas Holdem when I’m not watching football plays or working on this website.
I want to thank George Demetriou, Mark VanGampleare, Randy Hodges, Scott Rone, and Brian Clute who have contributed content, insight, and interpretations.