In youth sports, officiating systems often prioritize logistics: cover the games, fill the schedule, move to the next. But for the MinnDak Officials Consortium (MinnDak), led in part by Joe Kulas, the focus is long-term: investing in referees as people, not placeholders. It’s about development, mentorship, and building a structure where officials can grow, thrive, and come back season after season.
Joe Kulas began officiating in high school and college, starting with baseball and then basketball. He quickly found that he valued both the challenge and the community that came with the role. Over time, his interest evolved from simply participating to helping manage and mentor others.
When a friend and colleague, Brandon Walsh, took on more scheduling duties from the group’s founder, Jordan Stevens, Kulas stepped in. “Why don’t we just do this together?” he recalled. “It’s been great… a great way to grow our group, to help grow the profession.”
At MinnDak, assigning is not about slotting people into games—it’s about putting the right officials in the right environments.
“We can pair young guys with experienced guys that know how to instruct properly,” Kulas said. That often includes reaching out to coaches in advance when a newer official is working a game and setting expectations. “Brandon’s got a great line: ‘Don’t be the reason this is their first and only year.’”
That simple line carries weight. “Coaches usually get it,” Kulas said. “They know we need officials.”
This year, MinnDak introduced an opt-in evaluation system for officials at any level. “If you want to get better, let us know,” Kulas explained. “We’re not going to surprise anyone—we only evaluate if someone wants it.”
The goal is to offer feedback that helps officials understand where they stand and how they can improve, especially when they’re aiming to work more competitive games. “It’s frustrating when people aren’t getting feedback and don’t know why they’re not getting varsity games,” he said.
Kulas also emphasized the value of film study. “One good thing that came out of COVID is that now almost every game is streamed. Officials can watch themselves and share clips. It’s the best way to get better.”
Recognizing the need for long-term recruitment, Kulas is working to launch a for-credit officiating class at the high school where he teaches.
“There’s actually a course the state recognizes,” he said. “We’d teach football, basketball, volleyball, and baseball or softball.”
The class aims to build both knowledge and interest among students—and potentially launch future careers. “I’ve told some of the girls I’ve seen work, if you want to do this, you could probably be a Division I football official pretty quickly,” Kulas said. “Some people just have it.”
Across different sports, the availability and quality of officials varies. “Basketball—we were very happy with our numbers this year,” Kulas said. “We had about six new officials who could do varsity games. That makes a huge difference.”
Other sports, however, present challenges. “Volleyball—we’re really hurting,” he explained. “We have a lot of games and not enough officials. There’s not a natural pool forming.”
Soccer and baseball have also posed difficulties, especially with weather, seasonal burnout, and game duration affecting officials’ willingness to commit. “Baseball games can be long, and the weather can be tough. That’s a factor.”
Kulas is adamant about one thing: officials and assigners must be compensated fairly.
“I wouldn’t do the assigning work for free,” he said. “You’re providing a service. Schools need you. Don’t undervalue that.”
In North Dakota, he explained, officials are paid according to a state-regulated “maximum fee scale,” which can lead to situations where longer, more demanding games are paid less than shorter ones. “We were getting paid more for basketball than baseball. That’s backwards,” he said.
MinnDak pushed for and received a $25 raise per baseball game this year, but challenges remain. “If you want more people to do it, you have to compensate appropriately,” he said. “Kids today can make $20 an hour working at Walmart. Why would they officiate if we can’t match that?”
For those just entering officiating, Kulas encourages patience and persistence. “Try it—and don’t quit after one or two games. Get with someone who can teach you. Anyone can learn to be an official.”
He also highlights the flexibility of the job. “You don’t need to officiate five days a week. Maybe just two. Make your own schedule. It’s a great way to stay involved in the game.”
To assigners, especially new ones, his message is clear: don’t give your time away. “Don’t do it for free. Use a system that helps you manage things. There are better tools than spreadsheets.”
He added that schools often won’t object to compensation. “When I finally asked to be paid for a youth tournament I had always done for free, they didn’t even blink. They just said, ‘Yeah, of course.’”
Ultimately, what sets MinnDak apart is its commitment to creating a culture where people enjoy officiating and feel valued for it.
“You’re going to get exercise, you’re going to be around people you like, and you’re going to make money,” Kulas said. “It’s a good group. The people that get into officiating are generally really good people.”
And while he jokes about officiating being reality-TV-worthy, it’s clear that what MinnDak is building is no performance. It’s a model for sustainable, supportive growth in officiating.
