In a sports landscape where referee shortages are making headlines across North America, one organization in Albuquerque is quietly reshaping how officials are trained, assigned, and retained—and it’s working.
Dream Big Offiicials, and its training arm, Behind the Flag, are showing that the future of officiating doesn’t depend on quick fixes or short-term recruiting pushes. It’s built on long-term development, structured mentorship, and a simple belief: when you invest in referees, they stay.
While most assignors are scrambling to fill games, Dream Big is focused on building something sustainable. Along the way, they’re also changing the culture of officiating.
Behind the Flag began during the COVID-19 shutdowns, a time when live games stopped, but learning didn’t have to. Started by Dennis Barela, what began as a modest Zoom series quickly grew into a year-round development program, attracting officials from across the country. Now, with over 100 Zoom clinics, the platform has welcomed high-level guests like NFL referees Scott Novak, Brad Rogers, and Land Clark. These sessions offer both new and experienced officials access to insights that were once only available through personal connections. But this effort was never just about sharing knowledge. It created structure and momentum during a time when much of the officiating world had stalled.
Behind the Flag feeds directly into Dream Big Offiicials, and that connection is no coincidence. As the online clinics grew, they naturally supported a local system in need of officials who weren’t just certified, but genuinely prepared to step on the field.
Dream Big isn’t just an assigning service. It’s a nonprofit dedicated to referee development, focused on youth sports and long-term success. Across football, basketball, and baseball, the mission is consistent: train referees with intention, guide them through early challenges, and build a reason to return.
Dennis Barela sums it up well:
“You give them one game, they get yelled at by a coach, they never come back.”
So Dream Big changed the approach. Instead of pushing new refs into tough games right away, they start with support. Newer officials are paired with mentors, offered classroom-style learning, and given games that match their current skill level.
Dream Big actively partners with groups like Protect the Game and Battlefields to Ballfields, helping military veterans transition into officiating with a clear, supportive system. These programs go beyond certification, offering uniforms, structured training, and long-term guidance.
Barela sees the value in that sustained investment:
“You give a veteran three years of support—you’re keeping that guy for ten years.”
The same philosophy applies to students and first-time officials. Rather than being treated like short-term fill-ins, new referees are developed with care. They start with manageable games, receive thoughtful evaluations, and are placed on a growth path from the start.
Mentorship is often talked about in officiating—but Dream Big brings it to life.
As Barela explains:
“A mentor isn’t just somebody who tells you what to do. A mentor is somebody that’s training you to take their job.”
This mindset shapes the leadership model across both Dream Big and Behind the Flag. Officials who come through the system are encouraged to share what they’ve learned and support the next generation.
Dream Big’s approach to assigning games isn’t just about who’s available. Assignments consider readiness, proximity, crew chemistry, and reliability.
Turnbacks and mix-ups can happen, but the system is built to handle those moments with minimal disruption. That’s possible because the program emphasizes preparation and depth from the start.
At its core, the culture promotes accountability. Officials are expected to take ownership—of their schedules, their development, and their role in the broader officiating community.
What separates Dream Big and Behind the Flag from traditional models is clear: they focus on more than just covering games. The goal is to create a better experience for the officials stepping onto the field or court.
That means smarter training, real mentorship, and thoughtful assignments. It means treating officials like people, not just puzzle pieces in a schedule.
And it’s working. Officials are improving. New referees are sticking with it. And leagues are benefitting from crews who are more prepared, more confident, and more committed to the long haul.
The system is already working—and now, others are starting to take notice.
