Social Media Guidelines, Officials Code of Ethics, & Conflict of Interests

Anti Social

Social media and sports officials are increasingly colliding, creating new risks that officials at every level must understand and manage carefully. As officials, social media is great for keeping track of the comings and goings of family and friends. But used improperly, it can be our worst enemy.

MHSAA Social Media Guidelines

As social media and networking continue to increase in popularity, MHSAA Registered officials must understand the importance of participating in various communication platforms in an appropriate and ethical manner befitting the position of an impartial arbiter. Violations of the standards included in this guideline, which are determined as unbecoming of an official and in violation of the “Code for Athletic Officials,” may cause the suspension of an official’s registration with the MHSAA.

  1. Officials should always treat social media communications as public, even if they are created with private intentions. Electronic communications are never completely removed from platforms, and you should expect that your communications may be read by anyone at any time.
  2. Officials should recognize their conduct online reflects on local associations, assigners, partners, and the wider officiating community.
  3. Officials serve as ambassadors and should promote the avocation in a positive light by expressing pride and professionalism in online and social media communications.
  4. Officials may not malign or openly criticize another MHSAA official in any form of public or shared electronic communication. Such actions are unprofessional and undermine the sports officiating avocation.
  5. Officials may not post or publicize critical comments about players, coaches, administrators, or schools for which they work.
  6. Officials may not engage in online communication that purports to be speaking on behalf of the MHSAA.
  7. Officials should not engage in online debate or discussion about specific plays, rulings, or controversies in which they were involved.
  8. Officials should avoid publicly posting specific details for their (or other’s) game assignments prior to the conclusion of the contest.
  9. Officials have unique access to privileged information and should not share other officials’ personal details or assignment information without their expressed consent.
  10. Officials shall never have personal electronic communication devices on their person during a contest and should never record or simulcast live action of a contest unless permission is granted by the schools and/or the MHSAA. In potential or expected emergency situations, officials should leave their phones with the school administrator.
  11. Officials are prohibited from connecting with students (“follow”, “friend request”, direct message, etc.) on any social media platform, which includes public sites, private sites, and direct messages of any kind with high school or junior high/middle school students.
  12. Officials shall not commit any acts or omissions that would be detrimental to the best interests of the MHSAA, officiating colleagues, the schools, or athletes involved in MHSAA activities.
NASO Social Media Guidelines

NASO social media guidelines closely aligns to the MHSAA. As a registered MHSAA sports official, you are a member of the National Sports Officials Association (NASO) and as such these guidelines apply to you. You must refrain from commenting (negative or positive) on social media regarding all sporting events, not just high school. This includes other states, collegiate, and professional.

  • Consider social media communications as public at all times — even if created with private intentions. If you are going to use social media in any form, consider your communication may be read by anyone at anytime.
  • You represent the officiating industry, your associations, your assigners and your partners. Act accordingly.
  • Promote officiating in a positive light and with a general feeling of pride and professionalism. You are an ambassador for officiating.
  • You have a unique access to information. The same ethical restrictions that apply to any form of public speech also apply to social media. It is inappropriate to communicate specifics about your assignments, other officials, conferences/schools, coaches, players or any related personnel.
  • Do not engage in specific play and or ruling evaluation/commentary, whether it be of a game you worked, one that you witnessed or in general about the impact of officials in any sporting event.
  • Communications among officials for learning purposes should be done privately and not through the use of social media. Be mindful that email and other forms of direct communication can be made public.
  • Be very sparing in the sharing of your personal information, including photos. Adjust security settings accordingly. Report fake profiles or posts to the appropriate authorities/governing bodies in a timely fashion.
  • Follow specific conference, school and/or governing body social media policies.
MHSAA Code of Ethics

MHSAA officials are expected to maintain a certain level of competency by remaining current in rules knowledge and application, officiating theory and philosophy, and mechanics, signals, and techniques. Officials should display professionalism, focus, composure, dependability, consistency, and contest management skills.  hey should be approachable and good communicators but should avoid unnecessary fraternization with coaches or players.

Officiating, like any other avocation, requires time and experience to reach the upper echelons. It is the goal of the MHSAA that the most qualified officials officiate our postseason tournaments in each sport. While skills in judgment and accuracy are important, they only make up part of the package of a quality official. The  best officials have a firm knowledge of rules and their practical application, have strong relationship and communication skills, understand that all officiating decisions begin with timing, and utilize common sense and fair play in enforcement.

  1. Register with the MHSAA each year on a timely basis (by deadline) and attend all required meetings and training. Officials will not work interscholastic contests with officials who do not hold current registration in the sport.
  2. Join and actively participate in a Local Approved Association for Officials (see mhsaa.com for a listing of associations around the state).
  3. Accept contracts and officiate contests for which they are qualified and experienced. They shall execute and honor contracts in a timely and ethical manner, and complete reports and follow-up obligations resulting from a contest.
  4. Be prepared, physically and mentally, to officiate according to the principles and philosophy promoted by the MHSAA.
  5. Not use or possess tobacco or tobacco-like products including e-cigarettes or other devices of any kind within sight of players and spectators; neither shall the use of alcohol, marijuana, or other intoxicants (even if otherwise legal) be permitted on the day of and prior to the contest.
  6. Cultivate professional relationships with partners, players, coaches, administrators, and spectators. Refrain from commenting to the media, especially statements concerning decisions made during the contest.
  7. Commit to a personal lifestyle that avoids sexual misconduct, use of illicit drugs, and public abuse of alcohol, and will not in other ways impinge upon your perception in the community to fulfill the obligations and standards of the MHSAA “Code for Athletic Officials.”
  8. Officiate according to the rules and manuals adopted for MHSAA competition. Officials should be willing to acknowledge and correct one’s own errors, hold firm to correct but unpopular decisions and support the decisions of other officials. Officials shall not publicly criticize the decisions or actions of other officials,  including disparaging other officials to school administrators or coaches.
  9. Exercise self-control always and guard against baiting or taunting, which may generate a loss of poise or demeanor that can erode the professionalism expected of officials in even the most difficult circumstances.
  10. Hold to and maintain the basic tenets of officiating, which include honesty, integrity, neutrality, respect, sensitivity, professionalism, discretion, and tactfulness.
MHSAA Conflict of Interests

Neutrality is paramount for an official to maintain integrity and credibility, and avoiding even the appearance of partiality should be considered in every assignment accepted in both the regular season and postseason tournament. It is the official’s responsibility to notify their assigner (regular season) or tournament manager (postseason tournament) when a possible conflict of interest arises, so that a possible change in assignment may occur. All potential conflicts are not equal and depend on the sport and the circumstance. An official’s residence should not be considered a conflict of interest. Additionally, it will not be considered a conflict if a student participating in the “Legacy” Program officiates contests at their junior high/middle school. The following list is not exhaustive, and officials should use their best judgment in determining whether a conflict exists. Some potential conflicts include:

  1. The official’s child attends or is a recent graduate, i.e., within 4 years of a participating school.
  2. Official (or immediate family member) is a current or former staff member, i.e., teacher, coach, employee, or board member, at a participating school. NOTE: An exception may be considered for cross country, track & field, and/or swimming & diving.
  3. Official serves in a formal advisory capacity for a team in the specific sport within 12 months of officiating a participating team.
    NOTE: This is not intended to discourage officials from participating in preseason sportsmanship programs, being invited to discuss rule changes or interpretations, or officiating preseason scrimmages.
  4. The official has a close connection or relationship with the coach of a participating school.
  5. The official is a recent graduate, i.e., within 4 years, or a closely connected alumni of a participating school.
  6. The official is a varsity coach in the sport he/she officiates.
    NOTE: Varsity coaches are limited to officiating only in the first round of the sport-specific postseason tournament. Potential school conflicts should be routinely updated in the MHSAA system.
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