Spring Branch ISD Featured News

As an umpire himself, Michael Dorantes, AP Government team lead at Spring Woods High School (SWHS), understood the importance of team sports officiating. In 2017, he pitched the Future Officials Academy program to Jennifer Collier, former SWHS principal, and started a pilot during students’ T-2-4 period.  

In the class, students learned how to officiate games, enforce rules, make judgment calls on games and handle disciplinary actions. The pilot program turned out to be a success, as students greatly enjoyed learning about team sports officiating. 

The Future Officials Academy was added to the course catalog in the Physical Education department and students were able to select it as an elective during the 2018-19 school year. 

Dorantes is now SWHS’ Future Officials Academy coordinator and has had more than 100 students pass through the program, who have officiated more than 60 paid games since 2017. 

“The Future Officials Academy builds interpersonal and leadership skills while involving students in the community,” said Dorantes. “Learning a trade is important for students and officiating games is a great way for students to build their character, while also getting monetarily rewarded.” 

In the class, students learn the rules and regulations of team sports including soccer, basketball, baseball, softball, football and volleyball, among others. They work alongside their peers to gain experience and practice officiating situations. Students also observe and evaluate other officials by attending athletic games. 

Professional officials also visit the classroom and speak to students about their career paths. Dorantes notes that many students have gone on to become certified auxiliary members of the Texas Association of Sports Officials - Houston Chapter, where they are paid to work games at districts across the Houston area. Students also officiate games from youth leagues, like the Spring Branch-Memorial Sports Association. 

The Future Officials Academy helps students develop the Core Characteristics of a T-2-4 Ready Graduate, as it enables them to become Communicators & Collaborators. 

“Officiating games is not only fun, but it also prepares students to interact on a more personal level with others,” added Dorantes. “When they interact with coaches, athletes and other officials, they develop confidence, which is essential in their future endeavors.”