Officials' Appreciation Week for fall sports is celebrated October 2-8. This special week is one of the numerous initiatives that are being implemented as part of the Division III Commissioners Association (DIIICA) Strategic Plan for Collegiate Officiating that was created as a result of the DIIICA's Strategic Analysis of the State of Collegiate Officiating.
Eva Stebel, a 2019 College of Wooster chemistry alumna, is a volleyball official. The former Fighting Scots' defensive specialist works at the club, high school, and college levels. Stebel has officiated matches in the Ohio Athletic Conference, Mid-American Conference, Big 12 Conference, and Mid-South Conference.
Where and how did you get your start as an official?
I went on the Ohio Valley Region website and signed up for a clinic to become a USA Volleyball club official. Then I started looking into high school officiating through the Ohio High School Athletic Association and collegiate officiating through Professional Association of Volleyball Officials.
Why did you decide to become an official?
I wanted to continue to be involved in the volleyball community and give back to the sport.
Take us through your journey of working your way up to become an official at the level you currently are at?
USA Volleyball has different certification levels based on experience. I started as a junior regional official and worked my way up to becoming a regional official. Once I became a regional official and started working harder matches, I got involved in collegiate officiating.
What do you enjoy the most about being an official?
I enjoy working with the kids and watching high level volleyball.
What would you tell someone who is considering officiating?
I know officiating sounds daunting but it is actually fun. I found some great friends and mentors, and the volleyball official family is very tight knit. We are also desperate for more young, female officials. If you play volleyball, you already know the game, so it is pretty easy to learn how to officiate and you can move up quickly.
If you are interested in becoming an official, please click on one of the links below to get started:
-NCAA Officiating Interest Form
-Become a Sports Official
-Become a High School Official