On winter nights in Fairfield, when the band is thundering and the student section is shaking the bleachers, it’s easy to focus entirely on the athletes on the floor. But behind every well-run game stand the people in stripes—officials who keep the contest moving, fair, and safe.
In Fairfield, six of those officials have a story worth telling.
All six began in the 127 Sports Intensity Junior Referee program. Today, they are fully registered members of the Montana Officials Association (MOA), working junior high and youth games while still walking the same school hallways as the players they officiate.
Fairfield’s MOA Officials:
• Deron Lear, Senior
• Travis Cartwright, Senior
• Reed Von Stein, Senior
• Cameron Keel, Freshman
• Ryan Mathison, Freshman
• Beckett Rau, Freshman
They may be teenagers, but together they have become something rare: a homegrown officiating crew that has quietly become one of Fairfield Basketball Club’s most valuable assets.
A Long Road From First Whistle to MOA Status
Their journey began in small gyms—elementary and middle school floors where mistakes echo and parents sit only a few feet away. They learned mechanics and whistle control while teaching young players the rules. They showed up for early-morning tournament games and spent long Saturdays earning experience the hard way.
Over the years they worked youth games, junior high schedules, tournaments, and summer leagues. Most people see a single game; these six see a chance to improve. Their growth is measured in hundreds of game reps across Fairfield and neighboring towns.
Training, Feedback, and a Higher Standard
The JR REF program provided strong fundamentals, but each official went further. All six participated in evaluations from college-level clinicians—people who work deep into postseason and college assignments. Feedback confirmed what Fairfield fans already suspected: these young officials move with purpose, communicate clearly, absorb criticism, and maintain professionalism far beyond their years.
Their willingness to learn and adapt is a major reason they now hold MOA certification. If they choose to pursue higher-level officiating, they already understand what that path requires.
A Local Solution to a Statewide Shortage
Montana, like much of the country, faces a referee shortage. Schedules are strained, JV games shortened, and assignors scramble to staff gyms. Fairfield has chosen a long-term solution: grow officials locally.
The result has real impact. Games get covered. Expectations stay consistent. Younger athletes see older students in stripes and realize officiating is an option for them too. Fairfield can confidently say, “We’re developing officials right here.”
More Than a Side Job
While officiating provides an income, these six gain far more than a paycheck. They are learning to manage conflict, make public decisions, communicate under pressure, handle criticism, and lead in high‑stress environments. These skills will matter long after high school.
A Model for the Future
Fairfield’s officiating pipeline shows what is possible when a community commits to developing young officials. The formula is simple: identify students with potential, train them well, give them meaningful games, connect them with high‑level evaluators, and celebrate their success.
The Next Wave: Jr Ref Clinic Participants
Behind the six MOA officials stands a growing group of Jr Ref clinic attendees: Kohl Barnett, Kyla Cooley, Eli Cowgill, Willa Cowgill, Colton Dahl, Conley Dahl, Kingston Egbert, Natalie Harrell, Grace Helmer, Paige Helmer, Kale Hinderager, Nora Hinderager, Bryce Hooper, Cameron Keel, Madison Keel, Edan Keller, Eve Keller, Angus Lidstrom, Ryan Mathison, Easton Misner, Brynn Neuman, Aundra Passmore, Charlotte Pearson, Jack Rasmussen, Natalie Rasmussen, Beckett Rau, Calder Rosenkrance, Carsten Rosenkrance, Brendon Schenk, Reed Von Stein, Gretta Wilson, Samuel Woodhouse.
Several—Cameron Keel, Ryan Mathison, Beckett Rau, and Reed Von Stein—have already advanced into the MOA ranks. The rest are gaining experience, learning mechanics, and taking their own first steps into officiating.
For Fairfield, this list represents more than names—it represents the future.
A Community Investment Paying Off
Fairfield’s players deliver the highlights, but these young officials ensure the games can continue. Their work today protects the future of local sports. With each whistle, each game covered, and each new official trained, Fairfield’s investment is paying off—now and for years to come.
