Even though the ZOOOM App Student Officials Development Campaign Match Challenge runs through April 25, officials and their supporters stepped up and have already crushed the $2,000 match and raised a total of $2,932.50! But the passionate supporters of the student officials training program aren’t ready to blow the whistle and call the game: an anonymous donor has generously offered an additional match of up to $1,000 for donations made through April 25.

Gifts made to the Student Officials Development Campaign provide student officials at the annual NIRSA flag football and basketball championships a high level of evaluation and training by paying for lodging, meals, and on-site transportation for both the student officials and their NIRSA volunteer evaluators.

“The student officials involved in these programs are the future of all levels of officiating,” Kyle Armstrong, Founder and Vice President of ZOOOM, says. “The industry as a whole has been left behind in terms of resources and support for far too long. By supporting these officials at the earliest stage of their career with the tools and opportunities they need to be successful, they will quickly become officiating’s greatest generation.”

The NIRSA Foundation and Student Officials Development Task Force challenged officials and their supporters to get in the competition and support “Team Basketball” or “Team Flag Football.” As of April 3, 2018, Team Flag Football has raised $1,647.50 and Team Basketball has raised $1,285.

Support the future of officiating by making a gift to the Student Officials Development Campaign today. From the donate page, log in with your NIRSA credentials. From the list of funds, select either “Officials – Team Basketball” or “Officials – Team Flag Football.” The group that raises the most money for the student officials development fund gets major bragging rights, and Team Flag Football is currently more than $300 ahead!

We want to know: Are you with Team Flag Football or Team Basketball?

All funds raised support the overall Student Officials Development Campaign and are not separated between Flag Football and Basketball programs, but you can show off your team pride by sharing these images on social media:

  • For more information, please contact NIRSA Director of Philanthropy Kim Holmes.