Jesse Beers Fights for Fair Assignments as Wrestling Official

OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen

Advocacy Beyond Coaching

Jesse Beers, a dedicated teacher and softball coach at Fredonia Central School District, has always fought for equity in the world of athletics. Whether it’s advocating for more coaching positions or improved facilities, Beers consistently voices his opinions. And now, he is standing up for himself.

Highly Ranked Wrestling Official

Beers is one of the highest ranked wrestling officials in Section VI, the governing body for public school athletics in western New York. He is a member of multiple referee associations across Chautauqua County and beyond.

A Decrease in Assignments

Despite the high demand for qualified referees due to shortages across sports nationwide, Beers has noticed a decrease in assignments this year. In previous years, he frequently officiated matches and tournaments outside of Chautauqua County, but this year the offers have been limited.

Referrals Restricted to Southern Tier

Beers, along with another official in Chautauqua County, has only been receiving assignments within the Southern Tier coverage area and slightly beyond. Assignments outside of Chautauqua County have been rare, compared to previous years where Beers officiated in various regions outside of his county.

Concerns and Frustration

Beers believes the decrease in assignments is not related to his officiating ability. He has officiated prestigious tournaments and championships throughout his career. He expresses concerns about the inconsistency of the assignment system and the Section VI’s lack of response.

Travel Stipend Controversy

Beers points out that a $20 travel stipend for out of county officials, in addition to regular compensation, may deter him from receiving regular assignments outside of Chautauqua County. He believes that Section VI is disregarding this issue and not addressing it adequately.

An Unresponsive Authority

Beers attempted to discuss the assigning of referees and the impact of the travel stipend with Section VI Executive Director Mark DiFilippo, but received no response. He feels ignored and believes that Section VI is deliberately avoiding the issue.

A Dishonest Approach

Beers tried to obtain information through the Freedom of Information Law process but learned that it doesn’t apply to Section VI since it is not a government agency. He questions Section VI’s intentions and believes they are hiding something.

Impact on Officiating Quality

Beers emphasizes that the athletes are the ones suffering from the lack of highly qualified officials due to financial constraints. He worries that the rankings of officials will be skewed, leading to unfair evaluations and potentially impacting the quality of officiating in future tournaments and championships.

A Plea for Change

Beers believes that by not assigning officials outside of Chautauqua County, his ranking and the evaluations of other officials will be compromised. He calls for a focus on providing the best officials for the athletes and urges Section VI to address the concerns raised.