Minnesota Official Makes State Tournament History
By The Post-Bulletin on March 24, 2016 officials Print
On March 9, without fanfare or hoopla, Mary Jane Wagenson walked onto the court at Williams Arena and became the first woman to officiate a Minnesota boys state basketball tournament game. Wagenson, 54, teaches at RCTC and has been officiating in the Minnesota State High School League since 1987. She recently she spoke with the P-B about life behind the whistle.
How many games do you work each basketball season?
I probably work about 30 high school games and 30 women's college games, in Division II and Division III. I also umpire high school and collegiate softball, also in Division II and Division III.
How does a referee prepare for a big basketball game?
That game, that night, is the most important thing to those athletes, and coaches and fans. It doesn't matter if you're working a game on Nov. 30 or March 10, you have to be prepared. So we try to get there early and have a pre-game meeting where we talk about play situations, coverages, new rules and how they're applied and implemented. So, when we walk on the court, it's not like every time something happens it's a big surprise and we have to figure out what to do.
How have things changed for female officials during the past three decades?
Back in 1987 and '88, when I would go to a game and the school was new to me, some schools didn't bat an eye, but I had one school where they looked at me and said, 'Wow, what are we going to do with you?' Some schools didn't have changing facilities for me, so I've changed in janitorial closets and public restrooms. Most schools were very receptive, but it was a new concept. As I continued to officiate and got to know the coaches and athletic directors, people were very accommodating.
Did you have to have especially thick skin back then?
People were seeing a woman in an unfamiliar role, so yes, I had to have pretty thick skin. But in today's world, all officials have to have thick skin. The coaches are pretty good for the most part, but sometimes the fans get a little rabid. Some of them are very creative, and we officials get a chuckle out of some of the things the fans come up with.
How tough are the physical demands on an official?
Well, when you go out to work a regular-season game, you're going to work the B game and the varsity game, so you tie your shoes and get onto the court at 5:45 or 6 p.m, and you're going to be running until 9 or 9:30. I used to dread the end of September, when I had to start running again to get back into shape for the season. So about 15 years ago, I'm like, 'This is too painful,' so I just kept running year-round.
Is it getting tougher?
Of course it is. The kids are bigger, faster and stronger, and they're still in the same age brackets, but I keep having birthdays!
Do officials ever lose sleep over a game?
Absolutely we do. We want to get it right. Many times we are our own harshest critics. We're always talking back and forth with each other about plays and situations that come up in games, trying to learn from each other.
How did it feel to be the first female official to work a game at the boys state tournament?
It was a thrill, hopefully opening doors for other people down the road. But on the other hand, it was a game — we prepared the same way and we went out and wanted to do our best. And the fact is, today there are a lot of outstanding female officials in our state, and it could have been any one of them that did this, but it just happened to be me. Really, any time you're asked to work a state tournament game of any kind, it's an honor.
The Post-Bulletin
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