Senior Andrew Kumpf has grown up around refereeing. Whether on the court as a basketball player or when he was younger as a football player, Kumpf is no stranger to the men and women who wear black and white. 

In addition, at home, he has grown up with his dad, elementary gym teacher Tyler Kumpf, who works as a professional referee for men’s NCAA basketball games. Tyler has been a referee since 1995, and last year was a referee for the March Madness Tournament. 

As a junior, Andrew took the officiating class that his dad taught. 

“I decided to take the class because I was interested in officiating,” said Andrew.

He learned a lot about officiating mechanics, such as signals and rules. He said the most difficult part of the class was remembering the rules of the game.  

“He was just like any other teacher and if any think he was harder on me because he wants me to do well,” said Andrew.

Taking the class did not automatically qualify him to be a referee. The IHSAA requires that individuals wanting to referee JV and Varsity games pass a test that evaluates the rules and mechanics of the game. Andrew can referee elementary and junior high games for the experience. 

“Once I get more experience under my belt I will take the test,” said Andrew. 

Andrew plans to follow in his dad’s footsteps and referee basketball someday. 

“My dad referring has had a big impact on me, and that is why I’m so interested in it,” said Andrew. “My dad is the main reason I want to be a referee.”

His dream is to referee in the  NBA, but he also hopes to referee in the NCAA as well. 

“Like my dad does, I could see myself doing it on the side as a secondary job,” said Andrew. “Working your way up from high school to college, my dad has been doing it for 28 years and just a few years ago he got to all Division 1.”

Andrew plans to attend Indiana University and study exercise science, but he is still determining what career path he will take after that.