Her Call Podcast

I had a great chat with Becky Petre from Denver, Colorado, this month. She is a flag football, field hockey, and lacrosse official, and an assignor for these sports as well.

Becky talks about the rise of flag football in Colorado and what it means for girls’ sports. And she shares what it’s been like to become a sports official later in life.

Becky is a great advocate for girls’ sports—I hope you enjoy this episode!

By the way, Becky was featured on the NFHS website in an article I mention in the episode. You can read it here.

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Do you want to become a sports official? If you live in Nebraska, you can visit nsaahome.org for more information. To find contact information for a state association in another state, click here.

You can subscribe to Her Call at hercall.substack.com (it's free!). Click the link to learn more!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hercall.substack.com

What a pleasure it was to talk with Pro Volleyball Official Suzanne Lowry! Her resume is long and impressive, but she is best known for her role in the Nebraska Stadium Match on August 30, 2023. Also known as “Volleyball Day in Nebraska”, this event made headlines around the world. Suzanne was the lead official on this match, and she tells the detailed story from her side of the whistle in this episode.

We also talk about preparation and how to handle mistakes, and Suzanne’s wisdom is golden in these areas. But we couldn’t cover it all, so for more from Suzanne, I recommend that you listen to her interview on the From A to Zebra podcast. You can find the podcast on Apple Podcasts here, on Spotify here, and on YouTube here.

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Do you want to become a sports official? If you live in Nebraska, you can visit nsaahome.org for more information. To find contact information for a state association in another state, click here.

You can subscribe to Her Call at hercall.substack.com (it's free!). Click the link to learn more!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hercall.substack.com

What a treat it was to interview this month’s guest on the podcast—Hillary Vanness from Omaha, Nebraska! In six short years, Hillary has gone from “line-judging for a few extra dollars” to manning the referee stand in the Pinnacle Arena for the Nebraska State Volleyball Tournament. Last year was Hillary’s first taste of the big stage as an official; the previous two years she got her feet wet as a line judge at the tournament.

You’re going to love Hillary. She’s so kind, so positive, and, as I say, a “bright light” in the officiating world. She opens up about balancing being a mom to a toddler and officiating, and shares encouragement for those who might want to give officiating a try.

As the saying goes, “the kids are alright”, and Hillary, an up-and-comer with a bright future, proves that point. Enjoy!

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Do you want to become a sports official? If you live in Nebraska, you can visit nsaahome.org for more information. To find contact information for a state association in another state, click here.

You can subscribe to Her Call at hercall.substack.com (it's free!). Click the link to learn more!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hercall.substack.com

Beth Nolz from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, joined me on the Her Call podcast this month. She is a softball umpire doing big things, both on the college scene and with USA Softball.

I’m so glad to platform Beth’s experience with the National Umpire School and her biggest accomplishment (to date) with USA Softball. She is the real deal, and you will definitely learn something new from this one! I hope you enjoy.

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Do you want to become a sports official? If you live in Nebraska, you can visit nsaahome.org for more information. To find contact information for a state association in another state, click here.

You can subscribe to Her Call at hercall.substack.com (it's free!). Click the link to learn more!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hercall.substack.com

It is my pleasure to platform Leslie Tamayo, a wrestling official from Tucson, Arizona! Leslie has officiated matches at the collegiate and international levels and is a leader in her field.

We had a great conversation about the nitty-gritty of moving up on the mat, as well as how Leslie meets the challenges of motherhood and her full-time job alongside the pressures of officiating.

Leslie will be working at “Fargo”, otherwise known as the U.S. Marine Corps Junior Nationals, July 9-18. She talks about the significance of this event and how she’s seen the number of women officials rise over the years.

It’s a great convo! Enjoy :)

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Do you want to become a sports official? If you live in Nebraska, you can visit nsaahome.org for more information. To find contact information for a state association in another state, click here.

You can subscribe to Her Call at hercall.substack.com (it's free!). Click the link to learn more!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hercall.substack.com

What a pleasure it was to talk with track official Wendy Wortmann from Hartington, NE, who is fresh off another Nebraska State Track Meet. After a storied track career as an athlete at Doane, Wendy started working as a track official and has logged 21 straight years at the annual championships in Nebraska.

Wendy and I talk about what it takes to be a good track official, how to balance her love of track with her job and family, and what brings her joy in this avocation. It’s a great conversation, and I hope you enjoy.

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Do you want to become a sports official? If you live in Nebraska, you can visit nsaahome.org for more information. To find contact information for a state association in another state, click here.

You can subscribe to Her Call at hercall.substack.com (it's free!). Click the link to learn more!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hercall.substack.com

I am thrilled to put this podcast into the world! Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling is a former NBA official with a pretty amazing officiating resume. But what strikes me even more is Lauren’s thoughtfulness and wisdom—and you will see what I mean when you listen in!

Lauren worked in the NBA for 10 years, as the third female to ever don the stripes in the league. She talks about the journey that brought her into arenas with thousands, and you’ll find her start was not unlike so many who have wondered what it might be like to dip their toe into officiating.

You will find Lauren relatable, and I guarantee you will learn something new through this conversation. It is my privilege to share this with you.

Enjoy!

Check out the Refmasters platform at https://www.refmasters.com/. Lauren runs the RefWell space! You can also find content at the RefMasters substack here: https://refmasters.substack.com/

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Do you want to become a sports official? If you live in Nebraska, you can visit nsaahome.org for more information. To find contact information for a state association in another state, click here.

You can subscribe to Her Call at hercall.substack.com (it's free!). Click the link to learn more!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hercall.substack.com

On the podcast this month is Brittney Hageman from Omaha, Nebraska! Brittney is an accomplished soccer official who works both high school and NCAA Division I matches. Of her many accolades, none compares to her “soccer grand slam.” Listen in to learn more about this amazing achievement!

Brittney also gives back to the game through her work with the Nebraska Referee Development Program, where she trains and mentors the next generation of soccer officials.

We had a great conversation about communication on the pitch (or court), and Brittney shares her thoughts on what makes officiating such a gift. I loved talking with Brittney, and I’m so excited to share this with you—enjoy!

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Do you want to become a sports official? If you live in Nebraska, you can go to nsaahome.org to find more information. To find contact information for a state association in another state, click here.

You can subscribe to Her Call at hercall.substack.com (it's free!). Click the link to learn more!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hercall.substack.com

Greta Langhenry is a two-time honors graduate of the Wendelstedt Umpire School and the MiLB Advanced Course. In 2019, Greta became the first female umpire in history to work in the Coastal Plain League and the Florida Collegiate Summer League.1

That being said, Greta is, first and foremost, a flat-out good human being.

Harry would be so proud.

And I’m proud to know her as well.

Muhammad Ali said, “Service to others is the rent you pay for room here on earth,” and I cannot think of anyone who exemplifies this more than Greta. She created Level Ump to serve aspiring female baseball umpires who “want to know they belong.” And she recognizes that baseball is a game that can transcend even the most heinous injustices with her Manzanar project.

Take a listen. It will be 43 minutes you won’t regret.

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Do you want to become a sports official? If you live in Nebraska, you can go to nsaahome.org to find more information. To find contact information for a state association in another state, click here.

You can subscribe to Her Call at hercall.substack.com (it's free!). Click the link to learn more!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hercall.substack.com

If there’s one thing I hope you’ve learned from this podcast, it’s that officiating takes grit, and Christin Benson is chock-full of it. Christin is a high school and college wrestling official from Omaha, Nebraska. Although she has worn the stripes for a short period, she brings insight and perspective well beyond her years of experience.

Christin and I had a great discussion about overcoming doubt, the benefit of joining confidence with humility, and how she’s established her place in a male-dominated sport.

This is a great listen, not just for aspiring female wrestling officials, but for any aspiring official from any sport. Christin is authentic, tough-minded, and deeply committed to her craft—you won’t regret spending time with this episode.

Also, be sure to check out THIS piece I posted in August about Christin’s experience in “Fargo”.

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Do you want to become a sports official? If you live in Nebraska, you can go to nsaahome.org to find more information. To find contact information for a state association in another state, click here.

You can subscribe to Her Call at hercall.substack.com (it's free!). Click the link to learn more!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hercall.substack.com