Officials working Thursday’s game will be (from left) Kristi Wilson, Sarita Stamps, Mary Margaret Montgomery, MaryAnn Menlove and Nina Berbiglia. (Photo courtesy Orange County Football Officials Assocation).
It will be an historic week for football in Orange County.
The Orange County Football Officials Association will make history on Thursday, Oct. 1 when an all‑female officiating crew works a CIF varsity football Tango League game between La Quinta and Santiago at Garden Grove.
This game marks the first time in Orange County’s history that a varsity contest will be officiated entirely by women, the association said in a release to the media.
The crew will include referee Mary Margaret Montgomery, umpire MaryAnn Menlove, head lines Kristi Wilson, line judge Nina Berbiglia and back judge Sarita Stamps.
In a statement, the association said:
“OCFOA has worked tirelessly to expand recruitment, training and mentorship opportunities for women interested in football officiating. All five of these women officials have worked numerous varsity games alongside their male OCFOA colleagues. Oct. 1 marks the first time all five will work together on a varsity game.
“I feel honored to be the crew chief on this first‑ever all‑female OCFOA officiating crew,” Mary Margaret Montgomery said. “These officials have been working hard to improve their skills, and it is thrilling to have OCFOA put us on the field together. We are so excited to work together.
“The message I hope this sends to women who may be interested in pursuing officiating is ‘come and join us.’ Don’t let anything stop you and keep pursuing what you love to do.
“What I want for coaches players and the community to know about this milestone in women’s officiating is that women know and love the game of football and can become excellent officials if given the chance and mentorship. We want to be judged and rated on the same standards; mechanics or positioning on the field, application of the rules, and professionalism and humility on and off the field.”
“I hope schools, fans, and the broader community see what we see; officials who are on that field because they are outstanding at what they do,” said OCFOA President James Stickney.
“Their assignment is not symbolic, it is earned. I also hope this inspires young women watching from the stands or considering officiating for the first time. Representation matters, and this crew sends a powerful message that they belong here.”
“The Orange County Football Officials Association provides certified officials for CIF‑Southern Section high school football games throughout Orange County, the organization added in its release. “OCFOA is dedicated to training, developing and supporting officials at all levels while promoting integrity, professionalism and excellence in officiating.”
La Quinta is 3-2 overall and 2-1 in league play while is Santiago 2-3 overall and 1-2 in league.
Four teams from the nine-team league advance to the CIF playoffs.
Send football news to timburt@ocsportszone.com
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