Officiating often takes a backseat in sports, rarely receiving the recognition it truly deserves. However, for Julie Caldwell, it became a lifelong passion. Her journey as a referee for ETHS basketball, volleyball, softball, and field hockey highlights the dedication and hard work she has put into her craft, overcoming numerous challenges along the way.
Caldwell’s officiating career began when she umpired a 10-and-under game while she was just 16. Starting at such a young age sparked a passion that would fuel her career for many years. As she grew, she began officiating older age groups during her college years.
“I loved it and started officiating volleyball, basketball, and field hockey, later adding softball,” Caldwell recalls.
In 2003, she began teaching and coaching at ETHS, where she created the first officiating class of its kind in the country. This initiative has since been carried on at ETHS and inspired other high schools to follow her lead, shaping the next generation of officials.
Caldwell’s hard work paid off over the years. She built lasting friendships across the country and had the honor of officiating a softball championship game between the Secret Service and the White House Staff. Additionally, she officiated 11 state-level volleyball tournaments, two state-level basketball tournaments, and numerous championship softball games with USA Softball.
While officiating is rewarding, Caldwell faced her share of challenges, especially as a woman in a male-dominated field.
“As a female referee, I do have to work twice as hard to prove my skills,” she admits.
Another common challenge for officials is handling disagreements with coaches, particularly when calls are questioned. Caldwell learned that effective communication, sound judgment, and proper positioning were essential for making the right calls and diffusing tension.
Now retired, Caldwell has found a healthy balance between officiating, family, travel, and important life events.
“There will always be games to ref, but birthdays, anniversaries, and family trips are special,” she says.
Caldwell recently officiated a softball tournament in Las Vegas and has another one scheduled in Phoenix this coming April.
Reflecting on her career, Caldwell takes pride in the impact she’s had, not only as an official but also as a trailblazer for women in the field. Her journey proves that with dedication and hard work, she has overcome challenges while inspiring others to follow in her footsteps.
