CYO Athletics

Become an Official

Find information on what CYO looks for in officials, as well as required training.

What We Look For

Officials play a vital role in CYO by contributing in a positive way to the development of young people. CYO Officials must have current sport credentials while demonstrating good character, integrity and a lack of personal bias. CYO officials are expected to be knowledgeable of CYO and sport rules and they are to apply these rules in ways that uphold the development of the child and the fairness of the contest as primary values.

Officials represent the Mission, Values and Philosophy of CYO through their professional attire, presence, and interaction with coaches, staff and spectators. Officials must conduct themselves according to the state guidelines for the safety of children and the Official’s Code of Ethics.

CYO is proud to operate the CYO Official's Academy that trains high school youth to officiate basketball and volleyball games for children in the lower grades. High school students interested in becoming CYO Academy officials may contact the CYO office to learn more.

Officiating Requirements

All contest officials assigned to regular season, tournament competitions and sanctioned events must meet the following requirements:

• Be certified by an organization approved by the CYO Athletic Administration
• Register with the Diocese of Cleveland CYO Athletic Office according to the administrative procedures determined by CYO
• Complete Concussion in Sports, an online course required to maintain compliance with the Ohio Return-to-Play law. Click the button below to learn more about the course.

Concussion Awareness Course

Payment for Officiating

The Diocese of Cleveland CYO uses ArbiterSports to pay CYO officials.

All CYO officials are registered in ArbiterSports by CYO assignors. Once registration is complete, officials will receive a welcome letter and additional information and instructions.

CYO officials are responsible for creating their own ArbiterPay account in order to receive payment for games worked.

Click the button below for more information and instruction on how to set up your ArbiterPay account.

ArbiterPay Instructions