Officiating Runs in the Family - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Officiating Runs in the Family

    Basketball officials can be a game changer--
    for one former player-- she's using her experience to call the game she loves.

Ever since I was a little girl I used to sit at the scorers table with all of the scorers table people now that I go, they say you used to be here watching now you're reffing it's great."
Carlie Buechler has spent her life playing the game she loves-- with her dad supporting her through the ranks.
(CARLIE)"In middle school it was like one of my desires and he said I didn't have to play if I didn't want to but it was my love and then in high school that was something I always wanted to do in college. I figured not everyone gets the opportunity to play college basketball."
After playing at BSC for two years-- Carlie is a student now at U-Mary, with little time for playing or coaching.
But she found a way to stay in the game... officially.
(CARLIE)"I'm in school so I would like to coach but reffing is kind of not so busy time and is a great way to stay involved with the sport."
 Even though she is fairly new to wearing the stripes-- Carlie still makes sure to have confidence in all of her calls.
That--along with being the only female official in Bismarck--has grabbed many people's attention.
(CARLIE)"Many many man fans say well i don't see many females and i've had a couple players say that you inspire me to do officiating I think that's great. I don't see it just as a male male job and I really encourage females to get out there and try it as well."
the encouragement she had growing up.. is still with HER on the court.
DAD) "Carlie has always been a little different she's not scared of anything and she wants to promote young officials and female officials."
(CARLIE) "The worst thing I heard from a fan out of the stands is when they announced me and my partner with the same last name and they asked if he was my husband and I said no he's my dad."
Her favorite moments in her two years of High school officiating  are shared with the man who introduced her to the game she cares about most.
(CARLIE) The most memorable moment is reffing with my dad. you see a lot of son and dad but you don't see a lot of daughter father and I think that's great something I'll never forget."

    There are only 2 female refs for varsity basketball in the Western half of the state, Buechler is the only one from Bismarck-Mandan.
    To learn more about officiating contact the North Dakota High School Activities Association.