Across the country, there are shortages of game officials and referees. In some areas, it’s becoming a crisis.

This is a major issue for sports, including football. Simply put, without officials, there can be no games.

In Texas, particularly the Houston area, the Texas Association of Sports Officials (TASO) Director Michael Fitch to told the Temple Daily Telegram that a crisis stage is in sight with deficits in all the sports, according to an article in the Houston Chronicle.

Eric Dumatrait, official and crew chief with the Houston chapter of TASO, believes the shortage is due to low retention rates in referees.

Too many new referees are choosing to not stick with it, and the effects are being felt across sports.

"The retention rate is, on average, less than 50 percent," said Dumatrait. "Last year, we were at 60, which is good. We believe the retention rate is a reflection on our training. If we can get them set off on the right foot, not be sensitive to coaches and parents, we believe they'll be back."

In Ohio, the state’s governing body, the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA), which boasts 700-plus football-playing schools on the varsity level alone, is concerned about its referee population as well.

Mark Kuhn, an OHSAA official, understands the severity of the situation.

“It going to get to the point where peoples’ kids are not going to have enough officials to play their games,” Kuhn said in an interview with WTVG.

“We have guys getting older and stepping aside… times are changing. Fans are tough on officials.”

Despite rowdy fans and coaches, he believes it’s worth it.

“The camaraderie between officials is amazing… The friendships and Friday night games when we grab a pop and sandwich after… it’s great.”

No matter the level, officials are an indispensable part of the game.

MORE: For players and officials, communication and respect are a two-way street

Interested in becoming an official? Learn the keys to being a youth football official by checking out USA Football’s Mechanics of Officiating Youth Tackle Football course.