Courtesy of Peter J. Wallner, MLive.com
ALLENDALE - Saginaw Valley State's Michael King was headed to the end zone on a long run last Saturday before he was tripped up by a Grand Valley State defender and the ball went flying. The back judge, the only other person within 20 yards, emphatically pointed to the ground and a dead ball.
Move ahead to the third quarter, and Saginaw Valley's Tommy Scott Jr. turned the corner for nice run, only to notice a yellow flag on the ground. The gain was called back on an illegal block.
The official on the plays was Amy Pistone.
"I know she made a call on an illegal chop block and that was 100 percent the right call," Grand Valley State coach Matt Mitchell said afterward, referring to a block below the waist. "In two games we've had, I've had no issues with her. I just want competent people out there, regardless of sex, age, race whatever."
So, does it even matter there is a woman officiating in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference this season?
Well, yes and no.
No, because a female official may still be unique but far from uncommon nowadays. Pistone is the second female official in the NCAA Division II conference and one of about a dozen working collegiate football games nationally. Sarah Thomas become the first female official in the NFL in 2015.
But, in the bigger picture, it matters because the presence of anyone new and skilled is welcome in a profession that struggles to attract new talent.
"The numbers are declining, and whether or not that opens the door to more females or anyone in particular I don't know if that's the case," said Michael McCann, football supervisor of officials for the GLIAC. "If someone has talent and the passion, they're welcomed."
"Sometimes, it's frustrating because there's not a lot of people going into the profession," said Mitchell, Grand Valley State's eighth-year coach. "I know where we are in the pecking order (as a DII program). ... If more women want to go into it and they're good at it, why not? We need competent officials."
How about for Pistone? Does she care?
"It's different," she said. "Football is far more male-dominated than college basketball. But I've played a lot of sports, always had a lot of male friends so it doesn't strike me as uncomfortable or weird."
Officials don't just show up one day for a college game. For Pistone, officiating football is a side interest that's grown over time - which she doesn't have a lot of anyway.
Pistone is a visiting professor at the University of Notre Dame teaching Greek studies, an accomplished distance runner training for her second Boston Marathon and she also works as a college basketball official (where there are more women). Plus, she even appeared on "Jeopardy!" one year ago (she finished third - stung by two whiffs on double Jeopardy).
Originally from Northern California, Pistone attained her undergraduate degree at Cal and graduate and doctorate at the University of Michigan. The officiating thing began with basketball before a friend suggested she try football - she became a fan during college - about five years ago and she was hooked.
She started like other officials - literally the ground level and pee wee football. Then it was freshman games, junior varsity to high school and junior colleges and Division III. Downsizing in the GLIAC led to several conference changes for crews, and that created an opening and a promotion for Pistone.
McCann said it typically takes about three to five years at the high school level before a ref can advance to the college level, and that's following extensive observation and proven proficiency through written tests.
Pistone moved up because she deserved it, he said, noting a similar path was followed by Nicole Randolph, who worked GLIAC games in 2014-15 before moving up to the Missouri Valley Conference and Mid-American Conference.
"I haven't treated Amy any differently than any other recruit in the GLIAC," said McCann, who goes on site to watch officials. "Everything has been earned, and I could see her on a similar path (as Randolph)."
On the field, there have been few inappropriate comments, Pistone said, other than, you know, the standard yelps every official encounters.
"There's probably more of a credibility issue for some because being a woman you get, 'Well, you never played.' So, as several officials have said, you have to make sure your mechanics are right because you won't have as much wiggle room if you make a mistake. But, really, everyone has been terrific and respectful. I've been really fortunate to be put in touch with a lot of talented and helpful people."
Plus, it can be amusing.
"Yeah, you have a player who will go, 'Yes sir' and then gasp and go, 'I mean, ma'am,'" Pistone said with a laugh. "They get flustered, and I find that rather entertaining."
There can be other perks as well. A couple weeks ago, Pistone was on her way to the locker room when she ran into a little girl whose eyes lit up when they met. That proved an easy call.
"Her dad said she wanted to give me a high-five because she thought it was cool there was a girl ref there," Pistone said. "I don't know, just a cool moment that made me feel really warm."
