Written by: Sierra Ureta
“Now that I’m older, your knees start going out or giving you trouble,” said Justin Arner, intramural referee.
Arner has been on the court and field since he went to Collegedale Academy as a young boy. Although he doesn’t play as often as he did when he was younger, Arner said he found other ways to be involved.
“Being a referee has kept me a part of the game even though I wasn’t on the court or on the field,” he said.
Arner said he attended Southern in the late ’90s and studied physical education. During his time at Southern, he played many intramural sports.
“I played everything except for soccer and floor hockey, which is probably why I don’t officiate those sports as a referee,” he said. “[My] least favorite thing about [being a referee] would be the heat [in Tennessee] when I am refereeing softball games.”
Out of all the intramurals, Arner said Southern students are particularly best in basketball and flag football.
“Through the years, I have seen some amazing college athletes come through,” he added. “They have some incredible talents and gifts — both male and female.”
Mike Boyd, P.E., Health and Wellness professor, hired Arner into the position. In addition to Boyd, Arner also expressed an appreciation for Robert Benge, dean of the School of P.E., Health and Wellness.
“I have a good relationship with Dean Benge, who … was actually my P.E. teacher when I was in elementary school,” Arner said. “I loved the guy back then and still do. He was always my favorite teacher, even though it was just P.E.
“Years later, I guess he left [Collegedale Academy] and got his doctorate out west,” Arner continued. “Then, he came back here and got that job [as a professor] at Southern, so that’s very admirable.”
Arner said refereeing games is a nostalgic experience for him.
“Back in the day, I used to play on those courts,” he said. “So, you know, you walk in there, and look up at the different banners, and I’m back again.”
Arner listed his favorite parts of being a referee.
“[Being a referee] keeps up your cardio tremendously, and I feel like that’s a very good thing,” he said. “But my favorite [part] is just still being connected to the games with the sports I love and working with my colleagues to train the younger ones.”