The article recounts a 2020 volleyball match between Wayland Baptist University (WBU) and Tarleton State University that proceeded without official referees after the scheduled officials failed to arrive. An assistant track coach and a basketball coach volunteered to officiate despite no experience. Recognizing the situation, the team captains agreed that each team would make its own calls and honor the opponent’s calls. Players frequently self‑policed, even calling penalties on themselves that could have altered the game outcome. The match concluded with a standing ovation, highlighting the players’ integrity and teamwork. The authors use this anecdote to pose a reflective question about whether a team’s culture and leadership could support such self‑officiating, citing a Davis Cup coach’s claim that his team could compete without referees. The piece concludes with a brief description of Proactive Coaching’s mission to help coaches, athletes, and leaders build cultures of excellence in competence and character, and provides contact information.
Topics
Referee‑less Volleyball Match: The Unexpected Situation
Details of the WBU vs. Tarleton State volleyball game where scheduled referees failed to appear, leading to improvised officiating by non‑referee coaches.
Self‑Officiating by Players: Trust and Integrity in Action
How team leaders decided that each side would make its own calls and accept opponent calls, with players stepping in to call themselves, even sacrificing potential points.
Implications for Team Culture and Leadership
The authors’ analysis of what the self‑officiating episode reveals about a team’s character, culture, and leadership, and the question of whether other teams could replicate this trust‑based approach.
Proactive Coaching’s Mission and Services
A brief overview of the organization’s purpose—providing presentations and materials to help coaches, athletes, and leaders develop cultures of excellence in competence and character.