Nex-Tech Wireless Supporting Cast: Will Ast
Ingalls grad Will Ast is giving back to the high schools in his area by helping to alleviate an officiating shortage, all while carrying a full-time academic load at Garden City Community College. (Photo: Sandy Myers)
In a time when men and women have left officiating in droves, William Ast has stepped up in a big way.
The 19-year-old 2023 Ingalls High graduate has been reffing four and sometimes five nights a week on top of being a full time student at Garden City Community College.
“I’ve loved officiating ever since elementary school and it’s always been something that I’ve wanted to do,” said Ast, a standout hurdler at Ingalls. “Plus there’s such a shortage of officials right now, I thought it would be good to help.”
“The shortage is a struggle everywhere, but especially in rural areas like western Kansas,” 2022 Kiowa County grad and current football and basketball official Connor Pore, a full time student at Wichita State, said. “It’s great that he is finding the time to get reps in four, and sometimes five times a week.”
In a recent eight-day stretch, this was Ast’s schedule: “Thursday was at United Wireless Arena for the SPIAA League tournament, did Satanta vs. Kiowa County and Minneola vs Ashland,” Ast said. “Then, that evening was in Cimarron for JH boys against Scott City. Friday was at Moscow for the games against Elkhart. Saturday back at United Wireless Arena for the SPIAA tournament, doing the 9:45 and 1:15 games. Then Monday will be Stanton County at Southwestern Heights. Tuesday will be Stanton County at Elkhart. I am working the SPIAA League JH tournament on Thursday between Stanton County vs. Elkhart and Sublette vs. Meade. And next Friday I have the Sublette-Meade HS game."
“It’s difficult man,” said Ast when asked how he juggled officiating and school. “So far I’m managing it. With there being such a shortage of officials, you got games multiple nights a week and it’s challenging but rewarding.”
Also challenging is the verbal abuse from know-it-all fans.
“It’s all part of the game, it’s a heated environment so I usually try to keep calm and cool,” Ast said. “Sometimes you just have to take the yelling on the chin and move forward.”
He’s getting good returns from players like South Gray senior Joey Dyck.
“He makes good calls, he’s sharp on the court,” said Dyck, whose Rebels won 1A-DI in March. “Only real way to say it is that he is a trustworthy official.”
Ast is very much in favor of the new rule where bonus free throws are shot on the fifth team foul of the half instead of seven.
“Honestly, the bonus now being at five fouls this year was the biggest change that I think helped,” he said. “I personally like it.”
Next season, some Kansas high schools will adopt a shot clock.
“I’m not anti-shot clock, but I just can’t see it being feasible, especially out here in western Kansas,” Ast said. “So many small schools already struggle to find workers to help at sporting events, this just adds more strain on those schools. I will be interested to see the results of the trial run next year.”
In the meantime, Ast is having fun and helping pay his way through college.
“I am enjoying it, it’s been a lot of fun,” he said. “I’ve met a lot of good people who have helped me along the way and that I’ve enjoyed working with. I would recommend people to sign up and become an official, they are much needed.”
To learn how to become an official visit this link: https://www.kshsaa.org/
Would you like to nominate someone for the Nex-Tech Wireless Supporting Cast? Email nominations to kansaspregame@gmail.com with 'Supporting Cast' in the subject line.