WBVO | Wisconsin Board of Volleyball Officials

About Us

Recruiting, Training, Educating, and Mentoring
Collegiate Volleyball Officials

Who We Are
About Wisconsin Board of Volleyball Officials

Welcome to Wisconsin Board of Volleyball Officials (WBVO) website. We are a professional volleyball officiating association dedicated to recruiting, developing, and certifying the officials who make the game possible. We serve the Wisconsin area as an affiliated board of the Professional Association of Volleyball Officials (PAVO), the nationally recognized governing body for collegiate volleyball officiating.

From first-time referees stepping onto the court for the very first time to seasoned officials working at the national championship level, WBVO is the organization that trains, certifies, evaluates, and supports every step of that journey.

Volleyball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, and behind every well-run match is a team of skilled, knowledgeable officials who ensure the game is played with integrity, consistency, and fairness. That team is what WBVO builds — one official at a time.

OUR MISSION
What We Believe

WBVO exists to strengthen the sport of volleyball by developing a pipeline of highly qualified officials who are trained to the highest professional standards. We believe that great officiating doesn't happen by accident — it is the result of structured education, hands-on evaluation, ongoing mentorship, and a deep commitment to the game. Our mission is to make that level of excellence accessible to anyone willing to put in the work, regardless of their background or experience level.
We are committed to:

Recruiting passionate individuals who love the game of volleyball
Providing clear, structured pathways to certification at every level
Delivering rigorous training and honest evaluation that prepares officials for real competition
Fostering a professional community where officials are supported, respected, and continuously developed
Upholding the integrity of the game through consistent, knowledgeable officiating at every match

OUR PURPOSE
What We Do

Wisconsin Board of Volleyball Officials
At its core, WBVO manages the full lifecycle of volleyball official development in the Wisconsin region. That means we handle everything from the moment someone expresses interest in becoming an official to the day they earn their highest certification and beyond.
Our work spans three key areas:

Certification & Credentialing
WBVO administers the full PAVO certification process for referees, line judges, and scorers. PAVO has established five progressive certification levels for referees — Apprentice, Local, State, National, and Retired National — each representing a higher degree of skill, experience, and responsibility. We guide our officials through every level, administering written exams, coordinating on-court observations, and evaluating performance against nationally established standards. Certifications are renewed annually, ensuring our officials remain sharp, current, and accountable to the highest standards of the profession.

Training & Education
WBVO leverages PAVO's full suite of training resources to develop our officials, including online learning platforms such as iREF and RuleSchool (formerly RefSchool) rules study materials, PowerPoint-based clinic content, and practical court-side training. We host local clinics and observation dates throughout the season, giving officials structured opportunities to learn, practice, and get evaluated in real match environments. Our training programs are designed not just to get officials certified — but to make them genuinely excellent at what they do.

Community & Resources
Beyond certification, WBVO serves as the central hub for everything our members need to thrive as officials. We connect members to regional and national officiating conferences, provide access to approved uniform and equipment vendors, and maintain a governing structure — led by a Board of Directors and guided by formal bylaws — that ensures the organization operates with transparency, accountability, and long-term vision. Whether you're looking for your next assignment, seeking mentorship from a veteran official, or trying to understand what it takes to reach the next certification level, WBVO is the resource you can count on.

Join Today!

WHY IT MATTERS

There is currently a significant and growing shortage of qualified sports officials across the country, and volleyball is no exception. As the sport continues to expand at the youth, high school, and collegiate levels, the demand for trained, certified officials has never been higher. WBVO is on the front lines of addressing that shortage — not by lowering standards, but by making the path to certification more accessible, more supportive, and more rewarding than ever before.

When you become a WBVO-certified official, you don't just earn a credential. You join a profession. You become part of a community of individuals who take the game seriously, hold themselves to a high standard, and play a role that matters every single time a whistle blows.

Our Governing Structure
WBVO is governed by a Board of Directors that oversees the association's operations, policies, and long-term direction. The organization operates under a formal set of bylaws designed to ensure fairness, consistency, and accountability across all aspects of membership and certification. This structure reflects our belief that a professional officiating association should model the same standards of order and integrity that it expects its officials to bring to every match.

WBVO
Meet Our Board Officers

Jim Arts

WBVO Chair

Scott Prox

WBVO Secretary

Alex Grycowski

WBVO Treasurer

JOIN TODAY!

Whether you're stepping onto the court for the first time or looking to take your officiating career to the next level, WBVO is ready to support your journey. We offer clinics, evaluations, mentorship, and a community of officials who are as passionate about volleyball as you are. If you're ready to be more than just a fan of the game — if you're ready to be part of it — we want to hear from you.

Complete our Interest Form today and take the first step toward becoming a certified volleyball official with WBVO.

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About Us

Who We AreAbout Wisconsin Board of Volleyball Officials

OUR MISSIONWhat We Believe

OUR PURPOSEWhat We Do