About Doug Shows

Doug Shows is an NCAA men’s basketball referee with decades of experience. Doug has been a Division 1 Referee since 1993 and a NCAA Men’s Tournament Official since 1998. In the time since, Mr. Shows has officiated a variety of conferences including the SEC, ACC, American Athletic, Atlantic 10, Big East, Mountain West, Pac 12, Southern, Sun Belt, and SWAC.

Over the course of Doug Shows career as a referee, he has built a reputation on his commitment to the game and interest in contributing to key conversations within his industry. Doug acknowledges the crucial role that referees and officials play in the sports process and doesn’t take lightly the responsibility that professionals have to make fair calls and effectively manage games.

Doug is a proponent of giving back to his community through professional platforms and has teamed up with SEC Men’s Basketball Referees Association to donate to organizations such as the Wounded Warrior Project and The Mike Slive Foundation. Giving back is a passion of Doug’s, and he recognizes that volunteer work and donations to organizations is an important way to show a commitment to the future and uplift those who need assistance within our communities.

In addition to his career in collegiate sports, Doug has experience in business development and entrepreneurship as an advisor who assists individuals with retirement planning and business advisory.  

Doug Shows on the Longstanding Tradition of Charity in Sports

For as long as most can remember, volunteer work and donation has been a fixture for collegiate and professional sports alike. From players, to coaches, to officials, many have recognized how their status places them in a unique position to help others in a variety of circumstances, supporting and bringing awareness to the causes organizations in our communities are working hard for.

Through these experiences, Doug has learned a great deal about collaborating with others to have a positive impact on local communities.

Included are a few insights on giving back within sports, its benefits, as well as additional ways those who are interested can explore volunteer opportunities.

The Benefits of Giving Back as a Member of the Sports Community

Simply put, there are dozens of reasons why giving back has become such a widespread tradition within sports. Below are a few reasons why Doug Shows believes members of the sports community should explore opportunities to work with local charity organizations, churches, and non-profits.

Connecting with the Community

One of Doug’s favorite aspects of giving back is that it empowers sports professionals to connect with their local communities and make a positive difference. Doug notes, “God has blessed us in many ways and we can all participate by giving back our talents, time and finances. To whom much is given, much will be required.”  Doug also mentions that in sports circles, we can spend so much time in our own bubbles that we may not always consider the lives of those who have different realities and challenges than ourselves. Fostering connections with others within our communities is vital for creating a better future where giving, encouraging, and caring for our fellow people is the norm. When we are able to see the joy and access to goods, services, and opportunities that our work can provide firsthand, it is easy to see why those who have the means should make a point to continue the mission.

Exploring New Skills and Passions

Professionals in the sports industry, whether they are referees, players, coaches, or team staff are not one-dimensional, they have a host of skills and interests outside of the game. What many who venture into giving back find is that the process is excellent for helping its participants explore new skills and connect with passions that they may not get to on an everyday basis. For example, players who volunteer may have the opportunity to coach kids on how to improve their game, providing a mentorship role they may not get to experience in their day to day lives.

Spreads Awareness

A common reason that sports professionals give back is because it empowers them to spread awareness for causes that are important to them. We all have causes that are near and dear to our hearts, and working in the spotlight will help to raise recognition. Spreading awareness can be extremely helpful for helping these organizations maximize their impact by seizing opportunities to gain new volunteers, grow funding, and foster connections with other groups and individuals that are working towards similar goals.

How Can Sports Professionals Explore Giving Back?

Getting involved as a member of the sports community can be even easier than you might think. This is because there are many professional organizations within sports that are already making efforts to facilitate volunteer work and donations. In the absence of access to these existing groups, professionals can find organizations within their local community that are in need of assistance.

If you are a player, official, coach, or member of the staff interested in participating, there are several avenues that you can explore such as:

• Local Church Involvement
• Volunteering
• Donation
• Partnership with a Professional Organizations Valuing Charity
• Mentorship

Doug Shows Referee.net— A Platform for Sports Official Resources and More!

DougShowsReferee.net was created as an informative resource that explores the realties of referee life, the importance of volunteering, sports industry developments, and much more.

Mr. Shows realizes that, in today’s day and age, people want to learn more about sports and the professionals who make these games possible. If you are interested in exploring Mr. Shows career experiences and professional insights, you have come to the right place! Tune in for more information on topics such as:

• Refereeing/ Sports Officiating
• Professional Development Insights
• Business Development and Entrepreneurship
• Investments and Insurance
• Volunteer and Charity Work
• Sports Industry News