Terri Allen served as an educator in the Stanley-Boyd Area School District for twenty-three years and currently works as a substitute teacher within the district.

Photo by Danielle Boos

I continue to officiate because there is a continuing need for officials, and I enjoy being able to help new officials learn the trade.”

Terri Allen

For over two decades, Terri Allen has dedicated her career to shaping the lives of students in the Stanley-Boyd School District. A teacher for 23 years, Allen made a lasting impact on countless students, both in the classroom and in sports. As a coach for track, softball, basketball, youth baseball, and soccer, she has fostered a spirit of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance in her athletes, guiding them to success in countless ways. Beyond her role as an educator and coach, Allen has also served as a referee and official since 2001, lending her expertise to local and regional sporting events. Her passion for sports and commitment to the community have made her a well-respected figure in both education and athletics.
During the 1998-1999 school year, Allen began her teaching career at Stanley-Boyd Schools as a math teacher in middle school before changing over in 1999 to the high school where she taught a wide range of math subjects including math extensions, pre-algebra, algebra, geometry, algebra 2, and AP Statistics. Retiring in the fall of 2021, Allen made the decision to return to Stanley-Boyd School as a substitute teacher where she fills in wherever there is a shortage.
Allen explains that her decision to transition from coaching to officiating was driven by a combination of factors. Primarily, she recognized a growing need for officials at the lower levels of middle school and C-team sports. With her own children involved in football and golf, she found herself wanting to attend their games while still staying involved in the athletic community. This led her to pursue officiating as a way to contribute to local sports and continue her passion for athletics while balancing family commitments.
“I continue to officiate because there is a continuing need for officials, and I enjoy being able to help new officials learn the trade,” she says.
In her recent years as a volleyball official, Allen reflects on how the game has evolved both on and off the court. “A big change in the game since I started officiating is the switch to rally scoring and needing 25 points to win a set (game),” she explained. She also noted the introduction of new rules and terms for players, as well as improvements in uniforms. As a volleyball official, Allen has faced her share of challenges, from ensuring that the court and equipment are in proper playing condition to educating players about the rules of the game.
“Some challenges at the lower levels of volleyball are helping teach the rules for legal rotations, legal contacts (hits) and helping coaches with rule changes for the year.” When difficult challenges arise, Allen explains that it’s important to stay calm and “be assertive in enforcing the game rules.” She added, “Communicating with the players and coaches to clarify and de-escalate tense situations is a skill that is developed through experience.”
Allen acknowledges that there are many misconceptions about what it takes to be a volleyball official. “Some people think officiating volleyball is easy. Just blow the whistle to start a serve and award a point when the ball hits the floor.” However, she emphasizes that being an official requires a deep understanding of the game’s rules, which she must consistently enforce. These include ensuring proper alignment, monitoring legal contacts, watching who is in the front row to ensure they are allowed to contact the ball above the net or participate in a block, following substitution procedures, and maintaining communication with the other official, scorekeeper, and bookkeeper.
As a volleyball official, Allen’s goal is to know the rules to officiate a fair match. “I strive to teach players (and coaches) the proper procedures and rules so they can enjoy the game. I want players to have fun and spectators see players improve and be successful.”
Allen reflects on some of the most memorable moments from her career as a volleyball official, including the challenges of traveling through inclement weather and the occasional mix-up of volleyball signals with basketball signals. One story stands out in particular. “At the beginning of a middle school match, I reached for my whistle to signal for the first serve and realized my whistle was still in my classroom. I didn’t notice it was missing because I was also supervising the middle school student council members (I was the advisor) setting up the concession stand. There was a short delay while I got my whistle!”
With years of experience officiating, Allen’s dedication to fair play, her attention to detail, and her respect for the sport have earned her the admiration of athletes, coaches, and fellow officials alike. Her contributions to sports and education leaves a lasting legacy that will be felt for years to come.