Founder Spotlight: Kyle Armstrong

When Kyle Armstrong talks about sports officiating, his passion is unmistakable. As the founder and CEO of RefReps, an innovative education platform, he’s on a mission to transform how the next generation of referees are trained — and to elevate the way fans, athletes, and coaches view officials in every sport.

The Mission: Helping the World See Through Officials’ Eyes

RefReps exists to solve a critical issue: the national shortage of sports officials. With the average age of a high school referee hovering over 57 years old, the pipeline of young officials has been drying up for decades. Armstrong saw an opportunity to flip the narrative.

“We want to help the world see the game through the eyes of the officials,” he says. That vision has translated into a digital curriculum now taught in more than 1,300 high schools and organizations. Students can take Sports Officiating just like math, science, or history, and leave not only with certification but also with real earning potential.

From Intramural Ref to Entrepreneur

Armstrong’s path to RefReps started at Ball State University, where he spotted a job ad for intramural basketball officials. What he thought would be the “easiest job in history” quickly proved otherwise. The speed, decision-making, and pressure of officiating humbled him and sparked a curiosity that never left.

Over the next 15 years, Armstrong built multiple ventures in the officiating and sports tech world. His second company was gaining traction when COVID-19 hit, wiping out sports and with them, the business. “It was either go cry in a dark room or buy another whiteboard,” he says. He chose the whiteboard, and RefReps was born.

Technology Meets Training

At the heart of RefReps is a flexible, digital curriculum spanning 14 sports, from football and basketball to lacrosse and water polo. What makes it unique is the use of interactive, point-of-view video training. Students see plays exactly as an official would — hearing coaches in their ear, making real-time calls, and then receiving expert feedback.

“It feels like a video game,” Armstrong notes, describing how students build confidence before ever stepping onto the field or court. The platform also adapts instantly to rule changes, ensuring young officials are always up to date.

Explosive Growth and National Partnerships

Since its formal launch in 2022, RefReps has surged. In three years, more than 47,000 new officials have been trained, with classes active in 46 states and even overseas in four additional countries. 

State high school associations have embraced the program, with 34 signing partnerships. The company has also built alliances with the NFHS, NCAA, NIAAA, and Jr. NBA. Even Peyton Manning has lent his voice in support thanks to a connection through Armstrong’s business partner, a longtime NFL referee.

Beyond the Shortage: Changing Perceptions

Armstrong believes RefReps is solving more than just the shortage. By showing players, parents, and fans how challenging officiating truly is, the platform helps foster empathy and sportsmanship. “When people understand what it’s like to be in an official’s shoes, it changes everything,” he says.

Looking Ahead

With a growing team of 17 full-time employees, a handful seasoned officials, the rest fresh creative minds, RefReps is building momentum. Armstrong sees a future where referees enter games prepared, confident, and respected, and where officiating becomes a meaningful, rewarding career path for young people.

“Five years from now, I want people to look back and say: Do you remember when we had to scramble to train and recruit referees ourselves? Why couldn’t RefReps have come sooner?”