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Let the games begin in West Virginia and continue in Ohio as far as OVAC boys' and girls' high school soccer goes. The Mountain State debuts Wednesday while the Buckeye State has been playing for nearly a week.
Following an ongoing pay increase dispute between the OVAC and the Ohio Valley Soccer Referee Association, both sides reached an agreement late Tuesday morning.
According to an email from Wheeling attorney David Delk, representing the soccer officials, "The individual schools are paying the requested rate. ... The soccer referee association is not dealing with the OVAC."
The matter has arisen since last week after the officials said pay raises they were promised by the OVAC never materialized. This led to several schools -- including John Marshall, Wheeling Park and St. Clairsville -- sending a letter to parents warning them, in essence, that some games could be at risk this year due to a lack of officials.
The requested rate, according to Delk, was $100/$100 for a two-person crew and $100/$90/$90 for a three-person crew. That proposal was initially voted down by OVAC Athletic Directors.
During the 2025 season, officials received $85/$85 for a two-person crew and $85/$80/$80 for a three-person crew.
Now, schools will pay the requested rate, Delk said, marking the first pay increase for soccer officials in four years.
The OVAC is represented by attorney David Cross.
According to reports, no games have been canceled due to lack of referees.