Nebraska referee Kevin Mar balances big games, busy schedule with NSAA, Big 12
The Beatrice native has spent 20 years reffing in the Big 12 Conference while also serving as an official and umpire for the Nebraska School Activities Association.
LINCOLN, Neb. — An official’s job is crucial, no matter the venue.
One day it might be a packed stadium with hundreds of thousands in the stands. The next, it’s here at the Beatrice High O-Zone.
That’s life for Big 12 and Nebraska high school sports official Kevin Mar.
“It [officiating] enables me to give the kids the opportunities and interact with people and work on my people skills,” Mar said.
The Beatrice native has spent 20 years reffing in the Big 12 Conference while also serving as an official and umpire for the Nebraska School Activities Association.
A typical week for Mar includes his day job and a full slate of games.
For Big 12 football, preparation begins as soon as the previous game ends.
He reviews film, attends Zoom meetings with league officials throughout the week, and trains officials in the Big Sky and Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
It’s a hectic schedule, but one he’s grown to love.
“The seasons go super fast in football,” Mar said. “There’s only 15-16 weeks and I go as hard as I can because I know the seasons don’t last very long. It’s a grind, it’s stressful, but very rewarding as well.”
Whether it’s a rivalry matchup like Utah and BYU or a local high school basketball game, criticism comes with the territory.
“I’ve seen and heard it all,” Mar said. “I get it from coaches as well… But I know how to interact with coaches, speak with them, and explain to them what I saw. The crowd, they’re a lot further away in football, but I hear them in basketball and baseball so I try to make as many friends as I can on my way out as well.”
Mar has worked Big 12 Championship games, Holy Wars, and numerous Nebraska state title games. But the 2026 Rose Bowl Game between Indiana and Alabama stands above the rest.
“It’s a game that has so much history,” Mar said. “To be part of that tradition and live it, this year it was part of the College Football Playoff… To see that all first hand was fantastic.”
Mar wasn’t just on the crew — he was the head official and led the coin toss alongside NBA legend Magic Johnson.
“It was quite a surreal experience,” Mar said. “Magic [Johnson] is looking over my shoulder… That was the hardest part, the easy part was just refereeing the game.”
Just days after Pasadena, he was back in Nebraska for a high school basketball doubleheader between Beatrice and Minden. No matter the stage, Mar takes pride in approaching every assignment the same way.
“At any level of any game, it’s just as important to the players, the coaches, the people involved in the game as the Rose Bowl,” Mar said. “Yes, the Rose Bowl was on television with 27-million views, but having kids myself, I understand how important this games are and that I have to do the best in every sort of situation, where my feet are right now. Whether it’s a high school gym, a college stadium, I want to do my best for those players and coaches.”
Mar is well known across Nebraska and Big 12 country. The support at home — and the recognition he receives — is something he doesn’t take lightly.
“I’m just the referee, I’m a very small part of the game,” Mar said. “A lot of times, I don’t even have my hat on and these players recognize that I’m at this football game or that football game so it’s been great and the family support has been great as well.”