If you are a fan of any sport, you are likely familiar with the referees who oversee the games. These black-and-white-clad envoys of every sport's rulebook make sure that players and coaches alike abide by the official guidelines - even if they aren't happy about it. But referees don't just exist to wear iconic uniforms and make tough calls; they keep competing athletes safe, and they are often former players who love the game as much as the fans sitting in the bleachers.

Steve and Wendy Hess of Strasburg are veteran referees. The husband and wife share a deep love for their respective sports; Steve frequently officiates wrestling matches, and Wendy referees field hockey games throughout the Lancaster-Lebanon area. The couple met while attending Lycoming College, where Steve competed as a wrestler and Wendy played field hockey. Steve is a Penn Manor High School alumnus, and Wendy moved to Lancaster County with him in 1997. Wendy developed a love for officiating field hockey after her father became a referee in her home state of New Jersey, and Steve acquired experience as the head coach of Penn Manor High School's wrestling team for 14 years. Steve also coached wrestling as a volunteer at Lampeter-Strasburg High School for six years before he became an official in 2018.

"As a former wrestling coach, I thought I knew all the rules. But there are always some little details that you aren't aware of," Steve said. "I didn't realize how some rules were applied when I was a coach. I became an official and I thought, 'OK, that makes sense now.'"

"You have a very different perspective when you're officiating versus playing or coaching," Wendy added. "Most people out there don't know the book of rules, regardless of the level of play."

As referees, Steve and Wendy are no strangers to disgruntled fans and parents of players. As school sports have continued to become more competitive, the couple has had to navigate increasingly intense athletic contests and fierce contendors. "Things have changed tremendously as far as competitiveness; everyone is trying to get into collegiate sports," Wendy said. "You can have unpleasant experiences as a referee, and you have to learn to deal with that." Since wrestling and field hockey seasons occur at different times of the year, Steve and Wendy often attend each other's games to offer support from the sidelines. "I sit in the stands with a field hockey rulebook and say them out loud sometimes so people know (Wendy) made the right call," added Steve.

"I love field hockey, and I want to support the kids and the coaches. At the end of the day, we all want the same thing, and we're all on the same team," Wendy said. "Refereeing has been good to us. I've made lasting friendships with people from all over the country. It's intimidating to get started, but it changed my life."