After serving five decades in a single profession, it's hard not to get noticed.

But that's exactly the goal of Muskegon's Frank Schubert and thousands of other registered sport officials across the state.

In his 50th season of officiating, Schubert has heard the vocal abuse and taunts from the stands, but he continues studying his sport and striving for perfection in the dozens of games he does each month.

''Officiating is a lifelong learning process,'' said Schubert. ''Most people are out there for self-gratification. It's a thankless job and we understand that. We're not looking for pats on the back.''

Which is the biggest challenge facing organizations trying to boost officiating numbers. While officials may not be looking for pats on the back, they're not looking for verbal abuse either.

''It's a lot of pressure,'' said Fruitport athletic director Ken Erny, who has also spent time coaching and officiating.

''Referees only seem to be right about half the time.''

In fact, no one claims perfection in this profession. Not the individual referees that officiate games, the local associations responsibility for training refs, nor the Michigan High School Athletic Association, which has struggled recently recruiting capable officials.

''We promote recruiting any chance we get,'' said Bill Bupp, director of officials at the MHSAA. ''We need to get parents and fans involved and motiviate officials to get their friends involved.''

No one also claims to know the exact solution, but a concensus of athletic directors and current officials believe there are various ways to increase the quality of today's referees:

• Improve training. With open-book tests and fairly relaxed renewal regulations, nearly anyone can become a registered official in the Michigan High School Athletic Association.

The responsibility of up-to-date training comes from the local associations and the discipline of individual refs to learn new rules. The MHSAA can stress ways to remain involved, even during the off-season, but because of the independent-contractor status, the MHSAA cannot require training seminars.

''We are not in a position to require training because we are not their employers,'' added Bupp. ''We rely on the common sense of officials to want to get training and the service of local associations to provide training.''

The best critics can also be officials themselves and members of their crew.

''The better crews are self-educating all the time,'' said Jeff Smith, who retired from football after 30 years officiating. ''They use that driving time to talk about rules and situations. They have to be brutally honest with each other in order to continue to improve.''

• More Recruiting. Currently the biggest concern at the MHSAA is finding more younger referees to become involved.

As the average age of officials continues to increase and veterans begin to retire, the pool of talent and experience gradually declines. With more and more sports sprouting up at individual schools, jobs and time conflicts also come into conflict.

The MHSAA has combatted these troubles by an extensive campaign of finding parents, fans and even athletes to become registered officials.

The MHSAA started a LEGACY program in 1992, which aids high school seniors in getting involved. The process pairs students with veteran mentors, where they get one-on-one training at actual games. The state cuts costs and actually aids in finding games for each individual to participate.

''This basically introduces the student to officiating,'' added Bupp. ''We try to build a relationship with his mentor and expose the kids to the sports and this profession.''

Scottville's Nicholas Marshall is one senior taking advantage of the program.

Marshall, 16, runs cross country and track in the fall and spring, respectively, but keeps close to his love of basketball by officiating middle school games in the winter.

''I've been exposed to this since I was little,'' said Marshall, whose father is also a registered official. ''I like watching the game and this helps me stay in the flow of things.''

• Limiting abuse and criticism from fans and players alike.

The job of an official is tough enough. Throw in thousands of screaming fans and the pressure can be unbearable.

Laws have been made across the nation protecting officials from assaults and the MHSAA has been among the nation's leaders in the promotion of sportsmanship at the high school level. The MHSAA offers clinics on an annual basis and local school districts are addressing concerns to ease added pressure.

School administrators need to be more proactive in eliminating overzealous fans from their athletic complexes and gyms.

• Increase pay. With most schools paying approximately $50 per night for a three-hour football game, money isn't as much of a factor as it once was. However, because of their independent-contractor status, mileage, food expenses and taxes are not included, which drives the wages down even more.

• Experimentation. The O-K Red will use three officials for five or six O-K Red basketball games this year. Grand Haven coach Craig Taylor said the conference is experimenting in an effort to improve officiating.

''There are many good officials out there who are getting older and simply can't keep up with the pace of the game,'' he said. ''By adding three, we can keep them involved and also break in a young official with someone experienced. Plus, the floor in basketball has gotten so big that there really is a need for an extra set of eyes out there.''