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Photo By Kelly MackeyNathaniel Johnson, 9, talks with referee Raymond Lightfoot at a timeout during the Elkhorn Middle School and Bondurant Middle School sixth-grade game Dec. 1.

Photo By Hilly SchifferRaymond Lightfoot

Photo By Kelly MackeyReferee Raymond Lightfoot calls for Elkhorn Middle School to take the ball during their sixth-grade game against Bondurant Middle School Dec. 1.

Youth sports referee Raymond Lightfoot is also known as “Mr. Charity.”

His 25-year-old son, Raymond Jr., calls him that because his father wants to see every kid score, even if it means calling more fouls down the stretch.

There’s a story about a boys’ middle school basketball game when a coach put in a player with autism during the closing minutes.

Raymond called a foul while the autistic boy took a shot and put him on the free throw line. The first shot clanked off the rim.

“My wife and all the kids were there watching the game, and they told everybody, ‘If he misses the second free throw, there’ll be a lane violation,’” he said.

The boy missed again. Sure enough, Raymond blew his whistle. Lane violation. One more shot. The ball hung … swish.

“Scoring is the biggest thing in the world for them,” Raymond says.

“Just to see the enthusiasm out there. He scored one point, and it was like the greatest thing in the world. That’s what I get joy out of.”

Raymond, 46, began officiating youth games – primarily basketball and football – 17 years ago as a way to spend more time with his children: Kristen, 28; Raymond Jr.; Candice, 24; Danielle, 18; and Zach, 17.

He swore he’d make time for his children because his father, the late Army Master Sgt. Pryse Lightfoot, was constantly away, sometimes as far as Taiwan.

“My father wasn’t here a whole lot when I was young and involved in sports, you know, like to go throw the ball around or shoot baskets with me,” Raymond said. “I always told myself as a young man if I ever had kids, I didn’t care what my job was or whatever, I was going to be involved with my children.”

The YMCA gave Raymond an opportunity to stay close to his children and spend time with them.

He’s quick to point out he never called any games in his children’s favor. In fact, he says they didn’t want him refereeing their games because he was quicker to blow the whistle when they played.

“It’s really harder on them because they’ve gotten in quick foul trouble if I’ve been on the floor,” Raymond said.

During the day, Raymond works for the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority helping high school and college students through the finances of secondary education.

He says he’s been blessed to work in an understanding and flexible environment. With girls’ middle school basketball starting in August, Raymond’s schedule stays packed until the end of basketball season in March.

Not only does Raymond juggle his schedule, but he creates a master schedule for the YMCA and regional schools – for free. Others charge fees to create officiating schedules.

“It’s a volunteer thing I’ll do to get officials, hopefully quality officials, at their games,” Raymond said.

One potential pitfall Raymond faces every year are holiday basketball tournaments. Games typically start early since students are on Christmas break, but some referees can’t get out of work.

This year, he has a tournament at Elkhorn Middle School around Christmas with games starting between 9 and 11 a.m.

“I know a lot of the younger guys haven’t worked long enough to get off during those times,” Raymond says. “Where I work, they’re real flexible and they’ll let me ref a game or two in the morning and come into work later.”

Raymond began officiating school games 12 years ago. He became certified through the Kentucky High School Athletic Association with a strict battery of written and situational tests.

He referees middle school, high school and some college games throughout the region.

Each level has a different pay. Middle school games are between $30-40, high school freshman and junior varsity are about $50, varsity is about $80 and youth games are about $15 per game.

Just enough for some gas or a little extra cash in his pocket, Raymond says.

The biggest changes Raymond has seen in the game are the tenacity of parents and the athleticism of the players.

“The parents are a little more involved, a little more vocal during the games.”

Some parents have taken their yelling and screaming too far. During one girls’ game between Elkhorn and Bondurant Middle schools, Raymond had to escort a couple out of the gym.

Raymond saw the two again a couple weeks later – at a wedding.

“I saw them, and I think they were feeling more awkward than I was,” he said, shaking his head and smiling.

Raymond broke the ice by greeting the pair and asking how they were doing. He made a point to say the game was in the past and he held no grudges against the couple.

Raymond says he asked how the two had been while they were leaving the church.

“The wife looked at me and said, ‘We’ve been behaving.’”

Raymond also says the talent level has changed dramatically with the emergence of year-round AAU basketball.

“They want the youth to choose a sport at a young age and stick with it,” he said. “Basketball’s running 12 months out of a year now.

“When I started officiating, you might have an AAU tournament every now and then. They’re all over the place now. Every weekend.”

Raymond says he’s always authoritative on the court, even if the call is questionable.

“When you start questioning yourself on the floor, the coaches are going to start questioning you and so are the fans, and then you have no control over the game.”

Control on the court keeps children safe, he says.

He remembers officiating a youth all-star football game at Kentucky State University not long ago. What was supposed to be a fun game to honor the kids for playing well during the season almost turned ugly at the end.

With a minute to go and up by 20 points, the leading team called a timeout instead of letting the clock run out.

Raymond says he thought the losing team might retaliate. A fellow official said he heard the losing coach tell one of his kids to hit the center before the snap of the ball.

“And that’s all I needed to hear. Ball game. Safety of the children first.”

Raymond also teaches young players as he refs. He gives little reminders, like telling them not to reach or to get out of the paint below the basket.

“I’m trying to teach them too as I’m officiating.”

One of his habits, he says, is talking to players during games, even if it’s to tell them they’re playing well.

“You know, just talking to them in general before I throw the ball in,” Raymond says. “They might be from Louisville, it doesn’t matter.”

He also uses it as a way to stay connected with his family. Not only does he officiate with his sons Raymond Jr. and Zach on occasion, but he also gets to coach his 5-year-old granddaughter, Keeli Brooke, during T-ball. His grandson, Eli, 2, will be old enough to participate in the Y in a few years.

“It’s really like family time for me.”

“Frankfort Faces” is a series that highlights people from within the Frankfort and Franklin County community. Each feature follows one of the city’s most unique personalities and includes a story, photos and video, which can be found by clicking the TV icon attached to the story online at state-journal.com.