BRIDGEPORT, Pa. — In this episode of Referee Reference, Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Hall of Fame coach/Coordinator of Referee Education Ed Reed welcomes referee Easton Honaker to discuss championship officiating and his recent appointment to the officiating crew for the 2026 Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC) Championship on November 20-22, at Bucknell University.
An Astrophysics PhD student at the University of Delaware, Honaker shares his journey from playing collegiate club water polo at the University of Texas to becoming a respected National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) official.
Throughout the conversation, the pair discuss:
- Balancing astrophysics research and collegiate water polo officiating
- Easton’s journey from playing water polo to becoming a referee
- Preparing mentally for high-pressure championship games
- Referee positioning, communication and teamwork
- Managing physical play and maintaining control of a game
- Building professional relationships with coaches
- The challenges of officiating under multiple rule sets
- The importance of mentorship, consistency and self-evaluation
- Advice for aspiring water polo referees looking to advance their careers
Whether you are an aspiring referee, experienced official, coach, player, or fan, Referee Reference offers a closer look at the people who help make the game possible.
