JENNA SCHROEDER

Jenna Schroeder and Natalie Sago made up two-thirds of the officiating crew that night. She started refereeing when she was 17 to make some extra money, but now it’s her dream job and she’s breaking down barriers. There are currently five full-time women as referees in the NBA and two others who are not on staff during this season. Schroeder said women empowering women and supporting each other is how to break into male-dominated worlds. “I want my daughter to think her mom is strong enough to break barriers and do whatever she has to do,” Schroeder said.

“I met Jenna, well, she played college basketball, so I was officiating,” Del Duco said. “She was very passionate about officiating, trying to be 100 percent on all of her calls,” Del Duco said. Del Duco said that she and Schroeder have had long conversations about getting more young people involved in officiating. “Hopefully she can get back on track with that, too, and give back,” Del Duco said. Watching film allows both Del Duco, Schroeder and other referees to review calls they made or did not make during a game.