Pro referee promotes youth football, cheerleading in the Fox Chapel area

Mary Jane “MJ” Evagash grew up in Troy Hill, not far from the roar of the Steelers games at the stadium.

That early memory exposed her to sports as a youngster, and her love of football remains.

She wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I’m a proud fifth-generation North Sider,” Evagash said. “I grew up playing every sport, primarily basketball. My mom is a referee. I always knew I wanted to be an official like my mom. From an early age, I was captivated by the official training, finding them both fascinating and engaging.”

Evagash’s mother, Kate Foley, was 19 when she gave birth, and Evagash grew up poor but surrounded by strong women.

“I grew up in a house with four generations of women. I didn’t have a father,” Evagash said. “My mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and me. We didn’t have much, but we had each other and we had sports. Family is great.”

Being raised among four generations of women rubbed off on Evagash, who spent summers with relatives in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

“Strong women down South,” she said. “I never take no as an answer. My slogan is ‘Make Solutions, Not Problems,’ and I can be intimidating but classy when I need to be.”

The Indiana Township resident is a full-time professional referee with more than 20 years of officiating experience. She also is the Women’s Lacrosse Coordinator of Officials at the NCAA, NIAA and College Club levels and a National Elite Women’s Lacrosse Official.

She’s responsible for managing more than 500 referees in 25 states in women’s lacrosse for the NCAA and NAIA conferences.

“I’m a big boss in lacrosse,” Evagash joked. “That’s why I’m so skinny. I’m always running around.”

Additionally, she referees high school basketball and collegiate field hockey.

Refereeing isn’t for the faint of heart.

“The biggest challenge is managing conflicts and making tough decisions under pressure — especially when emotions run high during games — or when disagreements arise within the organization.”

Evagash has to balance fairness while maintaining a positive game environment.

“I have to stay level and calm when the game gets really tense,” Evagash said.

Referee travel includes frequent road trips and flights.

Missing her children is a tough aspect of her travel responsibilities associated with the job.

“I miss my child’s game to be at other people’s child’s games while they’re not always nice to me,” she said.

Evagash attended grade school at the former Most Holy Name School and graduated from North Catholic High School in 1999.

Evagash’s daughter, Talyson Mellott, learned to referee from her mother and praised her knowledge of the job.

“Nothing makes a rockstar official more than the ability to adapt and understand the sport you are officiating,” Mellott said. “I see that embodiment within my mother. She’s a great role model, and every official could take a few notes from her.”

A doting mother of four, Evagash serves as president of the Fox Chapel Little Foxes and Foxettes, which she co-founded two years ago with her husband, Jonathan, with a goal of changing the football culture in the Fox Chapel area.

“The culture of cheerleading and competitive cheer is growing by leaps and bounds,” she said. “Fox Chapel really wants a winning program. We’re building this program so we can win at the high school level.”

Courtesy of MJ Evagash

Three generations of referees: MJ Evagash with her mother, Katie Foley, and daughter Talyson Mellott at the Senior Olympics held at the Pittsburgh Convention Center.

The youth football and cheer program welcomes boys and girls ranging in ages from 5-12.

Participating football players are required to reside in the Fox Chapel Area School District. Cheerleaders are allowed to reside outside the district.

“We are here to teach your kids not only the fundamentals of an organized sport, but the importance of teams, friends and community. We’re proud of our Fox Chapel community, and we want you to be a part of it,” Evagash said.

In its third season, participation has grown. As members of the United Youth Football League, the Little Foxes compete against teams that include Plum, Shaler, Butler, Mars, Avonworth, North Hills, Pine Richland and Seneca Valley.

The first year welcomed about 100 kids combined; last year, enrollment doubled.

Summer clinics attract hundreds of kids.

“We’re changing the culture. We’re a big Fox family and that’s important to us. A lot of volunteers help and our board is phenomenal,” Evagash said. “Everyone in Fox Chapel wants this.”

All practices are held at O’Hara Elementary School.

Family is paramount for Evagash, and she touted her biggest work perk is all of the amazing friends she’s met along the way over the past 20-plus years.

Listening to country music and getting little sleep are two realities with her hectic but happy lifestyle.

“My hobby is being a mom. Going into this third season, I’m most looking forward to being around the kids. They are what I’m all about,” Evagash said.

When time permits, dining at Nox’s Tavern & Grille in Blawnox is Evagash’s favorite foodie destination.