EASTON, Mass. (WLNE) — Students at Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School are learning the tools of the officiating trade — including from those who have worked games on the biggest stage.

With excitement building in New England ahead of the Celtics’ season opener Wednesday, students in the school’s new sports officiating pilot program got to hear from retired NBA referee Gary Zielinski.

Zielinski worked more than 1,000 NBA games and 18 playoff games before he was named Youth & Amateur Officiating Development Lead for the league in 2019.

Once he left that role, he said he wanted to continue the work. He now runs clinics through a group called RefReps.

Students at Wednesday’s clinic had a chance to learn fundamentals — such as positioning and mechanics — so they are prep

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