As youth sports leagues in other areas struggle to keep referees, the Interstate 35 corridor has largely escaped the problems plaguing other areas, officials said.

According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, 80 percent of high school officials are quitting before their third year.

The most common reason refs throw in the towel is because of the way they are treated by the players’ parents, the association claims in a new campaign. In many areas of the country, t...