Something Seems Fishy: Riherd's, Tackett, and Arbiter

September 8Sep 8

A quick rundown:

Frank Riherd announced two years ago he planned to step away from running the scoreboard for the KHSAA.
After discussion, Riherd decided to continue for another year but announced on January 10, 2026 that he would be stepping away for good on June 30, 2026. (https://bluegrasspreps.com/forums/topic/256698-frank-riherd-steps-away-from-khsaa-scoreboard-to-due-to-health/#comments)
The Kentucky High School Athletic Association announced they would not be buying the software to continue the existing platform, leaving things up in the air for a new scoreboard headed into the 2026-27 school year.
At the January 15 Board of Control meeting, Julian Tackett is quoted as saying " "From the time Mr. Riherd told us nearly two years ago that he wanted to start to adjust his time commitment and focus primarily on the scoreboard after the transition of our data system to ArbiterSports, we have been very public in both our appreciation of his work and the need for that product to continue...While the future scoreboard may not be identical and could take on a different look or feel, we would not be acting responsibly if we didn't work to continue this great project. We are committed to the scoreboard continuing in 2026-27 and beyond after Frank steps aside on June 30 this year...” (https://khsaa.org/01-15-26-board-of-control-discusses-football-realignment-considerations-places-cornerstone-christian-recognizes-frank-riherd/)
From that point forward it was radio silence. There was no mention of a scoreboard per the minutes of the May or July Board of Control meetings. KHSAA communications director Brian Milan said "We will have a scoreboard' with later reports seeming to compare the new scoreboard to that of the Washington Intercollegiate Activities Association scoreboard, although no images or trials had been seen. (https://linknky.com/sports/2026/07/21/khsaa-arbiter-new-scoreboard/?fbclid=IwY2xjawUNbUBwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAGJyaWQRMWllQlRUNDZtVENMTHI4M0tzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe8hBR2xz6VWG9niaKI0IlXwF9Kc7nVs-TAR5bPXBSHMy0aKzeyJNoU2lZbXA_aem_2a8M7RSCeDOYHTULp4I7xQ)
According to Tackett, the "entire KHSAA staff had been working" since Riherd stepped down to get a finished product, even blaming the late release of required training for coaches and officials because the entire staff was working on the new scoreboard. That said, there still had been no updates, frame of reference, or anything else posted on the KHSAA website.
The new scoreboard made its debut on August 7, three days before regularly scheduled athletic events were to kickoff. Tackett told the Herald-Leader, "As the old man in the office, I'm still the guy that sits up on Friday nights to see how the scoreboard's working, because I know how big it is."
Read more at: https://www.kentucky.com/sports/high-school/article316944064.html#storylink=cpy (https://www.kentucky.com/sports/high-school/article316944064.html)
The new scoreboard was sharply criticized for its inability to move from team to team within a sport, lack of easy availability to access stats, and a general lack of user-friendliness.
In an effort to hopefully fix some issues, the new scoreboard included an "Instructions" tab at the top with new features listed that had been added and/or corrected. To my knowledge it has been updated twice. It includes a bullet point that is straight from the commissioner's mouth: "A large part of the next steps lies with the membership." But how does the membership fix this? (https://khsaa.arbiterwebsites.com/whats-new-at-kentucky-high-school/)
After seemingly tying the KHSAA and Arbiter at the hip, Tackett (along with Butch Cope) announced on August 24 they were retiring (https://khsaa.org/tackett-cope-announce-retirement-from-khsaa/).
Two weeks later, in a move I've never seen from the KHSAA in 40 years, they announced the next job for the retiring commissioner, coincidentally enough as a consultant moving to a full-time position with the NFHS. What field you might ask? Operations and Technology. Speaking of Tackett, NFHS executive director Davis Whitfield said, "His work in developing and overseeing an in-house technology platform - and guidance in transitioning that platform to a more modern system to help their member schools - demonstrates his ability to turn innovation into practical solutions." (https://khsaa.org/09-04-26-khsaa-commissioner-julian-tackett-to-join-nfhs/)
Interestingly, that modern system has been repeatedly and widely panned by the membership, administrators, coaches, and fans.
As an aside that might be important, in June 2025, Arbiter was named "Official and Exclusive Event, Game and Team Scheduling Partner of the NFHS. (https://nfhs.org/stories/arbiter-named-official-and-exclusive-event-game-and-team-scheduling-partner-of-the-nfhs)
While the KHSAA was stumbling toward a D-minus product with their new Arbiter-aligned scoreboard, a new scoreboard was created at www.kyhssports.com. Far from perfect, it did include easier access both online and through mobile, plus secure connections for administrators and/or coaches to submit scores.
The unknown (to me) owner of the new site tweeted on September 8 that he had a 40-minute phone conversation with Frank Riherd. "Buckle up, it's only going to get better," said @Kyhssports_ through his Twitter account. (https://x.com/Kyhssports_)

Questions from Me:

Why did the KHSAA not buy the software from Frank Riherd and continue the existing platform?
Why was Arbiter seemingly the "solo bid" for scoreboard development?
Why did it take eight months (and really closer to two years) to release a shabby Arbiter-tethered product just days before the season started?
Why was some unknown person (not unlike Frank Riherd 30 years ago) able to release a much better product in a short period of time?
Why is Frank Riherd communicating and giving advice to the producer of the new non-KHSAA aligned scoreboard?
Why was Julian Tackett seemingly 100% committed only to Arbiter, which just so happens to be tied to the NFHS, who just so happens to have hired Tackett for a consulting-to-full time job, only days after his abrupt retirement from the KHSAA, which came just weeks after the release of a terrible Arbiter-only product disliked by the entire state?
Who got paid?!

Edited September 8Sep 8 by gchs_uk9

11
8

September 9Sep 9

This is great stuff. It really is just bewildering how this random person out on the internet popped up with a superior product to the KHSAA.

4

September 9Sep 9

1 minute ago, se7ens said:
This is great stuff. It really is just bewildering how this random person out on the internet popped up with a superior product to the KHSAA.

Bizzaro World.

And from the Great Google AI Machine:

Bizarro World, also known as Htrae ("Earth" spelled backwards), is a fictional, cube-shaped planet in DC Comics where everything is the exact opposite of real life.

Key Features of Bizarro World

The Bizarro Code: The official law of the planet states that it is a crime to do anything well, make anything perfect, or create anything beautiful. Ugliness is revered, and imperfection is celebrated.
Inhabitants: The planet is populated by Bizarros—imperfect, chalk-faced, grey-skinned duplicates of Superman, Lois Lane, and other DC characters.
Backwards Logic: Inhabitants speak using antonyms, refer to themselves as "me" instead of "I," and express affection through violent actions like punching.
Geography: Htrae is shaped like a giant cube rather than a sphere.

4
1

September 9Sep 9

This is a Kentucky version of Pablo Torre Finds Out.

And I am here for it.

1

September 9Sep 9

1 hour ago, gchs_uk9 said:
A quick rundown:
Frank Riherd announced two years ago he planned to step away from running the scoreboard for the KHSAA.
After discussion, Riherd decided to continue for another year but announced on January 10, 2026 that he would be stepping away for good on June 30, 2026. (https://bluegrasspreps.com/forums/topic/256698-frank-riherd-steps-away-from-khsaa-scoreboard-to-due-to-health/#comments)
The Kentucky High School Athletic Association announced they would not be buying the software to continue the existing platform, leaving things up in the air for a new scoreboard headed into the 2026-27 school year.
At the January 15 Board of Control meeting, Julian Tackett is quoted as saying " "From the time Mr. Riherd told us nearly two years ago that he wanted to start to adjust his time commitment and focus primarily on the scoreboard after the transition of our data system to ArbiterSports, we have been very public in both our appreciation of his work and the need for that product to continue...While the future scoreboard may not be identical and could take on a different look or feel, we would not be acting responsibly if we didn't work to continue this great project. We are committed to the scoreboard continuing in 2026-27 and beyond after Frank steps aside on June 30 this year...” (https://khsaa.org/01-15-26-board-of-control-discusses-football-realignment-considerations-places-cornerstone-christian-recognizes-frank-riherd/)
From that point forward it was radio silence. There was no mention of a scoreboard per the minutes of the May or July Board of Control meetings. KHSAA communications director Brian Milan said "We will have a scoreboard' with later reports seeming to compare the new scoreboard to that of the Washington Intercollegiate Activities Association scoreboard, although no images or trials had been seen. (https://linknky.com/sports/2026/07/21/khsaa-arbiter-new-scoreboard/?fbclid=IwY2xjawUNbUBwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAGJyaWQRMWllQlRUNDZtVENMTHI4M0tzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe8hBR2xz6VWG9niaKI0IlXwF9Kc7nVs-TAR5bPXBSHMy0aKzeyJNoU2lZbXA_aem_2a8M7RSCeDOYHTULp4I7xQ)
According to Tackett, the "entire KHSAA staff had been working" since Riherd stepped down to get a finished product, even blaming the late release of required training for coaches and officials because the entire staff was working on the new scoreboard. That said, there still had been no updates, frame of reference, or anything else posted on the KHSAA website.
The new scoreboard made its debut on August 7, three days before regularly scheduled athletic events were to kickoff. Tackett told the Herald-Leader, "As the old man in the office, I'm still the guy that sits up on Friday nights to see how the scoreboard's working, because I know how big it is."
Read more at: https://www.kentucky.com/sports/high-school/article316944064.html#storylink=cpy (https://www.kentucky.com/sports/high-school/article316944064.html)
The new scoreboard was sharply criticized for its inability to move from team to team within a sport, lack of easy availability to access stats, and a general lack of user-friendliness.
In an effort to hopefully fix some issues, the new scoreboard included an "Instructions" tab at the top with new features listed that had been added and/or corrected. To my knowledge it has been updated twice. It includes a bullet point that is straight from the commissioner's mouth: "A large part of the next steps lies with the membership." But how does the membership fix this? (https://khsaa.arbiterwebsites.com/whats-new-at-kentucky-high-school/)
After seemingly tying the KHSAA and Arbiter at the hip, Tackett (along with Butch Cope) announced on August 24 they were retiring (https://khsaa.org/tackett-cope-announce-retirement-from-khsaa/).
Two weeks later, in a move I've never seen from the KHSAA in 40 years, they announced the next job for the retiring commissioner, coincidentally enough as a consultant moving to a full-time position with the NFHS. What field you might ask? Operations and Technology. Speaking of Tackett, NFHS executive director Davis Whitfield said, "His work in developing and overseeing an in-house technology platform - and guidance in transitioning that platform to a more modern system to help their member schools - demonstrates his ability to turn innovation into practical solutions." (https://khsaa.org/09-04-26-khsaa-commissioner-julian-tackett-to-join-nfhs/)
Interestingly, that modern system has been repeatedly and widely panned by the membership, administrators, coaches, and fans.
As an aside that might be important, in June 2025, Arbiter was named "Official and Exclusive Event, Game and Team Scheduling Partner of the NFHS. (https://nfhs.org/stories/arbiter-named-official-and-exclusive-event-game-and-team-scheduling-partner-of-the-nfhs)
While the KHSAA was stumbling toward a D-minus product with their new Arbiter-aligned scoreboard, a new scoreboard was created at www.kyhssports.com. Far from perfect, it did include easier access both online and through mobile, plus secure connections for administrators and/or coaches to submit scores.
The unknown (to me) owner of the new site tweeted on September 8 that he had a 40-minute phone conversation with Frank Riherd. "Buckle up, it's only going to get better," said @Kyhssports_ through his Twitter account. (https://x.com/Kyhssports_)
Questions from Me:
Why did the KHSAA not buy the software from Frank Riherd and continue the existing platform?
Why was Arbiter seemingly the "solo bid" for scoreboard development?
Why did it take eight months (and really closer to two years) to release a shabby Arbiter-tethered product just days before the season started?
Why was some unknown person (not unlike Frank Riherd 30 years ago) able to release a much better product in a short period of time?
Why is Frank Riherd communicating and giving advice to the producer of the new non-KHSAA aligned scoreboard?
Why was Julian Tackett seemingly 100% committed only to Arbiter, which just so happens to be tied to the NFHS, who just so happens to have hired Tackett for a consulting-to-full time job, only days after his abrupt retirement from the KHSAA, which came just weeks after the release of a terrible Arbiter-only product disliked by the entire state?
Who got paid?!

Well done!!

Someone please send this post to the Courier Journal and/or Herald Leader.

1

September 9Sep 9

Unfortunately #7 is what makes every decision that comes down the line. Usually not for the betterment of the consumer !

September 9Sep 9

Image of This exact room, two floors up!

All they had to do. The same thing as before, hosted by them. ALL. THEY. HAD. TO. DO.

1

September 9Sep 9

Really nice post here. Very valid points as well. I have loved the Riherds product for so many years, like many, and miss it much.

Unfortunately you cannot buy something that isn't for sale. And while the KHSAA paid some operating costs to it, that I admit I do not know, the product was Mr. Riherds and he is the lone person who could sell or hand it over. The state office couldn't afford it if he asked a reasonable price anyway, I would assume. I also don't presume to understand how tech sale prices bloom to great costs, but someone knowledgeable could probably get us a figure.

This whole two year process makes you really wonder if there was a fracture between the KHSAA and Mr. Riherd and with his health, and legacy, to consider - it's possible he chose to let it live on in its current form, a historical database. However, given the state of the current scoreboard, and the ease of the rival ones, hopefully someone would be handed the reigns as a gesture to keeping it running, but that's my selfishly wishful thinking.

1

September 9Sep 9

This is going to be so interesting how this plays out with the Arbiter system and the system that kyhssports.com is trying to build quickly. I find it also ironic that the Arbiter system just rolled out the stat communication when the rival site is gaining traction.

Who's going to get the schools to work with them? I see the frustration with school admins if they are providing info to the Arbiter system and then the kyhssports site is also trying to get schools to update their system. Schools are going to throw up there hands and say "I'm sorry but I'm just updating 1 and if I "have to' to Arbiter that's the one we might have to be forced to use. Unfortunately the other option in kyhssports.com at this current state looks way more "user friendly "

I have been working my tail off helping kyhssports.com with schedules/scores/contacts.

I feel like this is going to be any interesting battle in the upcoming weeks.

Grab your popcorn!!

3

September 9Sep 9

13 hours ago, gchs_uk9 said:
A quick rundown:
Frank Riherd announced two years ago he planned to step away from running the scoreboard for the KHSAA.
After discussion, Riherd decided to continue for another year but announced on January 10, 2026 that he would be stepping away for good on June 30, 2026. (https://bluegrasspreps.com/forums/topic/256698-frank-riherd-steps-away-from-khsaa-scoreboard-to-due-to-health/#comments)
The Kentucky High School Athletic Association announced they would not be buying the software to continue the existing platform, leaving things up in the air for a new scoreboard headed into the 2026-27 school year.
At the January 15 Board of Control meeting, Julian Tackett is quoted as saying " "From the time Mr. Riherd told us nearly two years ago that he wanted to start to adjust his time commitment and focus primarily on the scoreboard after the transition of our data system to ArbiterSports, we have been very public in both our appreciation of his work and the need for that product to continue...While the future scoreboard may not be identical and could take on a different look or feel, we would not be acting responsibly if we didn't work to continue this great project. We are committed to the scoreboard continuing in 2026-27 and beyond after Frank steps aside on June 30 this year...” (https://khsaa.org/01-15-26-board-of-control-discusses-football-realignment-considerations-places-cornerstone-christian-recognizes-frank-riherd/)
From that point forward it was radio silence. There was no mention of a scoreboard per the minutes of the May or July Board of Control meetings. KHSAA communications director Brian Milan said "We will have a scoreboard' with later reports seeming to compare the new scoreboard to that of the Washington Intercollegiate Activities Association scoreboard, although no images or trials had been seen. (https://linknky.com/sports/2026/07/21/khsaa-arbiter-new-scoreboard/?fbclid=IwY2xjawUNbUBwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAGJyaWQRMWllQlRUNDZtVENMTHI4M0tzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe8hBR2xz6VWG9niaKI0IlXwF9Kc7nVs-TAR5bPXBSHMy0aKzeyJNoU2lZbXA_aem_2a8M7RSCeDOYHTULp4I7xQ)
According to Tackett, the "entire KHSAA staff had been working" since Riherd stepped down to get a finished product, even blaming the late release of required training for coaches and officials because the entire staff was working on the new scoreboard. That said, there still had been no updates, frame of reference, or anything else posted on the KHSAA website.
The new scoreboard made its debut on August 7, three days before regularly scheduled athletic events were to kickoff. Tackett told the Herald-Leader, "As the old man in the office, I'm still the guy that sits up on Friday nights to see how the scoreboard's working, because I know how big it is."
Read more at: https://www.kentucky.com/sports/high-school/article316944064.html#storylink=cpy (https://www.kentucky.com/sports/high-school/article316944064.html)
The new scoreboard was sharply criticized for its inability to move from team to team within a sport, lack of easy availability to access stats, and a general lack of user-friendliness.
In an effort to hopefully fix some issues, the new scoreboard included an "Instructions" tab at the top with new features listed that had been added and/or corrected. To my knowledge it has been updated twice. It includes a bullet point that is straight from the commissioner's mouth: "A large part of the next steps lies with the membership." But how does the membership fix this? (https://khsaa.arbiterwebsites.com/whats-new-at-kentucky-high-school/)
After seemingly tying the KHSAA and Arbiter at the hip, Tackett (along with Butch Cope) announced on August 24 they were retiring (https://khsaa.org/tackett-cope-announce-retirement-from-khsaa/).
Two weeks later, in a move I've never seen from the KHSAA in 40 years, they announced the next job for the retiring commissioner, coincidentally enough as a consultant moving to a full-time position with the NFHS. What field you might ask? Operations and Technology. Speaking of Tackett, NFHS executive director Davis Whitfield said, "His work in developing and overseeing an in-house technology platform - and guidance in transitioning that platform to a more modern system to help their member schools - demonstrates his ability to turn innovation into practical solutions." (https://khsaa.org/09-04-26-khsaa-commissioner-julian-tackett-to-join-nfhs/)
Interestingly, that modern system has been repeatedly and widely panned by the membership, administrators, coaches, and fans.
As an aside that might be important, in June 2025, Arbiter was named "Official and Exclusive Event, Game and Team Scheduling Partner of the NFHS. (https://nfhs.org/stories/arbiter-named-official-and-exclusive-event-game-and-team-scheduling-partner-of-the-nfhs)
While the KHSAA was stumbling toward a D-minus product with their new Arbiter-aligned scoreboard, a new scoreboard was created at www.kyhssports.com. Far from perfect, it did include easier access both online and through mobile, plus secure connections for administrators and/or coaches to submit scores.
The unknown (to me) owner of the new site tweeted on September 8 that he had a 40-minute phone conversation with Frank Riherd. "Buckle up, it's only going to get better," said @Kyhssports_ through his Twitter account. (https://x.com/Kyhssports_)
Questions from Me:
Why did the KHSAA not buy the software from Frank Riherd and continue the existing platform?
Why was Arbiter seemingly the "solo bid" for scoreboard development?
Why did it take eight months (and really closer to two years) to release a shabby Arbiter-tethered product just days before the season started?
Why was some unknown person (not unlike Frank Riherd 30 years ago) able to release a much better product in a short period of time?
Why is Frank Riherd communicating and giving advice to the producer of the new non-KHSAA aligned scoreboard?
Why was Julian Tackett seemingly 100% committed only to Arbiter, which just so happens to be tied to the NFHS, who just so happens to have hired Tackett for a consulting-to-full time job, only days after his abrupt retirement from the KHSAA, which came just weeks after the release of a terrible Arbiter-only product disliked by the entire state?
Who got paid?!

Inquiring minds what to know the answer to those fair questions.

September 9Sep 9

I saw the Post on Twitter announcing he was working on it and immediately followed. It is so much better, and the coaches actually sending in the data has been so beneficial.

September 9Sep 9

12 hours ago, FrankNicodemus said:
This is going to be so interesting how this plays out with the Arbiter system and the system that kyhssports.com is trying to build quickly. I find it also ironic that the Arbiter system just rolled out the stat communication when the rival site is gaining traction.
Who's going to get the schools to work with them? I see the frustration with school admins if they are providing info to the Arbiter system and then the kyhssports site is also trying to get schools to update their system. Schools are going to throw up there hands and say "I'm sorry but I'm just updating 1 and if I "have to' to Arbiter that's the one we might have to be forced to use. Unfortunately the other option in kyhssports.com at this current state looks way more "user friendly "
I have been working my tail off helping kyhssports.com with schedules/scores/contacts.
I feel like this is going to be any interesting battle in the upcoming weeks.
Grab your popcorn!!

I agree with this. If I'm a school and have to upload stats, I'm not going to do it to three different websites. I'm going to upload it to the one that I have to.

September 9Sep 9

3 hours ago, DearToday said:
I agree with this. If I'm a school and have to upload stats, I'm not going to do it to three different websites. I'm going to upload it to the one that I have to.

Welcome to my world.

1. My own stat software 2. Arbiter 3. Maxpreps 4. Kyhssports (possibly) Also: reports to coaches, news outlets, and BGP.

3
1

September 9Sep 9

42 minutes ago, nkypete said:
Welcome to my world.

1. My own stat software 2. Arbiter 3. Maxpreps 4. Kyhssports (possibly) Also: reports to coaches, news outlets, and BGP.

Thank you @nkypete!

1

September 9Sep 9

1

Something Seems Fishy: Riherd's, Tackett, and Arbiter

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