For many, having one full-time job is plenty, but what about two? Whether it’s in the Liberty science lab or on an ice rink, Physics teacher Annette Lin keeps an exceedingly busy schedule.

 Learning to play ice hockey at only 13, Lin soon grew to love the sport and begin her career of refereeing after only a few months on the ice. Refereeing through her younger years until the present day, Lin wore her skates whenever possible, even through college classes. 

“I would fly out to Minnesota, work at a series, which is a Friday-Saturday game set, and then I’d fly home for classes on Monday. It helped me stay connected to hockey,” Lin said.

 Even today, Lin referees upwards of six games a week, managing to balance teaching and refereeing at the same time. In addition to this, Lin is also in another uncommon position: being a female hockey referee. 

“It’s weird to hear ‘female referee.’ People still don’t make those connections that girls are referees too,” Lin said.

When she started her career, Lin was one of only hundreds of female ice hockey

referees. 

“We’re up to 6000 officials out of about 36,000 officials across the country. That’s a good amount. We’ve come a long way in 30 years,” Lin said. 

At one point, Lin was in the top 5% of female officials in the United States. Not only is Lin unique as a female referee, she is also unique in that she balances a full-time job while doing it. No matter how busy her schedule is, Lin always makes time for a game. 

“Hockey is who I am,” Lin said, “It’s my identity.”