PHOTOS COURTESY OF JEN BERKE

Jen Berke is a food photographer who’s headed to the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on Dec. 23.

But, the Hampton resident won’t be snapping pictures of prize spuds; she’s one of 10 officials working the NCAA Division I football game between the Utah State Aggies and the Georgia State Panthers. It’s the longest-running cold-weather bowl game in college football, so heat up some tater tots and watch the action live starting at 1:30 p.m. Saturday on ESPN.

“I’m thinking there are going to be a lot of potatoes in the pre-game,” says Berke, who, as side judge, will keep her eyes peeled in the defensive backfield. “And the winning team dumps a big container of french fries on the coach.”

I wish that happened to me each time I completed a story.

BERKE AND FELLOW OFFICIAL STACY JAMESON

For 12 years, Berke’s donned the black-and-white-striped uniform on high school gridirons and college campuses. She is a member of the Collegiate Officiating Consortium and refs games in the FCS Missouri Valley Conference and the FBS Mid-American and Big Ten conferences. She has a part-time gig reviewing injury replays for the Steelers’ sideline medical staff. 

It’s the perfect role for the lifelong sports fanatic whose parents enrolled her in gymnastics when she was 3 years old. While growing up in Elizabethtown, Pa., Berke played softball, field hockey, basketball, volleyball and rugby and ran track. She never let gender stop her from chasing her athletic dreams. 

“I lifted weights with my high school football team,” she says. “I was stronger than the underclassman guys by the time I was a senior.”

After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh with a chemistry degree, the self-described introvert joined the Pittsburgh Passion Women’s Football team, serving as wide receiver, defensive back and kick returner. 

In 2011, after several years in the league, she hung up her cleats to have a baby. 

Days after giving birth to her daughter, Berke attended an NFL-sponsored officiating clinic for women to encourage more females to tackle the role. Later, during another weeklong seminar for aspiring refs, she received $300 worth of free gear, including the striped uniform, penalty flags, beanbags, a notebook and, of course, a whistle.

Berke says there’s a need for officials on every level throughout the country. She encourages locals, especially women, to get involved by joining the Greater Pittsburgh Football Officials Association.  

When she’s not cooking, baking, playing with her two kids or photographing recipes for food blogs such as Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen of the Pacific Northwest, Berke works 10 college football games a season. Saturday will be her first time officiating a bowl (she suggests serving a keto-friendly Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball at your watch party). The pay is higher for championship battles, but so is the criticism. Even when a crowd of 85,000 is hurtling boos in her direction, she takes it all in stride.  

“I notice if a coach is mad because I’m right in front of them, but I get so focused on what I’m doing I don’t notice fans at all,” she says. “It’s such a fun thing to be involved in, but you need thick skin.”

Kind of like a potato.