This is interesting stuff, Rut. Was the crew chief someone other than the referee? I started a varsity crew for next season and have six of the nine regular season weeks filled so far on my schedule, including 2 weeks with one of those contacts you sent me -- thanks, BTW.
The contracts come to me as the crew chief and I am held responsible by the assignor, I suppose, if a crew doesn't show up. As far as I can tell, if a crew member doesn't work out all I'd have to do is replace that person on the crew. Is that what you mean?
How do other areas assign? Are crews and positions determined by the associations or by the crews? Is the crew chief the one who makes the important decisions regarding the crews?
Working umpire would not be fun for me -- I'd rather be sitting in the stands
Rich