[SWFLguy]

(referring to mostly high school varsity)
I'm with "Big Ump"--- and I truly believe that a good
umpire can go a long way in controlling the flow and
temperment of a game.
When I first started football officiating in CNY I worked a
lot at "wings". Early in my career, I got assigned at Umpire
for a varsity game, and that was it !!
I worked at learning my position, began to get big games,
sectional play-offs, intersectional games, and eventually
state play-offs when they began.
Our assignor would frequently team me up with a
"weaker" referee, knowing that I was a stabilizing
factor. It was a good feeling to know that he had
such confidence in my ability.
Years later, I'm retired in SW FL and working a limited
schedule here, but still at umpire !
My legs are still good and I hope to stay healthy enough to
work for a few more years.
Umpires--- you gotta love it !!