Quote:
Originally posted by SMEngmann
The one thing as a young official that make me laugh is the constant bemoaning of the role that politics plays in getting assignments. Sure, politics may play a role, but it's the easiest out, the equivalent of saying, "I don't play because my coach doesn't like me." People who tend to dwell on politics seem to focus more on things out of their control, rather than things that are in their control, like improving their game (including appearance and conditioning). If you feel like you're being stiffed by an assignor, all you can do is improve to the point where he has no choice but to use you or to a point where you can move on to bigger and better things. One thing I know about assignors is that they can't continually send bad officials to games out of personal loyalty because then the schools and leagues will complain about the officiating and soon the assignor will be out of a job. The assignor has a vested interest in providing good officials and his reputation is on the line.
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Here is what translation of when someone claim politics means. "I am too lazy to do the things to get ahead, so I will just complain I cannot get ahead." In my area to get ahead, you have to attend camps. Unless you have established yourself as an official that always goes far in the playoffs, you have to attend camps on a regular basis. Our state requires officials to attend a licensed camp with the IHSA every 3 years, or possibly lose your license. Well we have two kind of camps. One is what is called a 4 hour camp. All that is just a classroom camp. No floor work. But it fulfills the requirement from the state and you can keep your license by attending this camp. The other is a 6 hour camp, both classroom and floor work. The 6 hour camps are what assignors use to hire new officials and helps you keep your place in the conference in some cases. Well guys will not attend any camps and will not attend association meetings, but complain all day that it is "politics" that is holding them back. There are many socials in the area that officials can attend that are held by different groups as just a get together. Many officials do not attend those and what do they do, complain it is politics. Many of the guys that attend these things are assignors and other prominatate individuals that would make good sense to just meet. What do many do, stay at home. Even a great way to learn officiating is to watch other veteran officials work their games. One way is if you are doing the Sophomore or JV game before the varsity, then stick around and watch the varsity. What do many guys do, go home and watch nothing. I used to always watch the veterans work. Not only did I want to see what it took to be there, I wanted to see what I could learn and what I needed to do to get better. I am not going to say I am the best official, but I am there for a reason. My partners are there for a reason. Why not watch officials that have accomplished some things to get better? But no, it is the assignor does not like me. Or the "old boy's club" is at work. I might agree that the "fat officials" are not the first choice anymore. But they might have years of experience. They might have more respect than the rookie that is slim as to their ability. It might be expected to what they are going to get from those officials. Rookies, you might not know how many mistakes they will make. And the vets might have done several playoff games and even a state final or two in their career. Yes, they might be on their downward spiral, but they are better for the game they are doing than someone who has not proven themselves yet.
You have to put in some work. It does not just fall in your lap without some work. And it helps if you have the right people pulling for you as well. But you never get to meet those people sitting at home and just working your game and going home. There is a reason lawyers and doctors and business people play golf. It is not just to play a game, it is to make deals and contacts as well.
Peace