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Ref18,
I still at 27 (5th year of HS varsity) get abused constantly about being young (especially since I look closer to 22). It seems to come with the territory when you start this avocation at an early age. After a coach sees you a couple of times and realizes you can do the job, he'll back off.
Some coaches tend to test officials of all ages and abilities especially when their is something to use to test them (being young, old, overweight, short, wear glasses, etc). As hard as it can be at times, we have to let it roll off our backs and work the game the best that we can. Problems can arise if you take a "Hey, does he go to school here" type comment and T someone up. Then they know they got in your head and you can be rattled.
The key is to be the best you can be. Look the part and work hard. I would never suggest hanging up the stripes for a few years, just to look older. There's only a finite number of games/years you will be able to work and I would never suggest missing some just because you are young.
OCReferee
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