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I've recently been thrown into this problem in a major way, in my opinion. I began officiating sports in Washington State. I didn't know many people and didn't go to school there. So I saw no big deal in going anywhere and working any assignment given to me. After a while, I come to learn that the occasional student in my college classes was still a high school student that played a sport I worked. Oh well. I couldn't care less, and they expect that kind of attitude from somebody wearing the stripes.
However, I just moved back to Nevada and find myself wondering if I could work games at the high school I graduated from 10 years ago. I really don't think I'll have any problems: I never played football, none of the coaches that I was acquainted with are still there, and I'm very particular about calling a game honestly. I was a big fan of my school's football team and enjoyed going to their game each week, but what does that matter when I'd rather be known as a fair and honest official that works hard instead of a fan of so-and-so?
I think it's a bit easier since I graduated 10 years ago and there are only a few people left at the school (teachers) that were there when I graduated. The rest all went elsewhere, as my school was once a suburban school with lots of money but now is virtually a poor, inner-city school. So even any academic ties to the school are virtually broken.
I think the one thing I have going for me is that I enjoy watching officials more than players. I remember a WHL hockey game I attended last February: Vancouver at Seattle. I wanted Seattle to win: they were the home team and I'd always been particular to the Thunderbirds. The whole game, I was calling icing/no ice along with the linesmen. I would critique every call the ref made (I didn't care what team was penalized, I either agreed or disagreed). I also threw a big fit when a cheap shot by my team went noticed and un-penalized by the referee, and was very critical of a no goal call after the visiting team put the puck in the net. But that's OK. When I'm in the WHL one of these years, I'll do better (or at least my best). And I'm pretty certain I'll be as good as that ref was, even if I thought he missed some stuff.
Partiality? It's in the mind of the flag thrower.
-Craig
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