View Single Post
  #2 (permalink)  
Old Thu Jan 06, 2005, 05:17am
Nevadaref Nevadaref is offline
Official Forum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 15,015
First my advice. As you know there is some politics in everything in life. Some places and organizations have more than others. Don't quit because of the politics. If you really aren't having fun and making friends, then those are reasons to go do something else with your time.

Now, that being said, I can certainly relate to your situation. I moved from DC to NV three years ago.
I quickly found that the seniority system was king in the basketball association and it was very political, whereas the soccer association did assessments and rewarded fitness and merit.
I used to have a very good schedule back east where there was excellent basketball. Out here the basketball isn't very good and frankly the officiating reflects that.
I was given all jv and freshmen games my first season here. The assignor did not want a letter from my former association, nor did he bother to come watch me. Part of the problem was that he worked games himself, while I was used to the non-working commish in DC, who had the time to see and evaluate his officials.
I became quite frustrated with having to work my way up again and "paying my dues" since I was already an experienced official. I almost quit after last season, when I wasn't selected for the postseason. However, we had a seachange in the organization and the old assignor was out. I had a talk with a board member, who assured me that things would be very different. They are. We've put in a rating system and officials are evaluated in writing. My personal rating went way up, and I've worked a number of the top games, including tonight's league opener. I'm glad that I came back. (And I'm still happy to do a jv or freshmen game, which I will do Friday. )

Conversely, during the same three year period that I was having no luck making headway with basketball, I worked varsity my first season in soccer, did regionals my second year, and had both the 4A boys regional and state finals this season.

Maybe basketball associations are just more difficult that way. You have been recognized by the football and baseball guys, perhaps basketball will turn around for you the way it did for me. Give it some thought, before you decide to hang it up.
Whatever happens, best wishes.


Reply With Quote