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Originally posted by OverAndBack
Rut - you're misunderstanding me. I know there's a reason that "non-new" guys will work lower-level games (there are lots of reasons, actually - and not all of them are about performance or professionalism), and I said that I can't control that, nor do I care to. I worry about what I need to do and how I was taught to do things. I was taught to show up 90 minutes at least before a football game, so I do. The fact that I've had partners show up 10 minutes before the game doesn't matter to me, and it's not going to make me start showing up 10 minutes before a game. I do what I need to do and what I've been taught is the right way to do things - not because I'm worried about whether or not some assignor or evaluator is watching, but because I think it's the right thing to do.
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I understand that. Of course you cannot control what others do. Nor do I control what others do. All I can do is voice my basic opinion on this issue and it is up to the single official to make a decision. But there are a lot of officials that get held back because of issues like this. I had an assignor that told me to cut off my goatee if I was going to work in his conference. I want to work in his conference so I got rid of the goatee. It does not matter if it is fair or justified. Not everything we do is based on our talent on the court. It is often times the "little things" that can hold back officials. And in my experience it is these "little things" that go overlooked and are seen as "politics" as for why an official cannot advance. When I see an official show up dressed I do not say anything to them. That is between them and the assignor or evaluator.
Quote:
Originally posted by OverAndBack
I'm not on some sort of career track here - I'm too old to think about investing 20 years in this to try to get to the NBA or the NFL. I just enjoy doing games, and I approach the freshman "B" game on Monday night at 5:30 in front of 15 people like I would the varsity game on Friday night in front of 3,000 people. If others don't, that's cool, too. I can't control what others do, nor would I cast aspersions on anyone else who does things differently. I'm in charge of my preparation and deportment, not theirs.
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You do not have to be on an NBA or NFL track to show professionalism. I am young and I can say I will probably never get an opportunity to work the NBA. The NFL is more likely a possibility for me, but it is a very long way from now. The only reason the NFL would be a possibility because we live in an area and I belong to a football association that has current and past NFL Officials in the group. If that would ever be a realistic possibility, I would have to do what is required. And if I want to continue to work varsity basketball, I am going to have to maintain the standards that I do not set. When I gave my presentation about this at the AOA Meetings and IACAO Clinic, I addressed this very issue. It is up to those that were there to take the information and do with it as they see fit. All I did was share what I have learned and what others do and stick by as their personal philosophy. There are standards that are held high even with the fact that we are not working D1 or pro ball. Maybe your goal is to work playoffs at the HS level, there is a standard that not only is expected by officials, but the assignors, ADs, principals expect from us.
Quote:
Originally posted by OverAndBack
So I don't know why you're coming down on me and intimating that you'd put the kibosh on me working if you have the chance when I've gone out of my way to make it clear that I don't exhibit the behavior we're discussing here.
Take care. 
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I am not coming down on you at all. I am just making it clear to you what the standards are in the area we live. I do not make the rules, I am just reporting it. If I was telling a total untruth, I would have had a few veterans that saw my presentation call me on it. You cannot control what others do. If you try you will be fighting a very steep uphill battle. All you can do is work hard and do what is expected and someone will notice (if they have not already).
Peace