Quote:
Originally posted by Smitty
I know every association and area of the country is different. But the biggest benefit of "forcing" everyone to work all levels is that it helps to avoid the clique factor, where there is a huge divide between the have's and the have-nots. Whare the have's are the big game only officials and the have-nots are the officials who want to be big game officials. I've worked in associations where that divide is pretty big and there tends to be a lot more dissention in the ranks than here in this association where you still have big game officials, but you might get to work with them and actually get to know them at a freshman game. People are less likely to form judgements, I think. I'm still new to this association so maybe I'm just still naive as well.
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Smitty's right about this association. You don't "pay your dues" and then "rise to the top." My second year, when I was still extremely green (translate: really terrible), I worked a freshman girls game with one of the top female officials in this state who was even at that time working D2 games, and had done several state tournaments. She was helpful, encouraging and warm to me, and gave the game her best. Since that time, I've seen her working ms games, low-level and very low quality games, and the best D2 games, as well. She is definitely an example for all of us. She has helped me get from really terrible, to not too bad, and when I need help to get to pretty good, she'll do that too. Every association should be run this way.