Quote:
Originally posted by imaref
Rich....
What a fiasco....sounds like you and your partner handled it as best as you could. WIAA is long overdue here in Wisconsin for the 3rd official. I have always felt the issue has been a "safety" issue. I happen to be a school board member in our district and have advocated 3-whistle for the last two-three years...all I get in discussion is the "expense" excuse. Our superintendent is a member of the WIAA Board of Control. I've spoken to her several times about situations where an extra pair of eyes can greatly contribute to the overall safety and conduct of the game with regard to sportsmanship issues as well. She has agreed in principle and believes that WIAA will approve, but it's still going to be left in the hands of school administrators and ADs. With budgets being critical in most districts....adding the additional expense for the extra official at the varsity level is not a priority in the greater scope of district budget additions....we just need to continue "educating" the key people and get this done once and for all for the greater "good" of the game!
I'd like to share your comments about the game with our Superintendent so she can pass on another perspective to members of the WIAA Board of Control at their next meeting...with your permission, of course.
Our game at Portage wasn't as eventful as yours. I did get a new butt hole carved in me when Prep's coach thought I missed a traveling call when I granted a time out to the kid he thought travelled. I explained to him the player could not travel as he didn't have possession of the loose ball. Both players were sliding on the floor trying to get the ball....the Portage kid recovered and gained possession and realized that he couldn't pass off without committing a travel so he signalled for a timeout which I granted. Opponent coach blew chow thinking that in the scrum the Portage kid had to have travelled because he had possession. Well you see the problem....he sees what he sees and believes what he sees....and of course I inform him that there was no control until the Portage player regained possession at which time he signalled for the TO. Other than that....game went fairly well. I will mention that when we were leaving LP's coach came up and apologized for his behavior...a parent had videotaped the game and while the coaches were waiting for their players, viewed that particular play situation....he said the call was correct...the ball was "visibly" loose and not in control until I recognized the TO by the player. Pheww....(Hey...let's talk about replay??) HA....HA....
That's why I love this game!
later....
wl
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Feel free to use this, WL. Of course I didn't include any of that in my report to the state. It's no excuse for missing something on the court, just a fact that a third official increases the number of eyes by 50%.