[JRutledge]

Originally posted by BktBallRef

Why do you keep using that term, Jeff? I've already told you, I could care less what the coaches want. It doesn't matter to me. I haven't said that I like it or dislike it. If that's the systems in Illnois, then that's great.

Coaches there must be different than they are In NC. Here, coaches want the best officials, without regard to race, creed, sex, national origin, religion, or anything else. No affirmative action, no quotas, just send the best officials, whoever they are.

My last post on this subject. It was a joy.

I use the term because it is true. Things happen in life that you and I have little control of. And merit is a good ideal and good principle, but I do not know too many places that uses a "true" merit system. The best qualified is always a value judgement and depending on who you are, that will be different. I know several companies that hire according to race and ethnicity, because of where the stores or business are located.

Now this discussion was not meant for an Affirmative Action discussion. Actually Affirmative Action is not at all what I am talking about or suggesting what is be used. This is just a credibility issue and pointing out that people of color and women on a basketball court is not very ususual. And I cannot speak for all areas, but where I live there are many female officials doing games. Now you will not see all-female crews, but it is not because they do not have the change. Just like the WNBA, women do not support women's sports like they do with men's sports. Men grow up loving sports, women do not unless they played them or not. And even if they did, they still might only like one or two sports. And because of that level of interest in sports from women, it shows by who tries to officiate.

Now it is way more complicated than that, but it explains some things.