[JRutledge]

Originally posted by Goose
tomegun,

Just a few comments, but please don't take them personally.

The knock I had/have with a 7 year official being a clinician at a camp is this. Although his mechanics might be perfect (which they were not), he can't possibly have enough experience. There just isn't enough time to have seen what the 15-20-30 year official has seen. This does not make him a bad official, but I have to wonder about the experience.

Again, I'll use the simple analogy of a surgeon. Would you want a doctor operating on you with a few years of experience or one that say, has 30 years with the knife? More often than not, we choose the person with more experience. This does not mean they are necessarily better, but I think experience does count for something and surely in the real working world, experience does count. If it did not, then why is it necessary on every resume?

Not sure this is a good example. Some surgeons specialize in certain areas. I would rather have the surgeon that has had success at a particular area, then someone that has just been around a really long time. If an official is at the D1 level as a 7 year official, that is much longer than I have been at that level. He can teach me anything about officiating he likes.

Originally posted by Goose
>While you may not understand the mentality behind some >mechanics being put aside I hope you can understand that >something must seperate us as officials so we can't all >have the same exact mechanics.

I don't agree with this at all. We are to in effect not be seen nor heard. Why would I want to seperate myself from my fellow officials. The issue with a uniform mechanic code is to make us all alike, not seperate us. Why wear the same uniform if we are to seperate ourselves. On the contrary, we are taught, at least I was, that we should all look alike, talk alike, and work alike. No glasses, no overweight, same uniform, etc. So why throw out the mechanics? Why then even have a mechanics manual if we are to seperate ourselves? It sends the wrong message. I was always told that you were to be indistinguishable from your partner, and that you SHOULD NOT stick out.

If we all can't have the same mechanics, then throw them out.

Then are you saying that officials should have the same style no matter what?

Originally posted by Goose
>If your were to "make it" and worked for more than one >supervisor what would you do if they wanted different >things? If you did a HS game one day and a college game >the next day what would you do? Maybe adjust?

This is a bone of contention. As I said, the supervisors have way to much power. They have way to much control and quite frankly, interpret the game through their eyes instead of simply following the rules. FWIW, they have bent over backwards in my opinion to please the coaches.

What is your solution? Conferences hire who they want to assign their league and the NCAA assigns out of those conferences the officials they are going to use for NCAA Tournament. What solution do you have for this "problem" as you see it?

Originally posted by Goose
As for HS and college, they are two different games. I would suspect that there would be differences and there are, and these are with the RULES. Mechanics should not differ all that much except when there is a rule difference. Other than that, what right does the college guy have in throwing out the mechanics manual just because he made it? I must confess, it is a sore spot with me. Kind of like smoking. Don't preach to me about the ills of smoking while you are puffing away. Back to the old "do as I say, not as I do." To me it just sends a mixed message.

Well that is not going to happen anytime soon, nor should it. I can tell you are not a football official. If you were a football official you would realize the college mechanics are not even close to the same at the high school level.

Originally posted by Goose
>I would like to know what you mean by "I got my 3-man >stuff down." If this is as written then that could be why >someone with 7 years has enough experience to be D-1. This >official could already have his "3-man stuff down" and is >on the fast track moving up.

When I moved, I moved into an area that uses the 3 man system. Coming from an area that was strictly 2 man and having worked 2 man for some 19 years, has some drawbacks. I was thrown into the fire last winter in the 3 man system and ended up making my way through it due to some very forgiving partners. This spring I worked in tournaments every weekend that involved 3 man. I also thought it would be wise in attending a team camp that taught only 3 man, which is regarded as the best HS 3 man camp in the state. Since I needed more work and insight, I decided to attend and I am glad I did. I got my rotations down, and my coverage responsibilites down. Now all I need is more on court experience. That is what I meant when I said I got my 3 man stuff down.

When I started officiating I was exposed to 3 Man mechanics. I have worked 3 Man on a regular basis since the 2nd year of my officiating career. When I moved to my current area, I had more 3 Man experience than most 10 and 20 year officials. I was teaching many more veteran officials where to stand, what to do than they ever could tell me during the regular season.

Originally posted by Goose
As for the fast track to moving up, this assumes that all officals want to move up. Personally, I have passed that point in my life and other things are more important than the almighty schedule. I could care less if I move up at this point in my life. I officiate becasue I like it, not in hopes of moving up.

Are you suggesting that guys that want to move up through the ranks do not like officiating? I want to move up and want to achieve a lot in officiating, but that does not mean I do not like what I am doing.

Originally posted by Goose
Over the years, I have seen far to many couples split up over moving up. I've seen far to many drink to excess all in the name of moving up. I've seen far to many shuffle their kids off to military or private school while they are away from home 6 nights a week and then wonder why is my kid so rebellious. Cat Steven's "Cat in the Cradle" is a constant reminder of my priorities.

Not sure that is any different in officiating as it is with any profession or hobby. I know guys that like going to the strip club every night and it affects their marriage or relationship. Not sure these problems are just related to moving up in officiating.

Originally posted by Goose
Time has passed me. I've had my chances to move up and have turned both of them down. I'm happy where I am at. Of course, this is another bone of contention I have with the general position within the officiating world that says if you don't want to move up, there must be something wrong with you. Yea, I'm happily married and want to stay married. Yea, I'm not an alcoholic and have no intention in becomming one all in the name of moving up. Yea, I want to see my kids more often than peeking in on them while they sleep. So yea, I don't want to move up, nor do I need to move up. I just want to do the best job where I am at, and I can live with that fact.

Just some thoughts. Sorry to get off target.

You have not offended me at all. I just do not know what moving up has to do with being an alcoholic or not being a good husband or wife. I know a view husbands that put their children through school with the money they make from officiating. I think if you want to move up, you should convince your significant other what are the benefits of that extra money. I do not see how not moving up is going to keep your marriage or your kids happy.

Peace