[26 Year Gap]

Here in VT, moving up is getting ratings from fellow officials sufficient to be qualified for varsity games. In reality, being seen by as many different varsity officials is important and as we as JV officials also pass along ratings for them, this can become quite competitive for attention. I live in a rural area where not many officials live, so I can get as many JV games as I wish. BUt if I stayed in my own area, I would not get seen by as many officials from the 'seat of power'. So I am venturing out into the more populous areas to do games to be seen by more officials and doing some AAU games to be seen by even more.

Initialy, I thought I would be happy just doing JV & Freshman games. But the competitiveness within me and the desire to improve has me setting my sights higher than they were initially. I don't see myself doing any state championship games, but I do see myself as a much better official in 5 years than I am today.

I may look into dual membership in NH if it looks like I am being frozen out here in a couple of years, but I am not going there right now.