Quote:
Originally posted by RookieDude
Maybe I was just a slow learner...but, there was no way I was ready for a college schedule in my second year! And in all my years of officiating, I haven't seen a second year official ready for anything close to Varsity or College ball.
Heck, it takes two to three years to get a full JV schedule in my area.
IREFU2...IMO, you've been reading to many JRUT posts. 
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Why is officiating so different than any other aspect of life? It took you 10 years to get a varsity or college opportunity, why does everyone else have to wait that long if they know what they are doing?
I know of people that have reached the state finals in less the 5 years in certain states (I had an official tell me this story from Louisiana). On this very board there was conversation that talked about an official that was working in the NCAA tournament this past year (maybe the year before) and this official had not officiating more than 5 years (I think he was a former MLB player). I know another official that worked D1 Women's basketball and did not officiate 6 years when picked up. I know of an NBA Official out of Chicago that did not work any varsity ball and he got to the NBA within a few years. I do not believe this guy worked 5 years total and he was in the NBA. He attended a bunch of NBA camps all over the country and was picked up by the NBA. Teddy Valentine worked a D1 game before he ever worked a HS varsity game. I believe Tom Rucker (retired a few years ago) was picked up by D1 assignors and he did not work a HS varsity game (article in Referee Magazine).
There are many examples of people advancing or understanding how to officiate in short periods of time all over the place. Now if that does not apply to you that is OK too. But do not tell everyone that someone is incapable of understanding something you cannot.
Peace