[D1RefnKY]

Hello. It appears that I am the subject of some negative talk in the referee circles. However, many referees who are doing the talking have not once asked me what happened. They are only listening to others referees and joining in on the negative talk because that is what is “juicy.” However, I have a response and that is basketball is simply basketball; I must and will be a man first. If I lose officiating due to this, I will sleep well at night knowing that I have my dignity, honor, and self-respect. I will always fight for what I believe no matter what. In times like these, I have discovered who my REAL friends are and who are not to be trusted.

To those who want to further try to make me look bad and say that I should have done this or done that: Unless you are in my shoes, do not criticize me. Before you criticize someone, try to get the whole truth…there is always two sides to every story. Do not believe everything you read in the paper. They (Courier-journal) did not describe everything correctly. Things were omitted for whatever reason.

Regardless of what the majority of the public may think about my decision to challenge being removed from a game that I earned and that I felt I should not have been removed, I stood up for what I felt was right. I did not place myself above students or fans. Instead, I challenged an unjust decision due to the premeditated actions of another official, Darrell Bailey coming into the locker room – uninvited, and had to endure, in my opinion, racial slurs. It is easy for people to say, “Walk away,” when you are not facing the blunt of attacks or in that person’s shoes. The unfortunate outcome was what it was (the game being postponed), but never was my intent to harm kids in any way. I just wanted to work the game I earned and had been scheduled to work. What hasn't been mentioned is that I was removed by a person who I did not think had authority to remove me. Also, I have YET to speak to my assigning secretary. He was not the person who removed me and the KHSAA was not there either. They (KHSAA) only supported the decision AFTER it was unjustly made.

Nevertheless, after the “game” of basketball is played, I am the one who must look myself in the mirror and be able to maintain my self-respect, honor, and dignity. Yes, to me, that is worth fighting to defend...even if I lose officiating. This is an avocation no matter how much I love the game. I still have my career and that is what pays the bills.

Still, there is another lesson here: fight for what you believe no matter if EVERYONE is against you. It takes more courage to stand alone in the eye of a storm than to join the band wagon of negativity, which many have. There are some that have privately supported my actions. However, my strength comes from above through Psalm 1 as well as “My head is bloody, but unbowed - Invictus,” and “See It Through.” I can and will endure regardless of what some may think of me…

I DID NOT STOP THE GAME! The injunction was for me to WORK the game. The KHSAA opted to postpone the game rather than go against the decision to remove me from the game. I have no problem allowing everyone and anyone to see the court order. In fact, I am faxing it to Referee Magazine tomorrow...they called for an interview.

I did not want this attention. I just wanted to work the game I earned. I love officiating as you all do too. I felt that fighting for this was worth the risk. I stand by my decision to challenge the decision of the KHSAA despite public opinion that I was wrong.

I will take responsibility for getting into a verbal dispute, but I should have never had to be subjected to being called "BOY!" over and over to the point where I could no longer demonstrate restraint. Even when I walked away the LAST time, Darrell said, "That's right, you better walk away boy!" I utilized my legal right to challenge and for this I will NEVER apologize.

As far as being on the court, I never made it out to the floor. They stopped me after I was out of the locker room and prevented me from working the second half. That is why the altercation was visible by the public. They told me I could not finish the game in front of everyone. My honor, creditability, and reputation was at state. I told them over and over, "This isn't right! This isn't fair! He came into the locker room and started with me!"

Bottomline...if Darrell does not come into the locker room, attack me verbally, and accuse me of something I did not do...this never happens and you all never know who I am. I would have been wrong if I had beat him down too, right? Instead, I went to court to fight for what I believed.

I appreciate those of you who support my actions, but even if you do not, I will not allow my manhood to be questioned. Like I said, when the game of basketball is over I must still be a man first. Basketball will go on without me, but my manhood and self-respect is something I must live with until I breath no more.


Take care,

Victor Montgomery