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"What's up Chuck?" - sorry, couldn't resist.
CLH, BE PATIENT! Your time will come. Something I have heard many times is that "when you are the best at where you are at, then you are ready to move on." Work at being the best at where you are, and your opportunities will present themselves.
I have been officiating for about 8 years now, and for the last 2-3 years I really believed I was one of the best in my Chapter. Then I started going to camps . . . and I was humbled very quickly. I too, received great reviews and critiques, and I have been told I should already be calling college ball, and yet I am not. I don't get discouraged though. The opportunity to call college games is a GOAL. Once that goal is reached, I will set another goal. Until then, I can only control what I have control over.
Where my officiating is concerned, that means, dressing professionally when going to games (I always wear slacks, dress shirt, and a tie, and many times I wear a jacket). It tells coaches and administrators that I want to be taken seriously, and that I take my responsibilities as an official seriously. I always have my uniform in prestine condition. I always hustle during the game. I always communicate with the coaches and players in a professional and courteous way. I always study and re-study the rules. I always ask other officials (more experienced) for their opinions and critiques of my officiating. When I can, I give coaches a blank tape and a SASE to send me a copy of the game film so I can evaluate my performance in that game (self-evaluation). I go to camps. I meet people. I talk with other officials. I hang out with officials that already call college games, and listen to their experiences. (If you want to make millions of dollars you don't hang out with the "fry-guy" at McDonald's to learn how, you hang out with people who make millions of dollars! Same with officials . . . if you want to go to the next level, spend time with people who are already there, not with 15-year veterans who still get a GREAT JH schedule each year.)
What I am saying is that focus on those things that YOU have ultimate control over, and the rest will happen on its own. If you focus on those circumstances and decisions you do not control, you will get more and more frustrated until you eventually get bitter, and maybe even quit!
OH, and HAVE FUN! I left a VG Tournament Championship game yesterday and as I walked out the door I remember thinking that I would have done the game for free. That is how much fun I had! I think it should be that way across the board. But that is just me. Best wishes and stay positive!
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