[mplagrow]

I'll speak for the other half (or maybe not quite half). I have reffed for 13 years, and done about 60-80 games a year. I started to ref JV and V basketball about 3 years ago, but I have not very actively pursued it. So most of my Friday nights are spent reffing 7th-8th grade games in the Lutheran schools. There are quite a few in our area and they have a very competitve league. Some of these kids will play in high school. Some won't. But when you have two schools from the same town playing a close game with a packed gym, it is important to them. When they play their tournaments at the end of the season, it's important to them.

I understand that some of you may not appreciate why I wouldn't want to "advance" to high school or college and be Mr. TV Game of the Week. I do it for the kids. I taught grades 6-8 for many years, and enjoy helping them learn and grow. I enjoy having the respect of the players and coaches of the schools I regularly ref.

I still read my rulebook. I still attend clinics when I can. I still belong to a good association. I still "advance" in officiating. I just choose to do it on a personal level.