[JRutledge]

Since there has been much discussion why we do what we do, then I ask why do you officiate? How did you get started in officiating? And finally, why do you stay officiating?

I do 3 sports. Football, Basketball and Baseball. Basketball is my favorite of all, but I spend a lot of time with the others of course. I do college in Basketball and baseball and varsity level in all of them. I primarily stick only to school ball mainly because all the Pop Warner, AAU, Summer travelling Baseball Leagues, I do not have that much time for with my real job. Those were great money when I was in college and helped me pay for (almost pay for) my truck.

I started all because I am a huge sports fan. I played all the sports I did at the varsity level in HS and wanted to stay close to the game. I thought I would coach but what better way to see a game night in night out and not have the emotional attachment to a school or winning or losing. I officiate to stay close to the game and that is it. I do not do this for the money, but it is nice to get paid for something that you are having fun doing. I stay because officiating for me has been about the relationships that you form with people of all walks of life with a similar interest. The most successful people I have met are officials. And it is fasinating to have relationships from a Mail carrier to a Bank President. Computer Technicians to Sales Representative. I have formed relationships with people that I will have as life long friends and stay close to the sports I have always loved since I can remember.

This is me, what makes you officiate?

Peace