Well I can identify with certain coach/program directors having too much power. This weekend we had a NCAA sanctioned tournament in Lubbock and the director of the tournament had made it all the way to the title game only to have his *** handed to him by a small town team, naturally he starte in on the officiating crew. (2 of which are NCAA officials) threatening us by saying that we would never come back to his tournament. I didn't offer him a reply, didn't "T" him, and just brushed him off. He was getting his butt kicked, not liking it, and taking it out on us. We were too experienced to even stoop to a "T" in that situation. In fact, I believe a "T" is what he wanted. But in other situation, other coaches were seen calling him DURING GAMES on their cell phones to complain/offer concerns about officiating, and to some of the younger officiating crew, was very unnerving. The chapter who is in charge of officials isn't mine, but I offered them advice that they don't take that crap from him and if he doesn't like it, he can get his own officials. Lubbock is trying to get a national tournament for next year, and it would be pretty embarrassing if they couldn't get officials, wouldn't it? But like the officials said above, one bad decision could stain you for life as far as your demeanor. I understand that sometime enough is enough, but you need to consider your audience and the average mentality and basketball knowledge of the average fan. I am often reminded of that classic scene of "Forget Paris" in which Billy Chrystal comments to himself after fans are getting on him hard. I often comment to MYSELF during and after games to keep myself relaxed and calm. There might be legal repercussions in your state, but I don't know the exact laws where you are. My advice is to fight it, or find another league to ref in. Same goes for when a coach tells me that "I am never coming back to -----" I just say to myself that I will be in the officiating game longer than he will be at this school and I KNOW that I am doing a good job and everything will be alright. Most all the time I am correct. There are some coaches that I SCRATCH cuz we either just don't mesh or he/she just don't know the game. To take games like that to exact "revenge" is both unprofessional and not doing the kids justice. Remember, there is always a gym to call in...we run shorter and shorter on officials every year. Good luck.
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