[rpirtle]

Oh yeah, the original topic...as someone already posted before, in TX you simply have to demonstrate your proficiency on the court to receive Varsity games. Every official in our chapter is evaluated. If that evaluation reflects you are ready to do varsity level games then you could be doing varsity games that season. If you got the experience officiating church ball, rec ball, or kangaroo ball (whatever that is), it makes no difference. The Assigner makes the final decision. If the Assigner has enough officials to cover varsity games, you could work a JV schedule the first year (or part of the year) until the Assigner is more comfortable with your ability.

Most UIL high school games in TX are assigned by Assigners. UIL (University Interscholastic League) is the governing body that regulates all HS athletic and non-athletic events (B-ball, soccer, band, debate team, solo & ensemble competition, the number of school days a student can miss while participating in one of these events, etc.). UIL has acknowledged only one association that is approved to provide athletic officials to any UIL schools. It's my understanding, if you are a member in good-standing of a TASO chapter, then you can work any level of B-ball in TX public schools. TAPPS (TX Assoc of Parochial & Private Schools) regulates private schools. These schools contract directly with any official's organization in their area. It's up to the TASO chapter to assign the official to the games comensurate to their level of experience.

Having said that, we here in TX have a little "thang" known as the "scratch" system. It is the most archaic, antiquated, inequitable, and arbitrary system I have ever had the misfortune of coming across (for those of you who are still unsure whether I like this system or not...I do not). A coach can "scratch" any number of officials, at any time, for any reason, or for no reason. For instance, if you work a game and have a bad night (or you are assigned a game above your level of expertise), you could get "scratched" by the coach. A coach might even scratch you from his list if he doesn't know who you are (for new officials to the chapter). The coach will call your Assigner and tell him (or her) that you are no longer to do their games for the remainder of the season. However, the coaches have abused the system. And, to be honest, our chapter has not yet taken a stand to limit the number and frequency of scratches the coaches can perform. Suffice it to say, if you claim to be able to work varsity games but can not, you might get a few, but the liklihood that you will work more in the future is very low.

[Edited by rpirtle on Jul 11th, 2002 at 03:54 PM]