Quote:
Originally Posted by fiasco
Like a lot of new officials, I'm always looking to learn from the veterans and from those who are now where I want to be in the future.
In that spirit, I'd like to invite you veteran and NCAA D-I officials to tell your story. How long have you been blowing the whistle? What was your experience like in "climbing the ladder"? How did you get your first "break" into college ball and beyond? What are some of the challenges and obstacles you faced along the way?
I'm not looking for your life story or anything. Just a paragraph or two that outlines what your officiating path has looked like to give guys like me a vision for the future.
|
Initially, I did every game that I could. HS games, summer games, AAU games, rec league games. Worked very hard on mechanics; if you have the comportment and look the part, it helps establish credibility. As I gained there, I started really working hard on judgment; being very self-critical and getting feedback on whether the perception was that my calls were correct was of paramount importance. Once you gain that self-awareness, you are ready to fit in with any crew and manage any game.
After working 6 years and ascending to HS varsity and playoff basketball, I got invited to a college camp and got picked up. Back then, personal connections were much more important than today in terms of moving up the college ladder. Being a former athlete, having family in college athletics, or being connected to "made" officials was the best and easiest ticket upwards. Today, while those things exist to some extent, how you look physically has become very important. Also, today the camps have become much more money maker than talent development/evaluation.
In the end, no matter what level you get to, your accurate self-awareness and court judgment will define your career. That will allow you to tailor the people skills (self-awareness) and the technical skills (rules & judgment) to make you successful anywhere you work. As with any other career, to advance to the higest levels, right place/right time is a component you cannot always control. But you can control trying to be the best you can through mentors and learning through feedback at camps.
Last thing. D-1 officials make huge personal time sacrifices to work those games. It takes its toll on families. Be smart about balancing your personal life with officiating. It has eaten many alive.