Quote:
Originally Posted by Snaqwells
I've noticed that when ADs have to schedule the officials, they go way in advance (years). When they have assigners, the schedules are typically done much closer to game day (within a month or two).
|
It's the opposite here. Of course, each conference has a commissioner that assigns and competes with the other commissioners in getting officials lined up. So it's like an AD who hires for 6-12 schools.
Personally, I like the system. I moved here, made a lot of calls, sent a lot of letters and emails, and built up a full schedule (35+ varsity games) within a year. I worked 18 varsity games my first season here having only started looking for games in August (and remember, most schedules are done 1-2 years out). Other officials have been here 7 years or more and grumble about not being able to land varsity dates. I always wonder if they put the time and effort in that I do.
Having one assignor? Nah. I remember being in that situation and getting 2 games a week. Sometimes 1, as the assignor had to spread out the schedule across the whole group of officials. So I'd either have to work middle school or freshman or not work (and actually, varsity officials weren't allowed to work down, so it was really "not work" unless the guy was really in a bind). Here I can work as much or as little as I want and I control (to a certain extent) how much I work, how far I drive, etc. (when I complain about the length of a drive, it's self-inflicted). And if one assignor decides not to use me (it's happened) I can still work a full schedule at the level I want to work. And I can drop a conference where the coaches are out of control (it's happened).