[JRutledge]

I have lived in the Chicago are for 10 years soon to be 11 years. I started officiating in West Central Illinois. I can say that my experience in the Chicago area has been much fairer and much less political. For one there are more games and opportunities in the Chicago area and if you do the right things you will get noticed. In other parts of the state, if you do not know the right people or liked by the right people, you will never get a shot. I also get a little tired of the politics talks that we have.

There is politics in everything. If you work in the Post Office there are people that have to play some politics to get certain jobs just like you would in any profession. Officiating is no different than any subjective, competitive adventure. Anytime you have people that are competing for spots, you will have jealousy and backbiting from time to time. I just try to treat others like I want to be treated and move on. You cannot handle how everyone treats you and whether people like you. There are people that will not like you as I learned early in my career because you get an opportunity they did not get. And you might get those opportunities just because you work harder than those not willing to work hard at all. Or you look the part and do all the right things mechanically and even rules application wise and you get a shot that some guy that never attends a camp will never get as well.

I am not sure what this has to do with the pecking order, but I think we are our best friends or worst enemies as officials.

Peace