Quote:
Originally Posted by BillyMac
When I was on my way up, I, and almost all of my fellow subvarsity colleagues, would stick around to watch the varsity game, and even observe the halftime, and post game, locker room discussion.
Today, many, but not all, subvarsity officials, work their game, take off their shoes, don't even bother to change, or shower, and give us a wave as they make a beeline out the gymnasium door.
My simple advice to subvarsity officials: Stay and watch the varsity game. You learn best by observing experienced officials working tough, competitive games. The adult beverages will still be cold later that evening.
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I think that the tide is changing in Central Ohio. 25 - 30 years ago, the varsity officials would actually select their JV referees. These referees obviously looked out for their own and put in good words for their JV officials.
Then, we had a rather lengthy period of time in which the FR/JV officials were completely disconnected with the varsity crews. Other than a brief meet-n-greet at halftime of the JV game (when the varsity officials would come into the JV locker room and introduce themselves to the JV guys), there was very little interaction.
Beginning with the 2008-09 basketball season, the largest suburban conference in Central Ohio decided to make some rather dramatic changes. First of all, they appointed a new League Commissioner. They then appointed new assignors in most sports. The new basketball assignor (who had been an assignor in a couple other conferences in the past) worked with the largest referee association (about 300 members), the commissioner and the ADs to create a mentoring program.
It is still very much a work-in-progress, but varsity crews are now paired with FR/JV crews for all league games. On the boys side, all FR//JV crews are 3-man crews to give the newer officials experience in 3-man mechanics prior to moving up to the varsity level. At least one, and in many cases two or three of the varsity offiicials will watch part of the FR game and ALL of the JV game. Lots of interaction at halftime from a mentoring standpoint. Frequently, the FR/JV officials stay to watch at least half of the varsity game (and come in for the varsity halftime discussion).
Other conferences have taken notice, as has the OHSAA (the program is now being run with OHSAA's blessing and support). The system is not perfect, but we are now working on developing a "cradle to grave" system for officials that will involve more relevant training, more extensive use of videos, more online training, etc. to make the progression a clearer path for all.