[Sleeper]

HSWH,

Our association only covers Jr. High and High School. Youth leagues are covered by independent assignors. The mechanics are lax and a new official who only worked those games would develop bad habits that would hurt them later on. All of the first year guys work Jr. High and JV at different levels. Youth league is optional and outside the chapter.

There were several first year guys in the chapter this year who had varsity games, including a couple of crews made up of all first year guys that covered private school and six-man football. I ended up on a crew and had nine varsity games my first year. It's a trial by fire, but the need is there. Some of the older veterans in the chapter remember the times when you started in youth league, but with the growth in the number of schools we cover and a gradual decrease in the number of officials, it has become necessary for new guys to work varsity contests.

I don't know that I would have grown as fast and learned as much if I had just worked youth. I also can tell you that I wasn't ready for my first varsity game, either. But I am sure looking forward to next season.