[ref3808]

I got into officiating basketball when I was 54 years old. I don't have visions of exciting tournament assignments and progressing through the ranks until I reach some defined pinnacle of officiating.

I enjoy my involvement in a sport I love, but wasn't skilled enough to play at an advanced level. I am motivated to keep myself in shape and I get some exercise during the season that keeps me reasonably fit, and I pick up some money that helps with the occassional unexpected bill or allows me to spend on something I really want but don't need, or hand a few dollars to my daughter when she needs new tires on her car but can't quite see her way to pay the bill.

I learn something from each assignment, mainly because I try to remember two or three things from each game and either read the book to see if I handled it correctly, or change the scenario somewhat to challenge my knowledge of the rules.

Sure there's well played games and poorly played games, but there's no where I'd rather be. And I would never make a negative comment to anyone about a game experience.