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Here it is in its entirety.
Mr. Chandler - the article in The Advocate quoting you following your loss was posted on an internet discussion board for sports officials. As a 24 year veteran basketball official and a member of the National Association of Sports Officials, I must tell you I find your remarks regarding the officiating at your game to be unprofessional, insulting and ludicrous. Blaming the referees for the lack of skill of your players sends the message to those kids that they don't have to take responsibility for the consequences of their own actions.
Games are won and lost by the entirety of the play from start to finish, not by a few calls which, in your opinion, were not made properly. With the exception of rule interpretations, all calls made in a game are judgment calls and are extremely subjective. Officials are trained over the course of many years to make proper calls taking into consideration the principle of advantage/disadvantage.
A long time ago, I was told that, as an official, there may be someone in the gym who knows more about the game of basketball than I do (after all, John Wooden might be watching), but there is no one in the gym who knows more about how this game should be called than my partner and myself. There's a big difference.
If a teacher in my district made remarks similar to yours, at the least he would be disciplined, and at the most, suspended.
BTW - this guy just tried to call me!!!! Fortunately, I am allergic to speaking with coaches on the phone.
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Yom HaShoah
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