[jTheUmp]

Originally Posted by Thumper68

This is the email that I had to send to my assigner after last night 3 games in the local Catholic league.


"I have two situations to report from our third game of this evening. It was girls. I called a dead ball technical foul on SEAS player #4 for telling me to "do my job". I had no other issues with her prior to or after the technical.

After the game as we were exiting the court, a female fan told us that we lost the game for them. My partner engaged her briefly.

Mistake #1. NEVER talk to spectators.

As we were leaving the school the assistant coach and his daughter accosted us in the common area. He was complaining that his daughter got hit in the face during the game and that we failed to call a foul on it. Neither one of us saw it. He further continued to tell us how bad we were and that we "sucked". My partner started auguring with him and it escalated into a challenge from the assistant coach to settle it in the parking lot.

Mistake #2. Don't engage the coach after the game. GTFO.

My partner and I headed for the door with the coach and his daughter yelling at us. We avoided any physical violence, but the coach was calling us racist. We returned to inside the school and waited for the coach and his daughter to leave.

Oh and the daughter was the player that I called the technical foul on. This is the first time that I have experienced this kind of thing. The fact that it was coming from an assistant coach is appalling to me.

I thought that you would want to know about this incident."

Good work here... get away from the confrontation. Nothing good will happen. At this point, I'd probably be calling the police also.

There were many things wrong with this event on many levels. I am just about as upset with my partner for even engaging these people as I am with the assistant coach. It left no doubt in my mind why I had to issue the technical to his daughter after his fine display of sportsmanship!

Yep, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. And I hope your partner learned his lesson too.

This is the first time that anyone has ever said anything negative after a game, and it has left a very sour taste in my mouth. I am a third year official. On the way home I had serious thoughts about it being my last year.

Unfortunately, it won't be the last time either... unless you decide to give up officiating. But hey, everyone here has been awarded the "worst official in the world" trophy multiple times.

I try to work hard, study rules, and learn from others. We will see how tonight goes. I have three games in the same league (different school at least). I have not ever had any real issues in the league until last night. I don't have thin skin and I don't really care what an assistant coach thinks about my work, but it was a depressing ride home for sure.

Thanks for letting me rant!

Wait and see how your assigner responds. At minimum, there should be some repercussions for the coach (suspension or worse). If nothing is done, I personally would find another league to work and tell your assigner WHY you're not working that league anymore. It sounds like you're doing all the right things, keep at it and you'll have a long and bright future ahead of you.