Quote:
Originally Posted by BoomerSooner
To the OP, there a few other things you might consider as well:
3. Lastly, there is simply the issue of maybe other guys have improved to the point of surpassing your skill level. This doesn't mean you are suddenly a bad official. From a statistics perspective, if you take a group people with IQs ranging from 115 to 145, the people with IQs between 115-130 will be the dummies of the group. Mix this group back into the general population where the 115-130 range is a standard deviation from the normal range, and these people are once again on the top end of the scale. If your assignor identified 15 guys that improved their ratings from the previous year, it is possible they've earned the opportunity to get those games. It doesn't mean you aren't still a good official or that you are being held back by your age, weight or speed.
I'll leave you with this last thought...the only way you'll ever get an honest understanding of what is going on is by talking with your assignor. The key to that conversation though is to go into it with pure intentions. If you go into it with the belief that you are being discriminated against because of size, weight or age, that bias will shape the conversation. Ask your assignor if you can schedule some time to talk (face to face is best), let him know what you perceive and how you feel (don't blame, just explain) and then give your assignor an opportunity to respond. Listen with an open mind and be prepared to acknowledge and accept that he may see the situation differently because each of you have different perspectives on the matter because you are invested differently. After hearing him out, you can explain the change you'd like to see (e.g. you being assigned to higher level games or better communication on why you're getting assigned certain games) and then ask him what you can do to help make that happen.
|
I appears as some may have misunderstood or I did a really poor job in expressing my frustration...probably the later.
I have no thoughts that I am a great official. I am not the best in the chapter but I am certainly not the worse. When I spoke with the assignor I made it very clear I took responsibility for the games on my schedule but he just would not mention things he thought I needed to improve, even after I asked three times. The only things he said were (1) Look around, lots of young slender guys (2) I looked better with the weight loss and looked like I feel better (3) He had no issues with my mechanics or rules knowledge and (4) I was one of the people he wanted to see work. At this point I cannot change his perception of me for this season...just the way it is.
I never said any game was beneath me. In the last year I have worked games for 1st grade boys and girls up to HS varsity level in select tournaments. In every one I do the best I can in that game. Like everyone, some are better than others. I will go work a freshmen girls game between two schools that...well suck...but don't tell me all the games are the same...especially when there are twice as many people on the court as there are in the stands (parents and students).
Since I did not work with any newer officials last year I seriously doubt that is the "motive" behind my schedule and without a doubt others have passed my skill level...just like officials above my skill level retired or moved to strictly college.
Lastly, I know every game at every level deserves a crew of good officials who are working hard. In my opinion, officials typically work the lower level games to improve so they can get a better schedule. When that is no longer happening...well, decisions need to be made.
I will work every game I am given and do my best. When the season is over I will evaluate the schedule and compare it to last year. If things are the same then I just need to decide if I enjoy it enough to do those games the rest of my officiating life. If the answer is yes I renew my membership, if the answer is no I burn the clothes and find something else to do with my time.
One thing I will no longer do is "raise my hand" when there is an urgent need to fill a spot. I have done that in many, many times in the past to help out and (honestly) just in case my name appears on a list of possible officials of basically the same skill for a game and he sees it and thinks "He jumped to my aid several times, I'll give it to him". Either that never happens or I am a schmuck.