Frustrated

[runonmt]

As you can likely tell, a long term reader in the forum, almost non-existent poster. Primarily because I don't post unless I have something significant to contribute. I can relate to your being frustrated, and comments of the assignor being disingenuous. The other stuff, not so much. I've been officiating high school bball for 15 years with one varsity assignment. The person most responsible for that is . . . . me.

I started late at 48 and that put me at a big disadvantage. Others may disagree but I'm a realist and age should play a part both in development and assignments. By the time I felt I was actually ready to work a varsity game, I was 52. Way too late for any assignor managing hundreds (maybe even thousands) of varsity contests to start looking at me as someone who should be given the opportunity over those much younger. (I have always been, and still am very physically fit, tall, slim and well groomed - so that's never been an issue). Nor did I have the time or inclination to get close to established officials or play association politics that may have helped influence an assignor. (It sounds like you may have done that at one time so you might rekindle that if possible.)

I've been to the assignors camps, have always received great ratings from state evaluators and an excellent rating and review from one of the assignors own evaluators with a recommendation that I was qualified to work varsity games. Never happened.

Was I disappointed? Yes, very. Do I understand it? Yes, absolutely. You really can't expect an assignor to delay the development of younger officials who are capable and ready to work varsity contests. Or to give leaner schedules to those who have proven varsity experience. It's just a reality in officiating like anything else. It was unfortunate that you had health issues and you may have been a good varsity official. But you did have the long term break, others have moved up and you're not going to get many if any varsity assignments in the future. In fact, like me, your schedules are likely going to get worse, not better.

Bottom line. I got into this because I love the game of basketball. Played high school/college ball, coached my kids, watched my kids in high school and college (why I started officiating late so I didn't miss any of their games - don't regret it). I love that I can still be a part of the game, even if it's only Freshmen, Sophomore and JV games. I look forward to it, enjoy being part of it and have fun with it. I'll do it as long as the body allows. My advice to you is: Be disappointed, and even frustrated if you want because you're not doing varsity games. But recognize that part of your officiating life is likely over. If you don't enjoy the games you are getting, and what comes with them, stop doing them . . . . . just my two cents.