Recruitment and Retention of Officials

[Multiple Sports]

Originally Posted by crosscountry55

Maybe not so much an assist for getting officials in the door, but once they're feet are wet we need to retain them with:

A) More evaluation and assignment transparency. How does the assigner rank officials? How are assignments allocated and why? The perception of secrecy drives a lot of guys away, especially those who aren't super talented but are nonetheless a vital part of the organization for sub-varsity basketball.

B) The elimination of any mandatory waiting periods before guys can move up to varsity. If they can work, let 'em work when they are ready, not when some arbitrary minimum number of years has passed.

C) Camp opportunities. Scholarships, grants, etc. Many camps aren't the macho blood baths they used to be, meaning officials looking to improve will find a welcoming and inspiring experience that convinces them to keep doing it for years. Getting hooked on officiating as a lifetime avocation probably happens within the first three years for most officials, so that's the period that it's most important to get them to camps and clinics that energize them.

D) Better pay. Seems obvious, but we hear the horror stories from AL, LA, etc. That's not helping.


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CC -

Regarding your first point....You are absolutely right but those type of officials quite frankly are the ones that are here for a part time job and don't put any effort into this craft. I have seen it with a lot of the local boards in my area...they feel entitled to games and don't go to a camp or any clinics outside the mandatory state and local meetings...but they are the first group of guys to complain about their type of assignment.....

Georgia Tech played Wofford last night and isn't competing in the Big 10 / ACC Challenge....do you think those guys complained because they didn't get an assignment for the UNC / MD game.

Most assignors know more than those "whiners"....let their type leave.