Total of nine years...with a forced medical break of five years between years seven and eight.

I started late in life as well.

Is your screen name because you have a pace maker?

Away from the gym, I've never had a bad experience with a fan/coach/player who has recognized me from officiating. When at a venue I try to avoid all interaction.

There is one current coach (he doesn't coach in any conference I work) whom I give a "bro"-hug and handshake to any time I see him b/c he has always been a good person to me, even when I was working his games as a new varsity official.

Yep...I'm not clever enough to come up with anything overly creative.

BTW...I know of at least two others in our association with pacemakers.

It's really interesting when I work with an older guy because I'm only 22. So when I work with a guy in his sixties, we make pretty interesting book ends.

Junior is only 26 but looks like the Hunchback of Notre Dame (but he expects to get drafted in the 1st Round by the Cleveland Browns, :p) from carrying me all of these years.

MTD, Sr.

In high school:
A thorough knowledge of the rules along with all my efforts in good mechanics; are critical if I truly care about the game and the young people that play the game.
Mechanics may get me to the next level tomorrow, but the rules are all that matter for the game I'm doing today...

Wait....isn't the first delay of game a warning?? :D

He can't be much worse than most of their first round picks of late.

2nd year official in Chicago area
 

I learned that getting boo'd by the fans isn't the best feeling. But I just call my game regardless.

I also learned that I get very comfortable after my first whistle. Its like a wakeup feeling in the morning after you sip your coffee. Then its game on.

I learned that I also need to hear coaches but choose better words to use and be more stern. Lots of times there loudness don't bother me but then they tend to ride me loudly for too long.

You'll get over getting boo'd. Eventually fans/coaches acting like clowns is just entertainment. Once a year, maybe, fans will get to me. Even then it's more me missing a call then the fans/coach throwing a fit.

At least for me...I have realized that when I am hearing the fans I am going through a stretch where I am not on top of my game. It may be I am disgusted with myself for kicking something in a tight game, not feeling 100%, getting hissed off because my partner is calling everything on the floor, etc. But realizing I am hearing the crowd is a little like a 2 x 4 up side the head...gets me to focus more.

Sometimes it is the best feeling, like when you know you're 100 percent right and they're still booing. :D

+1,000,000

This.