It's not the definition of insanity...

[Rich]

I think the lack of honesty from assigners is the real problem. They want you to hang on and work the scraps but won't be honest as to why you're not getting the games you want.

I only assign varsity games and I've had a conversation with a couple of officials about why I won't use them. Not all went well. But I think officials deserve some honesty and transparency.

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Originally Posted by Rich

I think the lack of honesty from assigners is the real problem. They want you to hang on and work the scraps but won't be honest as to why you're not getting the games you want.

I only assign varsity games and I've had a conversation with a couple of officials about why I won't use them. Not all went well. But I think officials deserve some honesty and transparency.

This!

I have never kidded myself in thinking I should be working the top games or even have my schedule full of match-ups that most people would look at and think were above average. I understand those games are going to go the best officials...and younger officials on the way up are going to be put in them before me, if for no other reason than to see if they are ready. But I also don't want all the games nobody else will take.

Heck, I am a big boy...if I need to be told that this last schedule is the best I can hope for at this stage in life, fine...tell me and I can move forward.

For years I told myself "This is the most important game of the night for everyone involved." But face it...that isn't always true. I had more than one game last season where it was obvious by the middle of the 2nd that one team simply did not care. I still gave my best effort because you never know who is watching but I could not help but think afterward "If they didn't want to be there, why should I want to be there?"

Maybe I am turning into a "Grumpy Old Official" (will turn 59 this summer) but just because every game at every level, regardless of the ability of the participants, deserves competent officials doesn't mean I have to be one of those officials.

Anyway...time to start listening to the "gurus" on TV and radio so I can fill out my bracket.

[Smitty]

There are 3 associations that serve the Dallas/Fort worth metro area, and I know that all of them are in desperate need of more officials. I had the good fortune of traveling 3.5 hours one way to a playoff game where my partner is the president of our association and I learned a lot about the behind-the-scenes activities. One of the topics was the glaring need for more officials in all of the associations. Often in the off-season, school districts will attempt to switch associations, but there is basically a "freeze" in place, agreed upon by the leadership of the 3 associations that they will all keep what they have, aside from the fallout from a recent restructuring of certain districts where an association will have to absorb a school or two, but that should all even itself out. The driver of that decision is because none of the associations has enough officials to take on any more schools. Adding to the problem are several new high schools and middle schools that will be opening next season that will be serviced by my association. The good news is that we are getting a raise in pay at all levels next season, so that should help with the acquisition of new officials and the retention of others who might otherwise quit or retire. All this to say, depending on your limitations to travel to games, there are other associations you could join who would likely greet you with open arms. That's not to say you'd get better games (you probably wouldn't), but at least you might find a better fit, given your frustrations. It's an option is all I'm saying.