It's not the definition of insanity...
 

…but it is close.

Over the last three weeks, since my last game, I have been reflecting and evaluating my personal situation. For the most part, I enjoy the time I am actually on the court…but until this season the first 4 words of that statement weren’t there.

I can look myself in the mirror and honestly say that when this last season started I was ready. I had gotten myself into decent shape (read that to say, above average for the guys my age in the association) and felt the camps I attended had prepared me for the season. The things I “got dinged” for in the first camp were things that I was told I “did well” in the fourth camp. In fact, in every review from the evaluators during that last camp most of the negatives they mentioned were accompanied with the comment “This isn’t a big thing, but…”. When I spoke with the assignor, the only negative he mentioned was my age…can’t do anything about that. So I went into the season hopeful.

The early schedule was pretty good…majority varsity at smaller school programs that historically had done well. Some lopsided games but you can expect some of that in non-district. I was driving a lot of miles but encouraged. Then district play hit…and the schedule took a marked downturn. Overwhelming majority was fairly bad basketball, not very competitive games and mostly sub-varsity. Looking back of the entire season and I noticed that overall I spent a lot of time driving to games that weren’t very good and, as a whole, working with partners who were either fairly new and were just doing it for the money.

The introspective has made me come to the conclusion that one of these statement are true:

1) I actually suck (or close to it) as an official.

2) The person who assigns games has slotted me as, what almost can be called, a filler official and there is nothing I can do to convince him to give me a “better schedule”.

Given that…it would be stupid to bust my hump during the off-season just so I can see my schedule take another hit next season and come to the end of it more frustrated than I am now. I may be a lot of things…but stupid isn’t one of them. I also tell people that when you stop enjoying what you are doing it is time to stop doing what you are doing.

Good luck to everyone. I hope you exceed the goals you have set for yourself. It is time for me to find something else to fill my “leisure” time.

If you aren't pleased with the assignments you are receiving and are ready to quit, then you have nothing to lose by actually asking your assignor about your schedule. Let him know that you desire to work more competitive contests and ask him directly what he thinks of you as an official. Inquire what it would take for you to get the schedule that you desire. If you don't like the answers that you get, then walk away and find something else to do.

On the other hand, what if direct conversation addresses the situation to your liking? I'd say it's worth a shot.

This.

Your conclusions are probably both wrong.

This is what I was going to say. You have nothing to lose at this point by having an open conversation with your assigner.

Agree with what the others have posted. You don't have this conversation with the tone "I deserve a better schedule" you go with in the conversation "What do I need to do to reach (my goal)"

I had that conversation a few years ago with my old assignor and I prefaced it by saying before he even responded I'm not asking for a better schedule just what do I need to take the next step up. His response was basically I call a good game, in the right position, know the rules, but that I run funny (well 3 microfractures will do that to you). However, he also stated I don't get beat down the court though. He stated he would look to move me up the next season. Next season I had a steady but noticeable increase in my schedule. I wasn't asking for a consistent schedule of tournament like games, but I did see an increase in the type of games I was getting.

Maybe by calling him he'll realize that as an official you are striving to be better than what you're slotted at and are making strides to get there (camps, feedback etc...). He may recognize this and move you up. Of course as the assignor he may already have formed his opinion and you may not like what his response is. In that case there isn't much you can do, but continue to work hard and hopefully it will pay off in the future.

It's threads like this that make me thankful that every league here has its own assigner. I didn't work in one area league until that assigner retired -- he didn't like me for whatever reason -- but that didn't matter cause I was working in 9-10 others.

I'm trying to imagine what it would be like to have one assigner and then to be on that assigner's sh!t list....not a fun thought.

It's possible he may not be aware of all the work you have done. I agree calling him to have a talk would help. Good luck.

My son (a former official) called me last night asking about a play. I came here to see if the video was posted...it was and I could answer his question so thanks.

I read the replies on this and decide to do as suggested. Called right away and left voicemail...did the same mid-morning today and have not received a call. I also just sent an email to him as sometimes he is quick to return them rather than call...understandable as he is in car sales and returning emails are generally easier so you don't risk getting stuck on a phone call.

We'll see...

I received a response to the email...such as it is.

First, I started the email by saying I understood that he would always select officials for games based on their exhibited ability and if I desired a better schedule I needed to improve my ability/performance. Then I politely reminded him we had this discussion at our camp last summer and he said two things then: commented on my age as a factor and that I was one of the officials he wanted to watch that weekend. I pointed out that my evaluators (and he has copies of their forms) had mostly positive things to say about my work and mentioned noticeable improvement. Then I asked if he, or someone on his evaluation committee, had seen something different and what their assessment said needed improvements.

His response was very short (in it's entirety): "[My name] I need you! This was [name of his assistant]s first year. Let me get him lined out and then I will just put you in varsity assignments. LET ME GET IT WORKED OUT!"

I continue to be frustrated by him not answering, what I think, is a fair question because he sees something that keeps me from getting even decent games...I just cannot get him to tell me. I really want to respond and tell him the evidence I have tells me he doesn't need me...but what do they say, discretion is the better part of valor.

I still have a few weeks to decide and still get the discount for early renewal. Apparently it does no good to look at an email and yell "Just answer the [bleeping] question!"

Of course...if he is on here I just yelled that at him :eek: :D

This is why this conversation would have been better over the phone at least, and best of all, over lunch or something. He managed to completely dodge the real question.

If I was you, I'd probably reply to his email and thank him for his response, but let him know you really want to discuss this further and invite him to lunch or something.

OR if you are on the fence of quitting his response would indicate a give it one more year. If it doesn't get better then oh well. How hard do you really want to pursue someone for a conversation if it appears that they don't want to talk?

I would take him at his word this one time and then if it turns out to be hot air and you are willing to walk away then do so after next year.

It sounds to me like he agreed that you were underutilized and is planning to see that it is taken care of.

deecee and Camron both have +1 observations.

Sounds like you were "heard" and you got a pretty strong indication he wants you around. The next trick is to collar him at the next opportunity to get further refinement of his statements (whether by grabbing a bite to eat/drink or just when you see him next at a clinic or court you know he frequents).

You are itching (and deserve) to get a voice-to-voice with him. Take another step to make it happen, keeping in mind that a) he does seem to have heard you and given positive feedback and b) you don't want to blow any progress made. (From his comments you could be in for a big boost next season ... you just don't know yet.)

But no more email. Eliminate a chance for him to dodge you, and for any misinterpretations. (Gotta love body language -- don't go without it.)

No time for paranoia, or sitting back on your haunches. Find the balance of aggressiveness that works for you, and him.

I read his answer more positively than you, I think. But the devil is in the rest, eh?

I read it as the assigner has said that he's heard enough (well, maybe not that strict).

iirc (I didn't go back to check) there was a already an email, followed by an email and then a voice mail the next day. That's too much contact, in my book.

That's how I read it also. I would be more concerned about the results than the how comes.

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk

Sat down last night and mentally laid out the pros and cons...and pondered everything that has happened and the conversations over the last year. I even called two people I have known for years and who have been sounding boards/mentors in the past (one is on the evaluation committee). I got solid feedback from them and was given a few things to work on (I had already identified all but one based on watching some "tape" of a few games from last season). They also both expressed concern that I am not the only person feeling this way and that the association is at risk of losing many officials because of the overall inability/unwillingness to communicate clearly

I came to the decision (unless something changes in the next couple of weeks) that I will give it one more year...in a way. However, I am finished attempting to discuss this particular issue. I have made my desire and my efforts to improve as an official known. The cost of attending a couple of camps and renewing with the association is not large. If the scheduling next season starts down the path of the last two, I can always make myself unavailable in The Arbiter and any time.

The thing that started bothering me last night was that I was turning into my wife about this...made me want to slap myself and yell "Make a decision."

He said he would fix it. Now you need to leave him alone. See what happens when the season comes. If you're not getting type of games you want then go see him. Don't email.

Perhaps there are other personal motivations that you can find, to allow you to enjoy officiating, rather than only the goal of being highly ranked, and receiving assignments on bigger, more prestigious games.

In recent seasons, I have shifted my personal motivation even more to mentoring, and training, less experienced officials. Our assignors, at my request, have been very willing to give me a mix of higher profile games, and games with newer officials, so that I can mentor them, and work directly with them. It has been very rewarding, to me, and very helpful to those newer officials. And, it has given our assignors better information regarding the progress of our newer officials.

With time available, before your next season begins, be even more diligent in your preparation. Be in the best condition of your career. Study your mechanics, your presentation, and all aspects of your game. If at all possible, see yourself on video, and find a trusted friend who can view and critique your performance. Be super ready and able to continue to officiate. By doing so, the choice will be yours, rather than having it forced upon you.
Best wishes.

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.

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.