Three Cheers for One of Our Own!

[#olderthanilook]

Do not give a damn!!

[RefsNCoaches]

Congrats Rut!

[JRutledge]

I figured Mark was up to something when he asked me what association gave me this honor.

It was a total shock and did not realize that was going to happen.

Well, I might as well say something else that was shocked about. I have been assigned to work my 3rd IHSA State Final in 3A-4A Boys (6 overall) the weekend of March 15 and 16. Looking forward to this for sure. Been a great week so far. Just trying to get through the morning with all the calls and text.

Peace

[billyu2]

Like continuous motion, good basket and ONE on top of it! Congrats JRut!

[UNIgiantslayers]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I figured Mark was up to something when he asked me what association gave me this honor.

It was a total shock and did not realize that was going to happen.

Well, I might as well say something else that was shocked about. I have been assigned to work my 3rd IHSA State Final in 3A-4A Boys (6 overall) the weekend of March 15 and 16. Looking forward to this for sure. Been a great week so far. Just trying to get through the morning with all the calls and text.

Peace

Congrats. I had heard that Illinois caps you at 3 state tourney appearances. Is that not accurate?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by UNIgiantslayers

Congrats. I had heard that Illinois caps you at 3 state tourney appearances. Is that not accurate?

Kind of sorta. They usually do not allow you to work more than 3 in most sports. Sports like football they do not care if you work multiple ones, as they usually do not penalize a crew because the other guys have never worked a State Final. But in basketball where we have the most numbers of any sport, you likely will only work 3 total. Not a hard fast rule, but usually ends when you are assigned your 3rd trip. This is likely the end for me. Some people think I could go back, but who knows.

BTW, the 6 total is in all my sports. I am only the 10th I believe in state history to work the State Finals in Boys Basketball, Football, and Baseball in the history of the IHSA. I am the 4th person in the Chicagoland area to do that as well. One of the guys that did this worked the Super Bowl as a Replay guy (worked in the Big Ten for years) and another guy is in the National Federation Hall of Fame (this past year was honored). Three of the people to do this belonged to the same organization at one time, the oldest Official's Association in the country, the Athletic Officials Association. I am just honored to have done something not many have one. And I am the only African-American to do all those things too. Just trying to follow in the footsteps of my mom, who just got honored herself for an award in her country along with many other awards named after her or she has been honored recently. I have big shoes to fill.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I am the only African-American to do all those things too. Just trying to follow in the footsteps of my mom, who just got honored herself for an award in her country along with many other awards named after her or she has been honored recently. I have big shoes to fill.

She must be very proud.

When I started officiating basketball thirty-eight years ago we had only a half dozen African-American officials (one who was our president) and no female officials on my local board.

At our next local meeting we will have our first female president (who also happens to be African-American) and our first female interpreter (who also happens to be African-American).

My daughter, who is now 34 years old, played a lot of high level basketball over many years and never once had a female official working any of her games.

Variety is the spice of life.

[SD Referee]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Kind of sorta. They usually do not allow you to work more than 3 in most sports. Sports like football they do not care if you work multiple ones, as they usually do not penalize a crew because the other guys have never worked a State Final. But in basketball where we have the most numbers of any sport, you likely will only work 3 total. Not a hard fast rule, but usually ends when you are assigned your 3rd trip. This is likely the end for me. Some people think I could go back, but who knows.

BTW, the 6 total is in all my sports. I am only the 10th I believe in state history to work the State Finals in Boys Basketball, Football, and Baseball in the history of the IHSA. I am the 4th person in the Chicagoland area to do that as well. One of the guys that did this worked the Super Bowl as a Replay guy (worked in the Big Ten for years) and another guy is in the National Federation Hall of Fame (this past year was honored). Three of the people to do this belonged to the same organization at one time, the oldest Official's Association in the country, the Athletic Officials Association. I am just honored to have done something not many have one. And I am the only African-American to do all those things too. Just trying to follow in the footsteps of my mom, who just got honored herself for an award in her country along with many other awards named after her or she has been honored recently. I have big shoes to fill.

Peace

Interesting.

If you are potentially capped at 3 finals appearances, does the desire to go out and work diminish knowing that you cannot work the pinnacle game of the season?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by SD Referee

Interesting.

If you are potentially capped at 3 finals appearances, does the desire to go out and work diminish knowing that you cannot work the pinnacle game of the season?

It does for some. I am not in love with it, but I also understand. It gives different officials a chance to work it. Many are deserving. But I get that we also lose some good people at a certain point of their career as a result.

Peace

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by SD Referee

Interesting.

If you are potentially capped at 3 finals appearances, does the desire to go out and work diminish knowing that you cannot work the pinnacle game of the season?

Perhaps, but on the flip side, capping it at 3 would make others stick around since they know they may have an opportunity.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I have been assigned to work my 3rd IHSA State Final in 3A-4A Boys (6 overall) the weekend of March 15 and 16.

JRutledge would never tell us this himself, but for the new guys on the Forum, JRutledge has worked state finals in (at least) one other sport.

Maybe that's why, in an "and one" situation, he will often say, "First down" instead of, "One shot".

[Kansas Ref]

Congratulations JRutledge! This is awesome, looking fwd to your continued commentary and challenging posts on the forum---maybe there'll be some case plays from your state games to share with us.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

JRutledge would never tell us this himself, but for the new guys on the Forum, JRutledge has worked state finals in (at least) one other sport.

Maybe that's why, in an "and one" situation, he will often say, "First down" instead of, "One shot".

For clarification, I have worked 2 football state finals, one baseball state final and this will be my 3rd Basketball State Final.

I would only mention that because it is rare and got a lot of help and have been blessed to that it took place. I would rather say that I was fortunate to have a few people help me along that way. I do not take that for granted at all.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

... JRutledge has worked state finals in (at least) one other sport. Maybe that's why, in an "and one" situation, he will often say, "First down" instead of, "One shot".

Or why, in another situation, he may say, "Ground rule double" instead of, "Two shots".

[bucky]

Many go out of their way to NOT work the state tournament. The pay is much lower than regular season games, travel distances are greater, more time is involved, and the prestige is non-existent for them. I have known many that were asked out of necessity and they turned them down/back.