Three Cheers for One of Our Own!

[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

[johnny d]

Many of the people working downstate are fat, old, and out of shape. They should have worked downstate 5-7 years before they actually make it there, when they actually were good officials. By the time they are done with their 3rd trip, they need to be put out to pasture anyway. JRut is one of the few that doesn't fall into this category.

[johnny d]

Also, because most of the best teams, especially in the two larger divisions are from Chicago or the Chicago suburbs, the downstate games, are not necessarily the pinnacle of the season. Often, the two best teams will have faced off earlier in the playoffs. The IHSA likes to have geographically diverse final four, rather than the 4 best teams in each division.

[SD Referee]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

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

I understand both sides of capping guys. I'm not sure I could continue to work as many games knowing that you have no chance of being rewarded with the big games at the end of the season.

I think all of us put up with some really bad basketball at times during the season. You hope for post season rewards to make the season worth it.

[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.

[SD Referee]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

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

I understand, but you earn your opportunity by your performance during the season.

I wouldn't want to earn an opportunity because other guys are capped.

I know there are only so many slots available at the end of the season, but I would hope that any selection committee, or assignor, or whatever would be smart enough to spread out post season selections to worthy officials. Not just give it to guys because other guys are capped. Even without caps, you don't have to give it to the same guys every year. There are other qualified officials that deserve opportunities. I just don't believe in a cap.