Three Cheers for One of Our Own!

[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.