NCAA Permits Patches That Promote Social Justice Causes ...

[JRutledge]

We must note that what is going on in the NBA is totally different than what most of us face. They all work for the same group and they also all are in a league that is totally for social justice attention. Unlike a college or high school official that might work for 10 different people and what you do in one league might hurt you in another. So the NBA officials have a lot of different cover. The same would be if the NFL does the same thing. I think it is harder to do as an "independent contractor" when it might not be approved in one place and just fine in another place. It can be discussed but I might have different concerns. I work for different people, I am not confident that all of them would be OK with this and I do not need to kneel to show my position on social justice issues. I am going to watch that session on the NASO page, but have not had the time to sit down and see it all. But I want to watch it for sure.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

We must note that what is going on in the NBA is totally different than what most of us face. They all work for the same group and they also all are in a league that is totally for social justice attention ... So the NBA officials have a lot of different cover ... I think it is harder to do as an "independent contractor" when it might not be approved in one place and just fine in another place ...

I only work for one assigner, who works very closely with the executive committee of my local board. I hope that we get some preseason advice regarding officials in crews who want to stand, kneel, or stay in the locker room, and to remind us that's it's none of our business (as game officials) if teams (or individual players) stand, kneel, or stay in the locker room (there have been a few problems in a few states where officials indicated that they would walk out if the flag was disrespected).

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I only work for one assigner, who works very closely with the executive committee of my local board. I hope that we get some preseason advice regarding officials in crews who want to stand, kneel, or stay in the locker room, and to remind us that's it's none of our business (as game officials) if teams (or individual players) stand, kneel, or stay in the locker room (there have been a few problems in a few states where officials indicated that they would walk out if the flag was disrespected).

I remember when Kaepernick kneeled and the country got caught up in that so much there were others doing the same things. And I remember discussing it in a few meetings "What are we going to do...." as if the sky was going to fall. Well, basically not much happened. I remember some people trying to penalize players for kneeling during the Anthem and the state saying to players, "Not our responsibility" for the most part and let the schools handle their school's protests. It went away. Honestly, I think we will have so many other issues at play this fall or winter that this will be the main issue. Yes there might be an officiating crew or two across the country that will do something. Maybe more, but I think a lot of officials will think that is not their role and either way I am OK with it. I think we are kind of overblow this being a challenge. Or at least for me, I do not need to discuss anything with my partners. If I do anything it will be personal, I am not looking for everyone's approval on a personal show of protest.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I think we will have so many other issues at play this fall or winter that this will be the main issue. Yes there might be an officiating crew or two across the country that will do something. Maybe more, but I think a lot of officials will think that is not their role and either way ... I think we are kind of overblow this being a challenge.

The National Association of Sports Officials thought it was important enough to add to the agenda for their 2020 Virtual Summit, there must be, at least, a little something to this.

Social justice issues are "big" on the professional level of sports (look at what happened yesterday), and although it will probably get diluted, a little will probably filter down through the college, and maybe even to the high school level, possibly involving officials.

Officials starting getting "political" back in the early 2000's by adding flags to uniforms, who's to say they won't get political again?

I haven't seen widespread social justice protests like these going on now since the 1960's Civil Rights movement.

[JRutledge]

I am not saying they do not need to discuss social justice issues. I think that the kneeling or not kneeling or protest vs. no protest is overplayed. We might not have games to play this year at all for many of us. I am not having a pre-game conference about this issue because as a Black person, I know I am on an island with many of my partners. I am not personally going to be used to stand out by myself in a thing that is not my actual job or that is an extra activity. I can voice those things, but it will not be on the court or field unless I have some support. Just my personal choice at this time. The NBA officials had the backing of the league from multiple levels. I could see the IHSA for example having a position, but then you get another fight with a school district or a conference. I do not feel like having this fight in this arena because I feel there are other areas to take action to get the social justice I would like to see as I have done for years already. I was raised in this, not just focusing on something that took place in the last few months or even decades.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

not just focusing on something that took place in the last few months or even decades.

400 years.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

400 years.

Just my lifetime.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I am going to watch that session on the NASO page, but have not had the time to sit down and see it all. But I want to watch it for sure.

Interesting discussion regarding how officials should look more like the players, and how to recruit and mentor diverse officials so that this happens.

Some interesting statements like how assigning sixty-five year old white males to officiate basketball games on Native American reservations in New Mexico doesn't help to recruit Native American basketball officials.

Another state (I believe Washington) got female NCAA soccer officials, who also officiate high school soccer games, to give up their weekend college games so that they could officiate all the final games in all levels of the girls high school soccer tournament so that the girls could envision a future in soccer officiating.