Women Refs in the NBA

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by SC Official

Men’s college officials certainly have no room to complain about women getting opportunities at other levels/genders.

People that don’t realize officiating is not a pure meritocracy have been living in the weeds.

This is not a Men's college issue with what women work Men's college basketball. There are other issue with Men's college basketball and it is not the amount of women getting those opportunities.

Peace

[SC Official]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

This is not a Men's college issue with what women work Men's college basketball. There are other issue with Men's college basketball and it is not the amount of women getting those opportunities.

Peace

In case you didn't realize, I was actually agreeing with you.

And there still are not that many women in men's college basketball. Only two work a significant amount of Division 1. And honestly, why would any woman with talent go the men's route when the money is the same on the women's side and the opportunities are so much more vast?

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by SC Official

... why would any woman with talent go the men's route when the money is the same on the women's side and the opportunities are so much more vast?

Originally Posted by JRutledge

... like the challenge and so do others.

[Player989random]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I've met a woman or two who thought there was a glass ceiling to break, but I've also met a lot more D1 women (and men) who said the main reason not to do men's was "Why work 5 years in D2/D3 when I can make D1 in 2-3?"

Honestly, would you apply to work at a job with an uncertain promotion rate and pays you in $100s while another job with similar skills is giving anyone with a modicum of interest and talent $1000s?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Player989random

I've met a woman or two who thought there was a glass ceiling to break, but I've also met a lot more D1 women (and men) who said the main reason not to do men's was "Why work 5 years in D2/D3 when I can make D1 in 2-3?"

Honestly, would you apply to work at a job with an uncertain promotion rate and pays you in $100s while another job with similar skills is giving anyone with a modicum of interest and talent $1000s?

If you never desired to work the other level, why does someone have to settle. I get no enjoyment out of watching women's basketball. And for the record, there are D1 officials that did not take 5 years to work Men's basketball. It is all about perspective and willingness.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Player989random

...would you apply to work at a job with an uncertain promotion rate and pays you in $100s while another job with similar skills is giving anyone with a modicum of interest and talent $1000s?

For me, probably not. But some people like "pie in the sky" challenges, especially those with well paying day jobs, or those who have a spouse with a well paying day job, so they are free to chase their "side job" dreams without fear of financial hardships.

As has already been well covered in this thread, a lot of components go into one choosing a career, or side job (like officiating), with money and ease of advancement being only one of many components.

As I was about to graduate (B.S.) from college, I was highly recruited by two major oil corporations to work as a petroleum geologist (they were so desperate for geologists that recruiters actually came to our college). Lots of money was offered, but I would have to move from New England to either Alaska, or Louisiana.

Instead I chose to become a science teacher, at a time when there was an overabundance of teachers and an underabundance of teaching jobs (out of literally several dozen resumes mailed out, I only got six interviews (four interviewers didn't actually have any open positions at the time, they just wanted to meet with me because I graduated magna cum laude and they wanted to keep me on their radar in case an opening became available, one wanted me to go to summer school to add chemistry to my certification so that I could teach high school chemistry and coach basketball and baseball), and only two job offers, both less than ideal. And this was at a time when Connecticut teachers were grossly underpaid (I had to work summer and part-time jobs during the first twenty-five years that I taught).

There are too many reasons for me to detail all the reasons why I chose a teaching career instead of a much more lucrative career with an easier path to get a job and advance in the petroleum industry, but I obviously didn't chose teaching because of the money or the guarantee of getting a job.

Since junior high school, I always wanted to be a science teacher (but I admit that I was tempted to become a geologist by the easy money and an easy job waiting for me after graduation).

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by SC Official

In case you didn't realize, I was actually agreeing with you.

And there still are not that many women in men's college basketball. Only two work a significant amount of Division 1. And honestly, why would any woman with talent go the men's route when the money is the same on the women's side and the opportunities are so much more vast?

Didn't say you were disagreeing with me. Just stating that the issue is not specific to one side or the other. I am just addressing that there are many officials that are around that look different than the actual players getting high-level opportunities. I was making a larger point, not just about gender. Sorry for the confusion.

Peace