Another Referee Assault ...

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

This is why I do not do middle school at all. Many times we have less than ideal accommodations.

I figured that there were additional reasons, besides a Dad coming out of the stands (which was also in a recently posted video of a high school varsity game, the "pants" video, the one where you would punch the Dad) and poor locker room accommodations, why you don't work middle school games, and I was right. I figured (but didn't detail) that your "cup was already full" with high school and college games, job, and family, and I was right, especially with your line about relief that a game was cancelled. Been there and done that.

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Even if you wanted to, would you have time to do any middle school games?

Originally Posted by JRutledge

... family and job requirements ... some middle school game where some dad coaches and thinks he can yell and be disrespectful and if I deal with them how I would any other game it becomes a problem ... I am married, have kids and good professional life ... game hoes that need that extra $40 in their life ... Gone enough and would rather be with my children and wife ... it is like AAU or travel ball which is a headache too ... if this situation happen at a high school game, I know that dad would be banned and there would be paperwork and documentation to penalize or hold those accountable. Middle school is the wild wild west of accountability ... when I did a lot of middle school stuff, it was assigned by ADs and coaches I knew very well and they did not allow things to take place that I see on these videos ... accountability is the key. I know with high school and college, everyone has to adhere to a level of accountability.

Again, I can't speak for Indiana or Illinois.

The chances of a Dad coaching in a middle school game here in Connecticut are about the same as a Dad coaching a high school varsity game. Most Connecticut scholastic coaches at all levels are teachers. The few that aren't teachers, at all levels, are certified and under the control of the CIAC. Here in Connecticut, it's very difficult for non-teachers to became coaches (lots of hoops to jump through). Do not confuse a middle school game with a middle school-age game, recreation, travel, or AAU games that are very likely to be coached by Dads (or Moms).

While the percentage of games here in Connecticut worked for the money (as the main incentive) is higher for all subvarsity games than high school varsity games, there are many subvarsity officials, that work for the love of the game, camaraderie, exercise, etc. And some that want to help their assigner fill these hard-to-fill mid afternoon middle school assignments.

100% agree that travel and AAU games (and recreation games) are a big headache, but here in Connecticut the differences between a travel and AAU game with a middle school game are like day and night. Middle school games are like "miniature" high school varsity games (with some exceptions I posted above), with site directors on duty, principals and teachers often standing in the corner, players coming and going on buses, "real" uniforms, players having their coach as a teacher, or at least a teacher in their building, passing grade and attendance requirements for the players, etc.

Here in Connecticut, middle schools are controlled by the CIAC (ejection reports, penalties, etc.). Paperwork, documentation, and accountability are the same as with high schools.

When you did work middle school games (when I did a lot of middle school stuff) it appears that there was some accountability. I wonder what changed in your area? Assigners? Athletic directors? Culture?

Bottom line, while I fully believe you that middle school games in Indiana and Illinois are the wild wild west, I can assure you that this is not the case here in Connecticut.

If you lived here in Connecticut the only reasons that you would have to avoid working middle school games would be your already busy schedule of high school games, college games, job, and family, as long as you don't mind arriving in uniform. And of course as an independent contractor, as my mother used to say, "No reason, because I said so".

You don't need a reason. None of our business. I'm not asking. You offered.

Originally Posted by JRutledge

This is why I do not do middle school at all.