NCAA Men's Tournament Officials (2023)

[Rich]

Of the 36 on the floor, 29 worked last season. Of those 7 not working, at least 5 are injured or retired. It seems almost impossible to break through to that level.

Likely the same with the Final Four. Breeding and Boroski are gone, so at least 2 new people will work, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see 6-7 returners from last year.

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by Rich

Of the 36 on the floor, 29 worked last season. Of those 7 not working, at least 5 are injured or retired. It seems almost impossible to break through to that level.

Likely the same with the Final Four. Breeding and Boroski are gone, so at least 2 new people will work, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see 6-7 returners from last year.

Excellent info and something to think about for those on this forum who are assignors at the HS level. How much do you go with your best versus giving someone else an opportunity?

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

How much do you go with your best versus giving someone else an opportunity?

My local high school board made a big change a few years ago. Previous to the change, our local members were allowed to officiate in both the boys and girls state tournament (if selected by both gender coaches). The change forced local members (if selected by both gender coaches) to pick only one gender for the tournament.

Lots of yelling and screaming at local meetings, but I believe that it worked out for the best, offering more post season opportunities for some of our younger, but still very skilled, officials.

The state made a major tournament change this past year. Instead of tournament officials being selected by coaches votes (as its been for over forty years), tournament officials would be selected by local boards. My local board utilized our assignment commissioner, our assistant assignment commissioner, and the co-chairs of our evaluation committee to make such selections.

I recently observed twenty-two different local officials in eleven state tournament games. Everyone "belonged" there.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

Excellent info and something to think about for those on this forum who are assignors at the HS level. How much do you go with your best versus giving someone else an opportunity?

Well, they claim the best get the opportunity each year, not based on what opportunity you deserve or how many Regional Finals you worked and then you get to the Final Four. Is that what really happens? Not sure, but that is what they tell folks.

Peace

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

Excellent info and something to think about for those on this forum who are assignors at the HS level. How much do you go with your best versus giving someone else an opportunity?

At the high school level, I think giving these opportunities is a key part of recruitment and retention. Our state tournaments have 45 slots on the boys side and 45 on the girls side (everyone works one game). A rough counting is that about 10 officials on each side were new this year, paired with 2 that have had the experience before. I was honored with a boys assignment this year and had two first time partners who did a great job. Personally, I think we need to continue to give these chances or we will continue to lose talented people.

At the college level I'm guessing that's not an issue, but evaluating officials is so subjective in practice that there's no way they couldn't mix things up and bring in a new group each year. I find it "safe" and lazy to not do so, to be honest.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Rich

At the college level I'm guessing that's not an issue, but evaluating officials is so subjective in practice that there's no way they couldn't mix things up and bring in a new group each year. I find it "safe" and lazy to not do so, to be honest.

There is money, legacy, reputation, and standards on the line at the college level. Just look at the Final Four this year, some brand-new teams. You do not want to have a bunch of people who have no experience or cannot handle the stage or have not been on that stage working the big games. And unlike high school, have every call and situation scrutinized more than it is now. We can debate over who is the best and who should be in a place. But if these guys are the top guys in the biggest conferences every year, I see why they get opportunities multiple times.

Peace