NCAA Men's Tournament Officials (2023)

[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