sensitive issue

[LadyRef]

Big Dave:

Let me begin by saying my response to you was not an attempt to put words in your mouth. I stand corrected in my presumption that you are WHITE or that you are even MALE. I also stand corrected, again, in my assumption that you were not hired in a JuCo tryout. My response was not meant to be inflamatory, however you mentioned your problem was "are the best officials getting hired," when the officials who were picked-up were black males or females. That remark led me to believe you reserved doubt on the quality of the officials hired because of their ethnicity. I can't help but wonder if the officials hired were White if you would have questioned their ability and/or qualifications. I'm trying, as I post, to find out how many minority officials and how many women officials work Division I. Historically, the sports arena has been dominated by White men. If by chance a little color has been added to the flavor, the question then becomes one of quality. When we put on our stipes and our polyester pants, we (officials inclusively) enter that 94 x 50 to do the best we can. Of course, we are not perfect but we officiate objectively and fairly. We hustle, get in position, trust our partners, call the obvious, stay in our primary and referee the defense. Well, that's some of what we're supposed to do.