"Fat" officials

[SMEngmann]

The one thing as a young official that make me laugh is the constant bemoaning of the role that politics plays in getting assignments. Sure, politics may play a role, but it's the easiest out, the equivalent of saying, "I don't play because my coach doesn't like me." People who tend to dwell on politics seem to focus more on things out of their control, rather than things that are in their control, like improving their game (including appearance and conditioning). If you feel like you're being stiffed by an assignor, all you can do is improve to the point where he has no choice but to use you or to a point where you can move on to bigger and better things. One thing I know about assignors is that they can't continually send bad officials to games out of personal loyalty because then the schools and leagues will complain about the officiating and soon the assignor will be out of a job. The assignor has a vested interest in providing good officials and his reputation is on the line.

In terms of the weight thing, I think it's a very big deal. People who aren't in shape have less credibility automatically and cannot possibly call their best possible game because their bodies won't allow them to, just like an overweight athlete is not in his best shape to compete. More and more officials are like athletes and they should get in, and stay in good shape.

[JRutledge]

Originally posted by SMEngmann
The one thing as a young official that make me laugh is the constant bemoaning of the role that politics plays in getting assignments. Sure, politics may play a role, but it's the easiest out, the equivalent of saying, "I don't play because my coach doesn't like me." People who tend to dwell on politics seem to focus more on things out of their control, rather than things that are in their control, like improving their game (including appearance and conditioning). If you feel like you're being stiffed by an assignor, all you can do is improve to the point where he has no choice but to use you or to a point where you can move on to bigger and better things. One thing I know about assignors is that they can't continually send bad officials to games out of personal loyalty because then the schools and leagues will complain about the officiating and soon the assignor will be out of a job. The assignor has a vested interest in providing good officials and his reputation is on the line.

Here is what translation of when someone claim politics means. "I am too lazy to do the things to get ahead, so I will just complain I cannot get ahead." In my area to get ahead, you have to attend camps. Unless you have established yourself as an official that always goes far in the playoffs, you have to attend camps on a regular basis. Our state requires officials to attend a licensed camp with the IHSA every 3 years, or possibly lose your license. Well we have two kind of camps. One is what is called a 4 hour camp. All that is just a classroom camp. No floor work. But it fulfills the requirement from the state and you can keep your license by attending this camp. The other is a 6 hour camp, both classroom and floor work. The 6 hour camps are what assignors use to hire new officials and helps you keep your place in the conference in some cases. Well guys will not attend any camps and will not attend association meetings, but complain all day that it is "politics" that is holding them back. There are many socials in the area that officials can attend that are held by different groups as just a get together. Many officials do not attend those and what do they do, complain it is politics. Many of the guys that attend these things are assignors and other prominatate individuals that would make good sense to just meet. What do many do, stay at home. Even a great way to learn officiating is to watch other veteran officials work their games. One way is if you are doing the Sophomore or JV game before the varsity, then stick around and watch the varsity. What do many guys do, go home and watch nothing. I used to always watch the veterans work. Not only did I want to see what it took to be there, I wanted to see what I could learn and what I needed to do to get better. I am not going to say I am the best official, but I am there for a reason. My partners are there for a reason. Why not watch officials that have accomplished some things to get better? But no, it is the assignor does not like me. Or the "old boy's club" is at work. I might agree that the "fat officials" are not the first choice anymore. But they might have years of experience. They might have more respect than the rookie that is slim as to their ability. It might be expected to what they are going to get from those officials. Rookies, you might not know how many mistakes they will make. And the vets might have done several playoff games and even a state final or two in their career. Yes, they might be on their downward spiral, but they are better for the game they are doing than someone who has not proven themselves yet.

You have to put in some work. It does not just fall in your lap without some work. And it helps if you have the right people pulling for you as well. But you never get to meet those people sitting at home and just working your game and going home. There is a reason lawyers and doctors and business people play golf. It is not just to play a game, it is to make deals and contacts as well.

Peace

[ChuckElias]

Originally posted by Tim Roden
Just remember those guy's have called the best game they can get. If they go to camp and try to get a college schedule, they'll be laughed out of the building. They want guys with an athletic appearance.

I've been lucky enough to go to Mickey Crowley's camp. He's funny and great to talk to. Before I went to his camp, he spoke at my association's annual banquet. In the course of his comments, he patted his midriff and said, "Gentlemen, you are looking at the last of the fat referees!" We laughed, but he was totally serious. Tim is right, athleticism is in demand at higher levels.

[Rich]

This original post cracks me up.

It is too darned easy to look at someone and decide right away that they shouldn't work a game because they are "fat." BTW, I'm just quoting the word fat like the original author.

Why don't you give me some specifics about their officiating that tells me why they aren't able to work that level game? What makes you better than them?

There is so much that goes into making a good basketball official and all you're telling me is that these guys are fat. I've heard some people say that officials are fat when they are simply not as rail thin as they are. These "fat" officials probably wear size 34 pants at most, BTW.

Rich

[CLAY]

Rich,

Did this thread hit your hot button. I stated in the thread why I thought the 3 "fat officials" should not be doing a game of that caliber. The bottom line is they "sucked" and their weight keep them from doing a job that was very important to all who were involved. They failed the kids, coaches, and spectators.

[Smitty]

Originally posted by CLAY
They failed the kids, coaches, and spectators.

That's a little overdramatic, isn't it? Was the game a complete farce because of the refs? When you use a phrase like this it makes it sound like you're more bitter than anything.

[CLAY]

Smitty,


You have kid's and coaches busting their butt's at practice 5-6 times a week. Parents getting kid's back and forth to practice, kids doing homework on the bus to keep grades up so they can play ball. As officials, some lose track of what it takes to play sports. With all the people, time and energy involved in putting a team on a playing field the participants derserve better than the three "fat officials"
I seen doing a varsity level game and not giving to the kids, parents,coaches what they had invested in getting to that championship game. I blame the assignor and the officials for not knowing when it is time to hang it up.

[zebraman]

Originally posted by Smitty

That's a little overdramatic, isn't it? Was the game a complete farce because of the refs? When you use a phrase like this it makes it sound like you're more bitter than anything.

Clay bitter? Let's see... earlier this week he posted how he told his assignor to "shove a game up his ***" because the assignor wanted him to fill in on a varsity game that he hadn't originally been assigned. Now he criticizes all three refs in a game he watches (and obviously thinks that he should have been reffing) because they all sucked. Bitter might not be a strong enough word. "The world owes me a living....."

Z

[CLAY]

Zebraman,

Am I bitter, no I just get tired of hearing you guys in hear talk about what you have to do to get ahead. And then I go to some games to get first hand knowledge and learn from the officials on the floor. I get to the game and see 3 "fat Officials" that had no business doing a game at that level.

I am not bitter, but Iam tired of listening to alot of you talk out of both sides of you mouth.

[Smitty]

I don't really know you CLAY other than from what you've posted here so I can only speculate what your agenda is. From the sound of your original post, although these guys are "fat", because you also describe them as huffing and puffing, I assume they did run up and down the court and make a few calls and keep the game under control. Whether they "sucked" because of their appearance or their judgement in making their calls, that's a subjective opinion and you are certainly entitled to yours. However, as much as an official's outward appearance is a key factor in judging their abilities, there are so many more factors to consider. Just as key are an official's attitude, demeanor, experience and how they react to adverse and unusual situations. None of us knows how these factors applied to the officials you describe. I'm speculating that these guys have a significant amount of experience dealing with all kinds of situations beyond the basic rules, and perhaps that's why they got the championship game - mainly for their abilities in areas that are not so easily noticed on the outside.

[zebraman]

Originally posted by CLAY
Zebraman,

Am I bitter, no I just get tired of hearing you guys in hear talk about what you have to do to get ahead. And then I go to some games to get first hand knowledge and learn from the officials on the floor. I get to the game and see 3 "fat Officials" that had no business doing a game at that level.

I am not bitter, but Iam tired of listening to alot of you talk out of both sides of you mouth.

Maybe you are only listening to the "side of the mouth" that you want to hear. I agree that being in shape is important. My first impression of an overweight partner is not a good one. However, there are many, many other things that are important like game management, call selection, coach/referee interaction, mechanics, positioning, communication... etc. Do I need to go on? I had a game with a partner Wednesday night who was a little bit overweight. However, he was a great partner who covered the floor well and we had a great game. His strengths made him able to overcome the challenge of carrying an extra bag of groceries up and down the court with him.

At some point in the past, these three officials that you observed have impressed your assignor with their ability to officiate a game. You are only looking at one piece of the puzzle. If they are as out-of-shape as you say they are, that is a big strike against them. Apparently, their strengths outweigh their "fatness" (at least in the opinion of your assignor).

Did it ever strike you that maybe you have a weakness in your officiating game that is as glaring as the fatness on these three? Assignors are trying to please everyone... most importantly the people who hire and fire them (A.D.'s or a board of directors perhaps). They do that by assigning the officials that they think can do the best job.

Z

[CLAY]

I come in here to tell what I seen at a basketball game. What I saw contadicts everything I have read and what I have learned, and I have learned alot in this forum. And yet I made a statement and you think Iam bitter.

After this post, I have learned you want to stroke the large ego's in this forum.

If we are unable to critize ourselves or others to learn from what we see, then we just need to send pleasantries to each other or contuine to blow smoke up each other as*

[Smitty]

Have you learned that it's not always what someone, say a coach, says but how they say it that earns them a T? The same approach applies in all walks of life, Clay. You have to earn respect and clearly by the way you choose to express yourself you aren't getting that concept. Maturity is something that grows over time. It's your choice to allow it to grow or not. Not everything is black and white and your experience and abilities as an official can only be bolstered so far by what you read in a forum like this. The rest is how you carry yourself while applying the concepts you have learned. If you carry yourself on the court the way you have in your posts, I think I can understand why you might not be getting those championship games assigned to you yet.

[CLAY]

Smitty,

I have enough of the high level games as my schedule and family will allow. I am not upset about my assignor and what games he gives me. What Iam saying is, you work your butt off to get to this level, clinics, films, working summer leagues to keep in shape etc. I have done what it takes to be a good and respected official. I have paid my dues. What gripes me is the fact I go to game see these 3 "fat officials" out of shape,out of position, etc. and yet they are doing a game they have not business doing and they know it. I have given up alot of family time to be the type of official I have become. I see these guys out there, and Iam thinking while Iam in a gym at 110 degrees in the summer away from my family putting in the time it takes to advance my skill level, these guys are sitting in the back yard having a cookout with their family eating, drinking and more eating and getting fatter and fatter.

[Smitty]

I guess all I can say to that is that life isn't fair. If you're doing all that, the torch will pass soon enough. Things have a way of working themselves out - if those guys truly don't belong on the court, I'm sure the word will filter down from the coaches, AD's, parents, etc. to the appropriate people and those guys will retire gracefully. Then the new breed can come in and do the right thing. In the meantime, all we can do is the best we can and keep getting better and be ready when that time comes.