Well, the stop is in Chicago this weekend and despite three efforts to contact them, they didn't contact me back, so to heck with them. I'm actually glad it didn't work out, based on what y'all were saying.

I recently registered to ref the tournament when it stops in Toronto. After chatting with the organizer, I think it will be a worthwhile experience, and it should re-enforce my bank account until my next refereeing check comes in.

Let us know how it goes! Thanks, Stan

I just finished the second day of the contest today. It was extremely interesting, I was a bit unprepared for it, as I never expected to be doing a game with people who were older than I was. (a bit of backround, a 17 year old ref who stands 5'7 is officiating a game with 25 year old players who stand at least 6'3) It was very intimidating, I was expecting to do the younger kids. But I believe that it helped me learn a bit about my limits and I think that that's invaluable.

Overall it was a bit nervewrecking being the lone official on a court where everything needs to be called, because when working alone calls are going to be missed and that just pisses off the participants.

I would like to do it again, but I'm not sure whether or not to wait until I'm at least in the same age category as the players that I'll be officiating.

In the DC area, the lone official does everything from keeping score, time, track of fouls. You are the table. Too much for one person. IMHO Its not worth it!

Up here, each court had a volunteer to keep track of everything. The officials only have to referee the game, and keep time.

How did it go J?

Most satisfying if you keep it in perspective
 

While working the local 3-on-3 tourney here in Portland this summer (called Blazer's Street Jam here, but the same as Hoop It Up) I had my most satisfying experience in all my 12 years of officiating. The officiating was all volunteer - no pay, so there was some leeway as far as formality. I was working an adult competitive game and was dealing with the typical crap from one of the players - whining about me not calling enough. Then later in the game he gets free for a clear uncontested layup and misses badly. So I catch his eye and yell out "Make a layup! Make a layup! What's wrong with you?". He pretty much goes speechless and the folks watching the game behind me start to laugh. There was no sweeter feeling than being free to yell something back, for all those years when I couldn't. He and I had a good laugh about it after the game.

Re: Most satisfying if you keep it in perspective
 

I had a similar experience at a summer camp a while ago.

A1 thought he was fouled on his shot, as we go down the other way he's quietly asking how that's a no-call, finishes by saying it's horrible.

Short while later he's at the FT line, misses everything on the first, as I bounce the ball to him I winked and said "how could you miss like that, that was horrible".

He laughed.