Do any of the officials out there have a favorite place that you like to work? I worked at a place last night that is my favorite for many reasons.

1) The gym is somewhat historic in that it is the gym in which Bill Bradley played his high school basketball.
2) My grandfather used to take me to games there at this gym when I was a little boy.
3) The table crew there has very sentimental ties to my family. The scorekeeper is my second cousin. The clock operator is in his 70's and is a former official. The first time I worked a game there he told me that the last game he ever officiated was with my grandfather some 40 years ago.

Unfortunately since I now live in this town and school district I don't work there but once or twice a year on non-conference games. However I always have good memories when I work there.

Does anybody have a similar gym that they like to work in?

Alumni Hall!!
 

One of the prep schools uses Fairfield Univ Alumni Hall for all home games. It's a ncaa regulation size floor with clocks over the backboard and a big 4 sided scoreboard over center court. Very cool to work in for us HS officials.

BT: Well, not so much a favorite place to work but I do have a town and place I'd rather not work! I truley believe this backward little town has way too much inbreeding going on and they sure as heck don't understand basketball. It seems to be wide spread from the parents to the coaches and is manifest in the kids and their lack of sportsmanship. Other than this one place I really enjoy any of the other venues I've worked.

Anywhere where they have nice wide sidelines!

And endlines! With huge crowds AND close games!!

Large crowds-close to the court-lots of room all around and most of all Dancing Female Cheerleaders at intervals of play!!!

There are a couple really little towns U.P. here that have enthusiastic fans that are pretty knowlegeable, small but loud bands that play pop from the 60's and 70's, quiet Coaches, and winning teams.
Americana, to be sure. Very nice.
But for a real rush, try a few college games.

mick

I'm waitin' to see how my old, female libido feels about the college male cheerleaders, like I see on tv. How high up in the college ranks do I have to go before I start seeing this?

Just buy a ticket. :)

So, do you mean the 1 dimensional line with the dancing
angels or...

Sorry, I just couldnt resist! 30 lashes with a wet
noodle for me! ;)

Re: Alumni Hall!!
 

Hear hear!!

I was down on the court of the Hartford Civic Center (for the Doc Hurley Classic - big basketball 'tournament' in CT) and just stood for a few minutes in awe of the clock and scoreboard.

(They yelled at me when I started drooling on the operator's console :-0 !)

I rank gyms on these levels.
1) Wide sidelines and no obstructions.
2) Good crowds.
3) Good lighting.
4) Food and drinks for the officials.
5) Good locker rooms with showers that I don't have to wait 30 minutes for hot water or have to visit a teams locker room to get a shower.
6) Knowledgible table crews.
7) Floors made of wood with minumal dead spots.
8) Good security.

[Edited by Tim Roden on Jan 11th, 2001 at 01:05 PM]

Tim,
You bring up a good point in mentioning the lighting. I have been in some places that are just plane DARK or have shadows.
On the other hand, I worked a game last night where the sun was coming through the windows of the gym and we were blind on one end of the court.

As most have stated, I love a place with wide sidelines and no obstructions (like the coach I almost ran over as I was back peddling).

Back Peddling!!!!!!! Thats a very dangerous procedure which every official should avoid at all costs. Doing it can and does result in injuries to officials and players-maybe even coaches if they somehow wander onto the floor-Our association actually had an official who was seriously injured doing this and eventually died-I am not kidding!!!

Pistol,
Most camp guys I know almost always turn and run looking over their inside shoulder.
mick