I'm Giving up Basketball

[Jim Dixon]

Perhaps you have another option or two.

First, can you diminish your schedule a little? Assuming that the pluses outweigh the minuses for you as an official, sometimes you can back off a little and still enjoy what time you do give to the sport. It also sounds like your other sports are very rewarding and you put a lot of time into them.

Second, based on your comments, I would take a year off until you get the urge to get back in. That is, I would take off the rest of this year, and not plan anything for next year. By next December, you will know whether or not you have had the mental rest you deserve. I know people who have been away from officiating basketball for years because of work, family (kids growing up), health, etc., and then they eventually came back to it.

That is OK. It is no reflection on you -- your priorities should be respected.

Hope things work out for you in the future.