I am curious as to why Officials do what they do. It is the money? Is it something you do for enjoyment? I got into it because I love to work with kids. I coached many sports with my two children as they grew up and I found that I wanted to continue working with kids.

I am finding out that I enjoy it and I want to continue to improve and do more and more games.

Why do you Officiate?

i enjoy the game, but sometimes it scares me to know that these coaches are also our teachers.

I thought it would be a different way to be involved in sports, one I hadn't experienced before. A chance to help kids experience the good things in sports and facilitate their development. I heard you can meet some great people and have fun doing it.

It definitely isn't for the money, though I wouldn't do it for free.

Though right now it's not much fun. I admit I have a low tolerance for b-s when it's not directly related to something I absolutely have to do, but if it's going to be parents *****ing, coaches *****ing and players *****ing like it's been lately, I'm inclined to hang 'em up. I know it comes with the territory, but I've never had any grand designs on making this a career, so as long as it's going to be something I do on the side, I'm not inclined to put up with b-s.

/rant, sorry to digress

You can go to the beach for that. I do it so I can go to HS sporting contest and be paid to be there instead of paying them to be there.

Which beach?

Which Gym?

i can't narrow it down.

for me it's a way to be involved in hs sports.
i've always competed and this is something that challenges me physically, mentally and with some coaches emotionally.
kills 2 birds with 1 stone: get to see alot of basketball, plus i get paid to exercise.
the sky is the limit, how far can i go?
the referee community is a brotherhood.

plus we get to wear really cool looking shiny shoes!

Makes me feel good about myself
 

It's a position of authority... Lest you think I'm a power-monger, I see authority as opportunity to lead; I'm a leader - not a dictator.

The money helps but it ain't near enough to make this avocation worthwhile. Pennies per hour.

The job of officiating is definitely a challenge. It gives me a feeling of satisfaction to do it and to do it well.

Being recognized for doing a good job also gives me a feeling of being respected.

All these combined, give me a feeling of confidence that I don't see in other people.

I love sports, but can't play them worth a lick, so I figured the best way to be involved was to officiate.

Also, at the intramural level, I get to meet a lot of people & see those who I already know through games and meetings. (The formation of sorority leagues didn't hurt, either ;))

Re: Makes me feel good about myself
 

Well said Tony. I once calculated, based on the population of our county, that there are probably just a fraction of a one percent of people who can do what I (we) do--officiate well a high school basketball game. One should take some pride in doing such a difficult and necessary task that few others are capable of doing.

Most of all, like we often tell the kids: "Have fun!" I still do it 'cause it's fun--even with all the "feedback" we get from the "uninformed and uneducated". When it ceases to be such, then I will hang em up.

Its fun!
 

having been one who played every sport as a kid, and then being a coach for several years, I find that its a way to stay involved with sports and with the community.

Also, its a great second source of income. It takes a lot of work and money to become a good official, but to me its worth it in the end.

Thanks
David

I appreciate the "have fun part of it". Some of these kids are not having fun. That is a problem. They may be doing it to please thier parents or coaches. They are driven by getting better and being the best. That in and of itself is not bad. I think we all strive to do our best in all that we do. It becomes a problem when we are so driven that it is no longer enjoyable.

I will say from time to time mainly to Middle Schoolers as I hand them the ball on a throw in "are you having fun?" Some will say "no" and some "yes". I will say to them "smile and have fun".

I think this will also be true about officiating. We must strive to do our best and to improve, this is what is required. With that said, it must continue to be enjoyable.

We own it to the game to strive to improve and to enjoy what we do.

I ref basketball because I love the sport. I ref basketball because I can stay close to the game of basketball. If I did not ref, I probably would have tried to coach. I just love the game. The money and the other benefits are just extra.

Peace

It's a good way to be involved in the lives of kids, in a positive manner. For all the hollering and advice that comes from the bleachers, you rarely see or hear of people who would willingly trade places with you. That's usually a fun place to be, through the good times and bad.