Yes, its a sad day in our household. Despite desperate pleadings from his mother and me, my son now refs in an elementary school league (K-4th).

Seriously, its been a great experience for him. As the rest of you know, the job can teach so much...and basketball is just a small part of the learning experience.

The board that runs the league decided to let high school players from the school the elementary school eventually feeds into ref games this year. One of the board members is always present (game management), and helps the kids out, if necessary.

I, of course, provide him with tons of unsolicited advice gleaned from my many months of lurking on this site.

I've told my kids that it's probably the best paying part time job they will have. They both play and love the game and I think it will make them alot better. Plus all the experience will really help them to ignore idiots as they get older.

I hope your advice includes your very, very appropriate tag line! Tell your son he's following in the footsteps of some great people, and then remind him that "great" can apply to both ends of the quality scale (as readers of Time Magazine point out every year when the Person of the Year cover shows up)!

Welcome aboard!! Now, you need to get him signed up for an officialforum.com membership! :)