Giving a coach a complement.

[JRutledge]

I realize that we get on many coaches about the silly things they say, and how they seem to not have good grasp of the rules. And most of all act like *******s much of the time.

My last varsity game of the year was an exciting one. Basically we had and all white team (two Black players) and and all Black team. I only say this because it always seems that these games are just a little more intense. Black teams think they are more talented, so they think they are just going to out play the white team on talent alone. White teams get mad many times they think that the Black teams athletic ablility is just two physical and they want you to call more fouls, instead of just being physical back. Now I say all this because this is just the backdrop of what I have noticed when I have one of these game.

Both teams are pretty decent, not powerhouses but decent. All the officials including myself were Black (3-man).

Well, both teams are from the north suburbs of Chicago and are in the same conference. So the game was also intense because of that fact. The game went into overtime and was hard fought the entire way by both teams. If either team would have made some FT's, the game might have never went that far. The Black teams coach, who was Black himself, started off complaining about almost everything. He said nothing harsh or inflamitory, just complained quietly and after I told him, I basically heard enough and stop complaining, he apologized. He just said, "all I want is a fair shake." The coach even made a comment while the game was in overtime, "this is a good game isn't it?" (saying this to me)

Well throughout the game, we had many tough calls. Calls going against both teams. We called mor fouls against the visiting team. I even made a call that fouled out the white teams big man. It was a solid foul, it just was not very obvious, but it was a foul. Well the Black team (visiting team) lost the game. And after the game when all 3 of us were living to together just about out the door, we see the visiting team coach talking to a media guy by the door. He stopped talking to the reporter and told us that we (officials) did a very good job, and was impressed that I called a foul on their big man. He said that "it took a lot of guts and he like that." He finished by saying, "we just did not get it done, but you guys did a good job."

I just want to commend that coach and others that could take the opportunity to ripe us to our face, and I would have almost expected it. I think the coach showed a lot of class when he could have easily made a cheap shot or not expressed his liking of our officiating in a very tough loss.

[BktBallRef]

Our crew worked a quarterfinal state playoff football game this past fall. The home team, 12-0, got whipped pretty good. As we were getting into the car after the game, he came sprinting up to us. I'm thinking "Oh shit." Well, the guy was a first class act. He told us that we officiated the best game he had seen all year. This is a guy who just lost his first game of the year. Since it was a playoff game, it's the first time and probably the last time we'll ever see the guy.

Too bad.

Originally posted by JRutledge


I just want to commend that coach and others that could take the opportunity to ripe us to our face, and I would have almost expected it. I think the coach showed a lot of class when he could have easily made a cheap shot or not expressed his liking of our officiating in a very tough loss.

We have a 21 team County league and 1 coach is a class act. Win or lose he allways congratulates us on a fine job. And he's not just blowing smoke at us. His submitted ratings are always high marks. Every once in a while you will find a coach who does "get it".

[Richard Ogg]

This thread leads back to one idea I've offered and that is a coach's award, given by the officials' association after the end of the season. The idea, of course, is to promote sportsmanship. Not only do you look for the type of class described here, but also for uniform sportsmanship from the players of that team, which indicates quality leadership. I know it isn't easy to do, and has pitfalls, but I believe it could pay dividends over the years.

Originally posted by Richard Ogg
This thread leads back to one idea I've offered and that is a coach's award, given by the officials' association after the end of the season. The idea, of course, is to promote sportsmanship. Not only do you look for the type of class described here, but also for uniform sportsmanship from the players of that team, which indicates quality leadership. I know it isn't easy to do, and has pitfalls, but I believe it could pay dividends over the years.

I guess I should have mentioned that our board does give an award to the school for sportsmanship. It is called the Harold Swaffield award. It is given to the school who's basetball program shows the most sportsmanship. This includes the coach, the team, the crowd and the facility. Most of the schools try real hard to accomodate us, but of course with some of their coaches and players they never have a chance.

[Hawks Coach]

Originally posted by Suppref
Most of the schools try real hard to accomodate us, but of course with some of their coaches and players they never have a chance.

If the school hires and manages the coach, are they really trying that hard if they allow poor sportsmanship by that coach? If you get the right coach, push sportsmanship and the coach gets it, then the coach can ensure that the players get it.

[Indy_Ref]

My first game of the season, the home coach got blown out by 60 points. As my partner & I were jogging off the floor after the game, he ran us down. As all of you would have been thinking, "Oh sh#$, here we go..." He says to us, "You guys could have taken the night off tonight, but you hustled and gave 100% the whole time. I really appreciate that."

For a moment, I was shocked...then I thanked him and told him I, too, appreciated his comments.