One of our own is completing an amazing feat today.

Our own BktBallRef- Tony Haire- has been picked to officiate a North Carolina state high school football championship game today. That follows closely on last year's success when Tony was chosen to officiate a NC state high school boys basketball championship game.

Being chosen to do a state final in two different sports is a great achievement in any official's career.

Big ups, TH.

Btw, for anyone who may watch this game, TH will be the umpire. That's the guy that stands behind the defensive line with Snickers in his hand instead of a whistle.

Outstanding! Congrats to TH.

Basketball then footbal, same year?

Just another example of the good-ol'-boy network at work.

Congratulations Tony! Great job!

:D

Way to go Tony. :cool:

Z

Congrats, Tony!

Congratlations Tony!

I coulda seen him in action in the 2nd round when I visited my folks last month. He was doing a game about 5 miles from their house. But it was dang cold [you could ask him] and I was there for my folks' 50th so to slip out for a HS FB game [especially when my niece's team also had a home game that night which she went to] would've been asking for a T.

Mega dittos.

Congrats Tony!!

<font color = purple size = 10>Attaboy, Tony !!! </font>

Thanks to everyone!
 

Actually, basketball was 2003. But thanks to JR for remembering.

It was a blast! 26YG, even though we kicked off at 4:30 and it was about 40 degrees, it felt like it was 70 and sunny. 9-3 at the half, ended up 28-16 final, with the losing team's drive coming up short in the final minute.

Still deciding if I'll take up baseball and go for the threepeat! :p

JR, not sure the basketball guys understand the Snickers reference. ;)

BTW, I don't think I've ever been this tired.

For the readers...
 

Usually when people break into football officiating, they work the sidelines. From there, you could be promoted to a deep guy, then to Referee, or directly to Referee. Umpires are special people - not everyone wants to Umpire and they usually have good job security :). Working the Umpire spot, as JR mentioned, is usually reserved for those with more mass. (In Tony's case, it is his height.) IOW, sometimes you'll have a player bounce off you. The joke is that they got this way from eating a lot of Snickers bars.

BTW, congrats TH!

Thanks Jug.

Been working the middle for two seasons now and I'm proud to say that through 30 games, I've yet to go down. But I've helped several DB's back to their feet! :p

You will go down.

Oh yes, you will.

Guaranteed.

And you'll wonder whatinthehell hit you when you do go down. :)

Again, congratulations, Tony. A rare double, fer sure.

Woody, he'd better be big, fast and most importantly, I'd better not see him coming! :D

<center><img src=http://www.saoa.faync.com/Finals.jpg></center>

If #62 hits your azz, your azz is grazz.

Real men don't wear mittens. Did you have a string going between them, through both sleeves and around your neck, so that you wouldn't lose them?

Just kidding. :D

[Edited by Jurassic Referee on Dec 11th, 2005 at 01:46 PM]

Mechanics question.
 

Tony,

Why are your other officials facing the benches? I am asking because that is not something we would be doing in our mechanics. I am sure there is an explanation for this, this is why I asked.

Congrats once again your State Final assignment.

Peace

What the Hey??!!!?
You wearing Carhartts under that uniform ? :)
mick

Damn skippy I was. I was wearing everything I owned under that uniform, just to keep warm. In fact, it got a little too warm.

#1, #62 was a NG, so he wasn't a problem.

#2, I don't get cold for anybody.

They are watching the bench areas. That's the mechanic that we us throughout the state (although I think the BJ is looking for a bathroom). :)

[Edited by BktBallRef on Dec 11th, 2005 at 07:06 PM]

Why do they need to watch the bench area? Do they need to prevent fights or unsportsmanlike behavior? That just sound weird from what we do. You learn something new everyday.

I did think the BJ was looking for the bathroom too. :D

Peace

It's just to prevent any other players from coming onto the field during the toss. Some coaches want to send all their seniors out, things like that. Plus, they're not missing anything in the middle of the field.

Why do you have to face the benches to prevent that? Can you just say to the coach before the pre-game meeting, "Coach we only need 4 captains" or something to that affect.

I just find it very interesting why different states do drastic things to prevent issues that would never be a concern in another area or state.

Peace

Jeff, why does it mtter which way they look? What's drastic about it? You either face the captains, R and U or you face the sidelines. We choose to face the sidelines. It's not that big of a deal.

It does not matter to me at all. I just find it interesting that this is a major concern where you live and it is not at all an issue where I live (or probably other places for that matter). I realize it is not a big deal to you, just something I found fascinating.

Peace

I thought it was interesting also..... and maybe solving a non-existent issue...either way...in the long run, it doenst matter....just looks different...

I assume that is you standing next to white #11?

HMMM...makes you wonder, doesn't it?

...Fanboys.... http://www.deephousepage.com/smilies...inted_anim.gif

Shame on you calling Tony a fanboy! :D

40 degrees and you were COLD??? What a wuss! In CT, we wear short sleeves and shorts in 40 degree weather. :p

Congrats on the assignment! I totally understand about the Snickers reference. I was working U in a early season scrimmage (had never worked the position before) and got hit hard by a defensive back. My hat flew about 10 feet, but I didn't move. Definately need to work on getting in better shape when that happens.

Tony - congrats on the assignment. As I get older, I realize how hard it is to get to that level, much less in two different sports. I hope the memories were good, and last a while.

Speaking of older, I am extemely disappointed in the older members of this forum (JR and Mr. Spelling Guy). How could they have allowed the Champioship :eek: to go on this long?

Maybe because JR was the one who wrote "Champioship"?

Why you tryin to hold #11's hand on the way out there? Didn't want him to get lost? :D

I bet the two "Brothas" on the game had some say about the type of shirts they wore. ;)

Peace

It's all relative to where you live. Earlier this season, I read a thread on the NFHS board where a Florida official asked if one official wore a long sleeve shirt, should all 5 wear one.

It was going to be in the 60's on game night. :)