Postgame conversation

[Junker]

Saturday night I worked a make-up game that was snowed out a couple of weeks ago. I knew going in that I had one of the teams' JV in the morning (scheduled at the beginning of the year). I didn't think it'd be a big deal. JV coach was kind of sarcastic at times, but not really a problem. I show up for the girls part of our varsity double head and find that he is also the head varisty coach. He evidently coaches all of their girls teams (small school). Ugly game. It was the first time I worked with my partner and with the style of play (ugly) it wasn't a very smooth game. We just couldn't get a flow going at all. We've all had these in the past. Both benches had a couple of moments when they complained, nothing horrible that needed to be addressed. In the 3rd quarter I call a charge that easily could have gone the other way. A bang bang play that I think I nailed. Coach jumps off the bench and stomps his feet right beside me. I give him his well deserved T and we move on. They end up losing by 8-10ish. Before the boys game, I'm checking the book. The girls coach comes out to get his jacket or something. I'm ignoring him, although I saw him coming out of the corner of my eye. He apologizes for what he said and I tell him that it's just part of the game from time to time. Nothing personal. He tells me that it's ,"My first T in 10 years, that should tell you something." I didn't respond to this as I wasn't sure what it was supposed to tell me. Then he adds, "You should stick to the Saturday morning games." I thought about tossing him, but he was on the road and the busses get a little cold here in Iowa. I am calling the state this morning. The boys coach heard this and told me it was classless and wanted to make sure I wouldn't hold it against his team. I assured him I wouldn't and we had a great boys game. Just sharing.

[Dan_ref]

Junker, I know you're not asking for advice but I'm on this "coaches as dogs" thing & I'm gonna keep working it. Maybe I'll eventually write a book!

Anyway...let's say you own dog & he jumps up on your couch & takes a huge dump. Obviously you're going to let him know that what he did is absolutely wrong - maybe stick him in his crate, or whatever you do short of hitting him of course. But instead of listening to you he nips you on the hand.

Would you ignore that?

[Junker]

That's a great way of looking at it Dan! I'll be waiting for the book. Can I pre-order an autographed copy? I am going to call the state and report his actions to our head of officials. Luckily I went out for steak and some casino time with a few more experienced officials following the game. They told me to make the call. Hopefully the rest of the season (I have a week and a half left, 1 JV game and 4 varsity double headers) goes better.
BTW, I'll always take advice. Thanks.

[Junker]

I talked to the head of the state. He made a note in their file in case there are any further problems with this coach and encouraged me to call the AD. I haven't had time to do so yet. Also, I'd like to add that I was supposed to work the game with Snaqwells, but he up and moved away on me. I hold him accountable for all ugliness that happened.

[paxsonref]

Junker,
Now are you sure that he just wasnt upset that he had to shoot free throws at the end of the game when he just wanted to go home? Or maybe he just couldnt figure out what his mascot was.....I know TriggerMN and I had trouble with that one too........

[Adam]

Hey. I'm a ref. I'm used to being blamed for others' misfortunes. However, I just looked at my old schedule, and I didn't have anything Saturday morning or evening.
Was he home in the morning and away in the evening? If so, then paxsonref might be right. Tigerhawks are a bit confusing to the uninitiated.

[TriggerMN]

Apparently, when in doubt, shoot free throws.

[Junker]

Paxson and Trigger,
Thank you again for your constructive criticism. You comments both Saturday night and now have proven invaluable to my development as an official. The pudding was great too. Boy, I'm glad you only make it down a couple times a year.
Adam,
It was a snow date from one of the other varsity double headers we had together. Trigger and Paxson were up visiting and came by to give me their full support in the boys game. By the way, I had to find subs for those games twice. I got Carla to sub in for you and then she pulled a muscle and was out for the season after January. I hope you're enjoying Colorado. I've spend my whole winter on the phone trying to find subs.

[Edited by Junker on Feb 7th, 2006 at 09:51 AM]

[paxsonref]

Did you say INvaluable or UNvaluable........

[Junker]

From what I've seen, I'll take your advice on the basketball floor, but not in the poker room.

[dblref]

Junker:

Just curious, and maybe the smiley face is a clue, but why did you have to find subs for someone else not being there?

[Junker]

Snaqwells and I were supposed to work the game, but he took off out of state. My sub for him ended up getting hurt, so finally I ended up with one of my usual partners. He got asked to do a game in a higher conference, so he got me the guy I ended up with. Wow, that took almost as long as it took to find subs.

[TriggerMN]

Not as long as it took for you to call a foul with no time left on the clock in a 19 point game and give the girl two shots with the lane cleared...

[paxsonref]

way to try and let this one slide down the posts Junker......we can't let it die THAT easy!!!

[Junker]

If you remember correctly, I knew I blew it when you walked in. It was poor communication between my partner and I. Won't happen again. Thanks for bringing it up constantly. I really appreciate it. It's actually a little better than some stuff Trigger likes to talk about.