Where Professionalism Ends.....????

[Back In The Saddle]

Originally posted by bgtg19
7. Rut said: “It is not about professionalism at this point, it is about self-preservation.” Chuck agreed with him. I disagree with them. There comes a point where self-preservation enters the equation to be sure (it may even dominate the equation in certain circumstances), but I am a believer that “professionalism” is always, always at issue. How we handle ourselves when everything is going great is important, too; but we must acknowledge that how we handle ourselves in moments of crisis and stress says perhaps even more about who we are.

That's a nice little speech, overflowing with pretty words and lofty ideals. Will thinking about it console you as you nurse your broken nose, missing teeth and swollen eyes? No, I didn't think so. I can well imagine that at a moment like the one the OP describes, you may just become accutely aware of how large and unfriendly the crowd that surrounds you is, and how few friends you have at that moment. Do yourself a favor, if you've never heard of Maslow's hierarchy of needs, look it up. "His theory contends that as humans meet 'basic needs', they seek to satisfy successively 'higher needs' that occupy a set hierarchy." The only needs more basic than safety are physiological needs (the ability to breathe, food, water, etc.). Professionalism is one of those "higher needs." When the more basic needs are met, then professionalism takes its rightful place as a worthy pursuit. When our saftey need is not met, professionalism rightfully becomes a lower priority. In other words you can shine your shoes and properly file the paperwork when the danger is over.

You could argue that people like soldiers and police are often in unsafe situations and are still expected to perform in a very professional manner. Of course these professionals fully expect to be in those situations and are trained in how to control them, to maintain the upper hand, and are armed and prepared to respond with deadly force when necessary. Hmmm, when I think about it in those terms, I guess getting my *** kicked is not very professional.

Originally posted by bgtg19
8. We read these forums for nuggets that will help us become better officials. We become better officials when we are “prepared” for the unexpected. Juulie’s tip reminding us of the power of the whistle is a nugget that adds substantial value. Thanks, Juulie.

This "nugget" could be a valuable tool in the right situation. In the wrong situation, your whistle could disappear down your throat along with your front teeth.

[JRutledge]

Originally posted by tomegun
And I'm sure "my neck, my back, my neck and my back" would be hurting.

I almost fell out of my chair.

Peace

[ChuckElias]

Originally posted by tomegun
You know how kids flop? Well, I would look behind me to make sure everything is safe and would fall flat on the floor! And I'm sure "my neck, my back, my neck and my back" would be hurting.

I like this better than Juulie's whistle tip! I just hope my partner doesn't T me for the flop.

[SmokeEater]

Originally posted by Dan_ref

Hey, if you can't laugh what's the point?

My motto, "If you can't laugh at others, well it's just no fun laughing!"

[Tweet]

I had a game just before christmas.

It was a grade school level game and after the game was over I had the coach AND a parent right in my face. I tried to explain to them the rules I applied earlier in teh game( which of course they didn't like) but in any case I just couldn't get through to them so I motioned for them to leave because the next game of a double header was starting soon. As i made the motion, the coach pulled my arm away and at the same time the parent pushed me towards the wall. I was in shock cause you know "you hear about it but u never think its gonna happen to you kind of thing". Well I just told them again to leave but to my luck the two coaches from the next game saw what happene and escorted the idiots out of the gym.

Both of them are banned from any gym in the region where a basketball game is played

I am glad I never pushed back cause that would have just escalated the situtaion and gotten me in trouble too, but in my opnion we as refs have an obligation to keep cool and act professionally at all times. I mean can you imagine a police officer going crazy on a robber because he pushed him as he was trying to escape, it shouldn't happen.

[Jimgolf]

Don't walk away blindly, turning the other cheek - by all means, be prepared to protect yourself. But nothing good can come from pushing back at the coach, so why do it?

In addition, just because you are legally justified in using force doesn't mean your association can't discipline you. It may depend on their by-laws or their judgment of what the appropriate action should be.

[JRutledge]

Originally posted by Jimgolf
In addition, just because you are legally justified in using force doesn't mean your association can't discipline you. It may depend on their by-laws or their judgment of what the appropriate action should be.

I know Rocky does not like to hear things about specific areas, but who is going to suspend an official for this in my area? The only body that can "suspend" anyone here is the IHSA. Local official's association has no power to tell everyone to hire you or not hire you. If the game is at the JH level, even the IHSA cannot touch an official for a game that is not in their jurisdiction. I am the Vice-President of a Basketball Division and there is no formal process for us to suspend anyone. We can make an executive board decision to throw someone out of the group, but it holds no assigning power. I also doubt that anyone in my association would have a bug up their behind because an official protected themselves from an obvious attack.

This is really why this conversation is very interesting. People try to make this issue so simple and depending on where you live any reprimand would be minimal or non-existent at best.

Peace

[ChrisSportsFan]

Originally posted by JRutledge

If I carry a handgun in Illinois I will go to jail. I do the same thing in Texas and I am following the law.

Peace [/B]

Being from Texas, I can tell you that it's not recommended to carry a handgun out on the court while officiating.

[JRutledge]

Originally posted by ChrisSportsFan


Being from Texas, I can tell you that it's not recommended to carry a handgun out on the court while officiating.

It would seem like if you did not carry a gun in Texas, you would be at a great disadvantage.

Peace

[Dan_ref]

Originally posted by ChuckElias

I like this better than Juulie's whistle tip! I just hope my partner doesn't T me for the flop.

Or even worse shake his head & give you the "get up!"

[JoeT]

Originally posted by JRutledge
I know Rocky does not like to hear things about specific areas, but who is going to suspend an official for this in my area? The only body that can "suspend" anyone here is the IHSA. Local official's association has no power to tell everyone to hire you or not hire you. If the game is at the JH level, even the IHSA cannot touch an official for a game that is not in their jurisdiction. I am the Vice-President of a Basketball Division and there is no formal process for us to suspend anyone. We can make an executive board decision to throw someone out of the group, but it holds no assigning power...

In the conferences with which I'm familiar, however (in the Chicago area), you can essentially get "blackballed" from conference games by the conference assignor(s). The individual school ADs may also choose not to hire you and can request that the assignor not assign you for contests at their schools. As a high school AD, I've actually refused to pay an official for a blatant lack of professionalism (not a basketball official, btw). I'm pretty sure he won't be assigned at our school again. (This only happened once, and the lack of professionalism was severe - rest assured that refusing payment was the nicest way for me to handle it rather than simply ending his officiating career.)

[NBAn2010]

The officials are role models and should display a level of professionalism above the players and coaches. I can understand the officials reaction, as he reacted to a new situation. But, his immediate response was not appropriate and he should not be allowed to get away with pushing the coach. The officials suspension sends a message to all officials that we are too react professionally to such situations.

[JRutledge]

Originally posted by JoeT
In the conferences with which I'm familiar, however (in the Chicago area), you can essentially get "blackballed" from conference games by the conference assignor(s). The individual school ADs may also choose not to hire you and can request that the assignor not assign you for contests at their schools. As a high school AD, I've actually refused to pay an official for a blatant lack of professionalism (not a basketball official, btw). I'm pretty sure he won't be assigned at our school again. (This only happened once, and the lack of professionalism was severe - rest assured that refusing payment was the nicest way for me to handle it rather than simply ending his officiating career.)

Well there is an individual in this area that has displayed some very unprofessional behavior and he still works games all the time. He has also been assigned different conferences over the years at the behest of those in the area. Of course you can pass the word around, but it is clear in Chicago alone that other assignment chairmen turn the other cheek if they want to.

Also if you are an AD at a school and you are inform the assignor of a problem, the assignor might not send them back to your school, but that does not mean your "incident" is going to eliminate that person from working other places in that very conference. I personally know of many times this has happen to me and many other officials. I even know of times where an assignor considers the source of the complaint and ignores them all together. Some assignors are more concerned with their standing with certain schools and do not care about others that might complain.

Peace

[JoeT]

Originally posted by JRutledge

Well there is an individual in this area that has displayed some very unprofessional behavior and he still works games all the time. He has also been assigned different conferences over the years at the behest of those in the area. Of course you can pass the word around, but it is clear in Chicago alone that other assignment chairmen turn the other cheek if they want to.

Also if you are an AD at a school and you are inform the assignor of a problem, the assignor might not send them back to your school, but that does not mean your "incident" is going to eliminate that person from working other places in that very conference. I personally know of many times this has happen to me and many other officials. I even know of times where an assignor considers the source of the complaint and ignores them all together. Some assignors are more concerned with their standing with certain schools and do not care about others that might complain.

Agreed and agreed! If the problems are pervasive, the conference may ask that the official no longer work conference contests at all, but as you say, that doesn't keep the official from working anything else in the area. I also have the strong impression that most assignors are very reluctant to work with any official who generates any more phone calls to the assignor than normal. Assigning games seems to be a pretty thankless task - especially around here where individual officials associations are not as much a defining factor.