KY Referee Squabble - Outta Control

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Rich Fronheiser

I'm probably the only one that feels that way, but my question is this -- why the HELL is another person, official or not, even getting near the game officials' locker room during a contest?

That's my problem with this whole situation. Bailey had no business in the locker room at halftime of this game, especially a game of this magnitude. So Bailey starts out with "no benefit of the doubt". I'm going to lean towards Montgomery version of events until I hear or read something different. That's not saying I absolve Montgomery from any wrong-doing in this situation, but it means because Bailey's actions were wrong in the first place I give the benefit of the doubt concerning their particular dispute to Montgomery.

IMO, once Montgomery left the locker room he should have put Bailey and the argument behind him and dealt with it later. Say maybe, at halftime of Bailey's game?? But based upon the rules of the tournament venue and/or the KHSAA Montgomery actions may have warranted his removal from the game, I can't speak to that. I can only speak to whether or not I find Montgomery's version of events believeable and credible on its face. And based upon MY life's experiences and those of others I explicitly trust, I find Montogomery story plausible until otherwise contradicted. But that is just an opinion, it doesn't make me right or wrong.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

I can only speak to whether or not I find Montgomery's version of events believeable and credible on its face. And based upon MY life's experiences and those of others I explicitly trust, I find Montogomery story plausible until otherwise contradicted. But that is just an opinion, it doesn't make me right or wrong.

This is my point of view exactly. This is the reason I took on the might JR in this thread. This is not about right or wrong here as it relates to our point of view. I know that we would all hope that be just walk away from situations like this, but Montgomery should have never been put in that situation in the first place. I do not care what Bailey's side of the story is, he has not a leg to stand on. If I am going to confront anyone that officiates, I will do it outside of the game, not go to their locker room to make a point. If Bailey gets banned, he got what he deserved. I also cannot speak to what should have been the ultimate result of both officials. I was not there to know if Montgomery did something wrong here. All I know is he had a right to be left alone in the locker room.

Peace

[D1RefnKY]

I know how to dress professionally for a game. I wear a shirt and tie to most games as other officials do as well. The reason that I was dressed this way (casual) that you all have seen in the picture in the C-J was due to the fact that I had spent ALL day with my attorney on Saturday. I was not dressed for the game because I did not think I was going to be granted the injunction in the first place. I was only hopeful that the judge would see my point of view and side with me. However, once the circuit court judge ruled in my favor, I had no time to go home as the injunction was granted at about 5:15 PM and served at 5:30 PM. The game was scheduled to be played at 7:00 PM. I did have my gear…as most officials ALWAYS have their gear in their car – ready to work.

When I stated that “I tried to prevent this,” that was to inform everyone (public) that I exercised options of calling Larry Boucher on Friday night, my attorney informed the KHSAA and my assigning secretary and Jerry Wyman (the person who removed me from the game – who I did not think had the authority to do so) on Saturday morning that we were considering legal action to keep me in the game. We were hopeful that they would put me in the game without legal action. However, they were insistent about keeping me out. Jerry Wyman stated, “Do what you got to do!” So we did…

I discipline kids everyday. I also listen to kids everyday when they have a dispute with a teacher or another student. I give them DUE PROCESS. Understand? I had to act quickly because the game was being played the next day.

I am an educator and I care deeply about the welfare of not only my students, but kids in general. I am not challenging taking me off the 1st game…there was little I could do about it at the time. But I still feel that I was within my rights to challenge being removed by someone who had no authority to do so and then the KHSAA backs up that decision AFTER the fact. Again, the visible part of the “altercation,” (as it is being called) was only after Jerry Wyman took me off both games. I was in the public view because I was attempting to go finish the second half. I was able and ready, but not allowed to finish my job. I disputed the removal with the words I stated in the previously submitted post.

One more thing...I have NO authority to have ANY official removed from a game. From my understanding, the assigning secretary switched the two other officials due to pressure. It is ironic that JTown won the KY state championship too despite having to play the regional final on Monday.

I do not want to air "dirty laundry" about our local association, but note this as well: Darrell Bailey is the president of the KBOA. Form whatever opinions you like regarding this.

A few posters have stated another fact, the courts have intervened in officiating in KY before. They (KHSAA) are mandated to bring blacks to the state tournaments. They bring only what they are mandated to bring...3. No more, no less...regardless if more than 3 are qualified. (3 out of 16)

Last thing, I am not looking for support or politicking for such. I just wanted those who were not informed of everything and were forming negative opinions about me to know my side of what happened. I read as you all do, with an open mind. I hope that if any of you all ever meet me or see me working a game that you will have pleasant thoughts of me. If not, so be it. You are right, we are a fraternity and I agree, this was a very unfortunate incident for all involved.

[26 Year Gap]

1. Where the heck was Montgomery's partner in all of this? I do not see anything unusual about a guy working game 2 showing up at the half in the officials' locker room btw.
2. Where the heck was Bailey's partner in all of this? When guys working the 2nd game come in at halftime it is the whole crew that comes in.
3. If Bailey's partner was NOT with him, why not?
4. It seems like two guys [partners] or maybe four guys [if a 3 person crew which makes this even worse] used extremely poor game management skills and are skating like Calvin Schiraldi in game 6 of the 1986 WS.
5. Halftime is for discussing the game at hand, making adjustments, etc. At the first sign of trouble, the 2nd game participants should have been asked to leave.
6. I assume that the bystanders [other crew member(s)] would have needed to file some type of report to the association.

Now I know that many of my questions will never be answered, but I have not seen them brought up in this very long thread.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by 26 Year Gap

1. Where the heck was Montgomery's partner in all of this? I do not see anything unusual about a guy working game 2 showing up at the half in the officials' locker room btw.

This issue was actually addressed by our board this past season. Ref's from either the preceeding or subsequent game, coming into the locker room at halftime and making unsolicited comments. I will not enter the halftime locker room unless invited or, if I have a cordial relationship with all members of the crew, I may ask to come in, but I refrain any basketball related discussions. I sit and listen and once discussions turn to general bulls**t, then I join in. If it's a JV crew and BOTH members are officials whom I am 'cool with' (for lack of a better phrase) I may ask about a specific play. But locker room at halftime is the safe haven for the WORKING crew and they shouldn't be subjected to any outside influences.

[26 Year Gap]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

This issue was actually addressed by our board this past season. Ref's from either the preceeding or subsequent game, coming into the locker room at halftime and making unsolicited comments. I will not enter the halftime locker room unless invited or, if I have a cordial relationship with all members of the crew, I may ask to come in, but I refrain any basketball related discussions. I sit and listen and once discussions turn to general bulls**t, then I join in. If it's a JV crew and BOTH members are officials whom I am 'cool with' (for lack of a better phrase) I may ask about a specific play. But locker room at halftime is the safe haven for the WORKING crew and they shouldn't be subjected to any outside influences.

Pretty much what happens in the games I am involved with are exchanges like:"Are you seeing anything out there? " or "Anything you see I can be working on?" I always ask about going in at half. And most officials on my board get along with everyone else.