Article on the shortage of officials in Idaho
 

http://www.idahostatesman.com/104/story/60515.html

By Brian Murphy
Idaho Statesman | Edition Date: 11/17/06

Wanted: Local sporting leagues seeking <s>scapegoats</s> officials. Needed for all age groups. Officials <s>those blind guys who totally jobbed us</s> must have experience and a working knowledge of the sport. Must also be willing to <s>be called every name under the sun, blamed for each loss and generally treated as if you were less than human</s> work nights.

Officials will help <s>derail the college and professional careers of precious young athletes</s> foster a positive environment for competition among players and <s>drunk, angry and/or overzealous moms, dads and assorted other family members</s> spectators.

Hey, don't you want to sign up?

Few televised sporting events now conclude without at least one officiating fiasco and plenty of complaining. That's trickled down to local players, who play like has-beens but have perfected the superstar whine.

It's little wonder the Treasure Valley sporting organizers are having trouble attracting and retaining officials, which leads to fewer experienced officials and more bad calls.

Now the shortage is nearing a critical level.

"It's kind of a thankless job," said Doug Holloway, the superintendent of recreation for Boise Parks and Recreation.

"The feedback that we've gotten is they're sick of the attitude of the people playing. Last year, there was a record number of technicals in basketball. This year in flag football, there was a record number of ejections. They decide ‘I don't need to put up with that.' "

That's why the city league has increased the penalties for unsportsmanlike technicals and why Holloway has been forced to exhaust his resources searching for officials. He's tried the Boise State campus, where college students normally jump at the chance to make a few bucks — basketball officials earn between $18 and $22 per game and work three games a night. He's tried paid advertising for the first time to fill his need of 35 basketball officials.

Today, two weeks before the season begins, Holloway has 12.

"We did hold back on taking some teams we did have enough gym space to take, but we were apprehensive about the officials," Holloway said.

And it's not just basketball. Holloway said he had only three flag football officials this year. Local soccer organizations are suffering as well. Hockey and softball, too.

"When we get up to the older age groups and more competitive games, yes, it's a struggle," said Cathy Hurley, a referee assigner in the Capital Youth Soccer Association.

As the Treasure Valley's population increases, so too, does the demand for officials. More children — and more adults — want to participate in competitive sports. Fewer officials want to call their games.

"A lot of the new guys will do it for a year or two and say, ‘I don't want to put up with this crap anymore,' " said Rick Hardy, a veteran basketball and softball official. "A certain group of them don't come back the next year."

And that's not good for anyone. Competitive sports can teach children — and adults — valuable lessons about teamwork and sacrifice. Sports can boost kids self-esteem, give them an outlet for energy or aggression or provide them an avenue for success. Sometimes they can teach lessons about losing and good sportsmanship.

Without referees, officials and umpires none of that is possible.Think of the memories you would have missed out on without competitive sports.

"It takes a special kind of person, someone with a lot of dedication, a lot of work. You have to be willing to improve yourself and get better. And it helps having thick skin because officials' decisions are contested," said Joe Chertudi, president of the Ada County Soccer Referee Association. "It takes a very special type of person."

If that sounds like you, please sign up.

And if you'd still rather play than whistle, how about keeping your complaints to yourself?

And it wouldn't kill you to offer a handshake or a pat on the back after the game.

In such a thankless job, sometimes a simple, "Good game" goes a long way.

To offer story ideas or comments, contact sports columnist Brian Murphy at [email protected] or 377-6444.

$18 a game? How come there isn't a line out the door?

This is the line that says it all

"who play like has-beens but have perfected the superstar whine"