Holiday Tournaments

[bigdogrunnin]

Originally Posted by Rich Fronheiser

Somewhere over the last 5-6 years, I stopped enjoying working this quantity of games. The schedule I posted earlier in this thread is about my maximum these days. It's also a reason why I dislike camps, I think.

A big schedule can wear and tear on you, but I have been off for over a week now, and I am well rested. The games are also spread out across the day, each day. Usually a 2+ hour break in between each game with games starting at 8:00 am. I start early and finish late, but I enjoy the time. I know in a few years I will be cutting back, but for now, while my body can handle it, I run as much as I am capable of running.

As for the pay, it's nice, but I know a lot of other areas get paid better. I mainly do it because I really do love being an official. I am sure that sounds simple and even silly, but when I look at my officiating and when I get asked about my officiating, I always say, "I am getting paid for the TIME I am giving on the court. If getting paid for my time were not an issue (and money itself were not an issue), I would run games for free." I am absolutely sincere.

I went to a college camp this past summer and called 17 games in four days. Ended up breaking a bone in my foot. NOT fun. I had fun, but couldn't run for almost two months after that. Those are the sacrifices some people make to get picked up. We don't have to like it, but we do have to do it.