Ever do a game that is no fun?

[Jimgolf]

Originally Posted by mjbofficial

Working 2 games and not being offered any water bothered me. We finally grapped a cup from the bench during a TO in the 2nd game.

If they give you water or Gatorade, fine, but realize that they're trying to curry favor with you, and they expect you to reciprocate in some way. Unless you are friendly with game management, I would advise supplying your own refreshments, even if they offer. There should never be any appearance of undue influence.

[Ignats75]

If they give you water or Gatorade, fine, but realize that they're trying to curry favor with you, and they expect you to reciprocate in some way. Unless you are friendly with game management, I would advise supplying your own refreshments, even if they offer. There should never be any appearance of undue influence.

OH GOOD LORD!!!!!!!

WHAT HAPPENED TO COMMON COURTESY IN THIS WORLD??? DOES EVERY ACTION HAVE TO HAVE SOME NEFARIOUS MEANING BEHIND IT??????? Its common practice here in Ohio that the host school provide at least water for the officials. We don't consider it a bribe. We consider it professionalism on the part of the AD and his staff.

[Jimgolf]

Originally Posted by Ignats75

We don't consider it a bribe. We consider it professionalism on the part of the AD and his staff.

See! It's working already.

It's not a big deal, but there's a reason cops aren't allowed to take free donuts, and it doesn't have to do with their waistline. It's certainly not something you should take for granted or something that you should consider a slight if you don't get.

[Ignats75]

See! It's working already.

Huh? I expect to be treated with courtesy in my real job by my boss. I expect to be treated with courtesy by the waitress that serves me my food. SHe expects me to treat her courteously as well, as she should. I expect the UPS guy to deliver stuff to my company to behave with courtesy. I expect the police officer that stops my son for speeding to treat him courteously but with professionalism.

Its not some sort of conspiracy that causes me to call that foul in the fourth quarter on the visiting team center. School A gives us Gatorade. School B gives us water. We don't call more fouls on B when they are visiting A because of it. The AD doesn't give us the water to get that call. He does it out of courtesy.

That's the whole problem with our society any more. Everything has some subterfuge in it. Or if it doesn't, Oliver Stone will do a movie about the conspiracy anyway.

[archangel]

Originally Posted by Ignats75

OH GOOD LORD!!!!!!!

WHAT HAPPENED TO COMMON COURTESY IN THIS WORLD??? DOES EVERY ACTION HAVE TO HAVE SOME NEFARIOUS MEANING BEHIND IT??????? Its common practice here in Ohio that the host school provide at least water for the officials. We don't consider it a bribe. We consider it professionalism on the part of the AD and his staff.

In Ohio, you must be talking about jv/varsity because middle schools games have never offered water to us. No big deal as there is always a drinking fountain within, say 50 ft, and with 6 min quarters, just go get a drink between them--or carry a bottle like I do. As the game progresses, I cant imagine the "AD" asking me during the 4 min halftime how I'm doing....

[Adam]

Water is a courtesy item, nothing more. Most schools around here provide it as a matter of policy. It's probably a regional (market) thing.

[mjbofficial]

Originally Posted by Jimgolf

If they give you water or Gatorade, fine, but realize that they're trying to curry favor with you, and they expect you to reciprocate in some way. Unless you are friendly with game management, I would advise supplying your own refreshments, even if they offer. There should never be any appearance of undue influence.

Oh c'mon. I am extremely friendly and polite with game management....ALWAYS. It really isn't too much to ask for them to provide a bottle of water. That's not exactly undue influence.

[Jimgolf]

Originally Posted by mjbofficial

Oh c'mon. I am extremely friendly and polite with game management....ALWAYS. It really isn't too much to ask for them to provide a bottle of water. That's not exactly undue influence.

So now the game rate is $x plus a bottle of water?

You're not doing them a favor by working a game, you're getting paid for it. Buy your own water, or drink from a fountain. If on the other hand, you're volunteering, than please accept my apology.

BTW, I serve as game management for a CYO program in NY, and I always provide bottled water for the officials because I want to provide a friendly atmosphere for the officials, and as you point out, it's a small enough thing to do. I want the officials to look forward to working at our school and not look at it as a chore. It's to atone for some of the nutty parents and coaches we've had in the past.

But you can't imagine how many visiting coaches use the same line, "Trying to buy the refs?", when they notice this. Is the dollar you save worth this?

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by Jimgolf

So now the game rate is $x plus a bottle of water?

[deecee]

i have never heard an opposing coach say "trying to buy the refs" with a bottle of water. come on jim how cheap are we to get bought for so little.

now slip a $5er and we are talking

[blindzebra]

Originally Posted by Jimgolf

So now the game rate is $x plus a bottle of water?

You're not doing them a favor by working a game, you're getting paid for it. Buy your own water, or drink from a fountain. If on the other hand, you're volunteering, than please accept my apology.

BTW, I serve as game management for a CYO program in NY, and I always provide bottled water for the officials because I want to provide a friendly atmosphere for the officials, and as you point out, it's a small enough thing to do. I want the officials to look forward to working at our school and not look at it as a chore. It's to atone for some of the nutty parents and coaches we've had in the past.

But you can't imagine how many visiting coaches use the same line, "Trying to buy the refs?", when they notice this. Is the dollar you save worth this?

In AZ the home team is required to supply a private, locked dressing room, towels, shower and drinks at the high school level...REQUIRED.

Seems to me the fact that you do it as game management should tell you all you need to know...that is unless, you are attempting to bribe the officials that work for you.

[Junker]

If someone is trying to bribe me the bottle better be filled with something better than water. I don't think a bottle of water is too much to expect from the host school. I really don't work many places that don't have that available. Most places also give some food at the end of a varsity evening, but its nothing I expect or worry about if it doesn't happen.

[Ignats75]

There is a school around here who has a teacher that runs the scoreboard. She alwyas makes Brownies for the officials to take home after the game...win or lose....although she always gives this evil giggle if they lose.

[Back In The Saddle]

Considering we usually get put in a coach's office with no water, or in a teacher's lounge where the water coming out of the tap is brown, and any drinking fountain is tucked away somewhere out of sight, a bottle of water is a pretty reasonable thing for a school to do for the officials. But I don't expect it. Several schools I've been to provide water for the varsity guys, but not the others. Seems kinda cheap on their part, but whatever. As for bribery...get a life.

[tomegun]

Originally Posted by blindzebra

In AZ the home team is required to supply a private, locked dressing room, towels, shower and drinks at the high school level...REQUIRED.

Seems to me the fact that you do it as game management should tell you all you need to know...that is unless, you are attempting to bribe the officials that work for you.

Phoenix had the best facilities by far of any state I've ever been in. That is where I started so I'm talking about being treated really well as a JV official!