Why you officiate...

[zebraman]

Originally Posted by bgtg19

Everyone (O.K., not everyone, but a lot of people) goes through a stage where they think about hanging up the whistle. I'm going through that now. (Not for age or health reasons - I'm in my 30s and in good shape - just wondering whether all the time and cr@p is worth it.)

Although I'm sure we've had threads like this before, I thought it might be helpful to hear why you do what you do. I certainly understand that my decision will be ... well, my decision. I'm not looking for you to decide for me. I'm just looking for you to share YOUR reasons which might help me as I explore my own. Thanks.

I love officiating basketball for so many reasons. I still get to be associated with the game I have loved all my life. I get a good cardio workout several nights a week and I don't even notice that I'm getting a good cardio workout because I'm so involved in what I am doing. Most of my best friends are refs now so I love the social part of it too.

The sound of squeaking tennis shoes. The smell of popcorn. The roar of a crowd. The band. A great rendition of the Star Spangled Banner.....and on and on.

I can honestly say that the money has nothing to do with it. Even the JC games I do don't pay enough when you figure out how much time and effort you put into it.

I just love it. Love it, love it, love it. When I am no longer passionate about it, I will stop. I just can't imagine that happening though.

[SWMOzebra]

Passion for the game, simple as that. I was never any good at it in my youth, so being the best official I can be mentally and physically is a very VERY small way I can contribute something back to the game.

And, as many others have touched upon, getting paid to exercise 3-5 nights a week doesn't hurt my feelings at all!

[kbilla]

Where else can you experience anything like it? I would never equate officiating to war, but having never been nor ever planning on going, it might be the closest I will ever do. It is you and your two partners and then there is everyone else. Take it seriously and do a good job and you are doing everyone in the gym a service that you can be proud of....whether they realize it or not!=)

[Ron Giacoma]

Originally Posted by bgtg19

Everyone (O.K., not everyone, but a lot of people) goes through a stage where they think about hanging up the whistle. I'm going through that now. (Not for age or health reasons - I'm in my 30s and in good shape - just wondering whether all the time and cr@p is worth it.)

Although I'm sure we've had threads like this before, I thought it might be helpful to hear why you do what you do. I certainly understand that my decision will be ... well, my decision. I'm not looking for you to decide for me. I'm just looking for you to share YOUR reasons which might help me as I explore my own. Thanks.

It's the next best thing to playing the game .

[26 Year Gap]

I love basketball. I loved playing it. I loved teaching kids basketball skills in a program I ran in my small town. I loved teaching kids plays in the junior hoop program. But as I reached the highest level of coaching that I desired, and after viewing a lot of junior high & AAU contests, I thought that I could do that [again]. So, after 26 years removed from my previous certification, I took the class 4 years ago and passed the test. I have enjoyed the challenge of improving and hopefully to move up. I like the exercise. AND I get into a lot of games for free because I stay for the nightcaps.