Dissappointed official

[JRutledge]

Since you brought this up, here is some perspective as it relates to where I live.

There is probably between 5000-6000 officials state wide where I live.

For Class AA Boy's Basketball there are 64 Regional sites. Each site has at least 3 officials for all 3 to 4 games. There are some nights where two games are being played at the same time and the IHSA uses another crew for those nights. So that might add only about 10-12 extra officials overall based on availability. So at the very least there are 192 officials (possibly a little over 200 might be realistically needed). The State Finals has 12 officials working when it is all said and done. The Class AA side is the last of all tournaments and this means that more than 95% of all officials are sitting at home during this time. You can only give so many assignments to so many people. Someone is going to stay home even if you rotated completely different people every single year. Then someone would not be upset they did not get a shot then. Then when someone is working that is not very experienced screws up a situation, then there will be many more problems.

Peace

[archer]

Actually that is being discussed as we speak. That was one of the reasons they changed the by-laws. Some of the officals have been talking to some of the Coaches, AD's and principles about what is going on and the commissioner was told about it and recommended that any offical caught saying anything bad about the association be suspended. Two of the districts are pondering a change and has said that they would switch to an association that is run by the officals. One district even contacted the VHSL when they got wind of the problems with our association and was told that the principles need to get away from being the governing body because of the liability. The person told them that they could be held liable if an official was to be injured during a game or as long as they were on school property because of how our by-laws are written up. But it seems that a certain group of principles are not wanting to relenquish control and recommended that the officials sign a waiver next year.
What it all boils down to is that with the current situation we are in. We are employees instead of independent contractors. Some of the officals are considering hiring a labor attorney. But finding one in this area that is familiar with labor laws is another thing.
As for the region & state picks. Been there done that and could care less about if I get one anymore. I would rather see a young offical that has worked his or hers rear off to the be the best get it. Its priceless the see the look on their face when they make the big show. But the cloud remains. The commissioner and his crew work all the Region finals, nominates himself and his crew so they get to go every three years to the state and as time goes on the average age for our association get older and older each year.