Bob Knight's Latest Comments about College Officials

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Johnny Ringo

I agree with Knight and the reason is the travel. Doing high school games that are all within a close drive 4-6 times per week is not a big deal. But, to fly and drive around the country - way too much!

I think the driving takes more toll on your body than taking a flight (at least for me). At least with the flight you can sleep and relax to some extent. If you drive, you have to be alert before and after your games which might less time to sleep or relax. I know I do not work 6 days a week on purpose myself. I am in my mid-30s and when I work 4 games a week that can be tiresome, especially when I have other responsibilities to be concerned with during those days. I can only imagine this being something that anyone would not be a little exhausted from along with the travel.

Peace

[Rich]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I think the driving takes more toll on your body than taking a flight (at least for me). At least with the flight you can sleep and relax to some extent. If you drive, you have to be alert before and after your games which might less time to sleep or relax. I know I do not work 6 days a week on purpose myself. I am in my mid-30s and when I work 4 games a week that can be tiresome, especially when I have other responsibilities to be concerned with during those days. I can only imagine this being something that anyone would not be a little exhausted from along with the travel.

Peace

I fly 150K to 200K miles a year in my regular job. Flying takes a LOT out of you. It's not just the dry air and the change in pressure, it's dealing with the logistics, security, tight schedules, luggage, etc. Driving 8 hours would be worse, I agree, but flying regularly is no picnic, either.

[tomegun]

Originally Posted by Rich Fronheiser

I fly 150K to 200K miles a year in my regular job. Flying takes a LOT out of you. It's not just the dry air and the change in pressure, it's dealing with the logistics, security, tight schedules, luggage, etc. Driving 8 hours would be worse, I agree, but flying regularly is no picnic, either.

This is right. Additionally, basketball is played during the winter and that brings other issues with flight cancellations and such.

For those of you who mentioned newer officials making mistakes, I have two reasons why that isn't an issue.
1. Officiating is as competitive as it has ever been and officials prepare for games like never before.
2. You are kidding yourself if you think all officials working D1 are that good. Many officials are hired, hid on a good crew and gain experience to be good enough over several years. Also, many officials who work many D1 games aren't necessarily good-great officials, or communicators. They are people who can take a bunch of crap, not penalize it and keep on keeping on - safe officials. It has turned into somewhat of a situation where doing the right thing for the game will make your stay at the D1 level short.

Don't take me the wrong way, there are some very good officials who make it to the D1 level and are already there. I just think that to say someone is good because they make it to the D1 level would be wishful thinking.

Something that always makes me laugh: the NCAA video is made during the NCAA tournament. Isn't this when the best officials are supposed to be working?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Rich Fronheiser

I fly 150K to 200K miles a year in my regular job. Flying takes a LOT out of you. It's not just the dry air and the change in pressure, it's dealing with the logistics, security, tight schedules, luggage, etc. Driving 8 hours would be worse, I agree, but flying regularly is no picnic, either.

I agree with you. I am not saying that flying or any travel is not a pain in the ***, because it clearly is. I fly as well sometimes and it can be a complete hassle. I would rather fly any day than drive any day if you ask me. I flew a 3 times this past year just for recreation and that was a pain on many levels. I went to Miami and St. Pete, Florida on two different occasions. I also went to LA at the end of the year on a plane. I took all flights out of Chicago and those were longer flight than most college officials in a region might normally take. Most officials at that level mainly work in the area they live (there are some very notable exceptions to this as well). So for example someone working for the Big Ten is likely living somewhere in the Midwest or in neighboring states. I know some officials that work in the Big Ten where I live and they are just flying for the most part a state over. In some cases they are an hour or two drive away. It is not at all easy, but if you work in some other conferences in the surrounding areas, you are not taking 2 and 3 hour flights. You might be taking flights that last an hour at the most if that at all. Then again, that does not factor your job and other commitments. I do not think Welmer has another job currently. So he can work 100+ games and not go back home every night.

Peace