Why do you officiate?

[Jimgolf]

Interesting article about Massachusetts officials and how they got into the game and why they continue to officiate, from the South Boston Enterprise:
http://www.enterprisenews.com/articl...s/sports03.txt

Excerpt:

When he started officiating high school basketball games in the 1970s, Billy McGowan didn't envision himself staying with it for an extended period of time.

“Never. No way,” said the Taunton resident, now in his 37th year as a referee. “But it's something that just gets in your blood after you do it long enough. It's like playing, so to speak. You want to keep doing it.”

Don Fredericks of Stoughton knew he couldn't walk away from sports after finishing his coaching career at Braintree High School, so he became a basketball official in 1992.

“I couldn't just do nothing,” said the 62-year-old Fredericks. “The next step for me was officiating. I had the knowledge. My strength was in running a game. It's a wonderful profession. I love it.”

Abington native Jim Rourke was an offensive lineman for three teams in the NFL after playing at Boston College.

After retiring from the pro ranks, Rourke served as an assistant football coach at Boston College High and Curry College before turning to officiating.

“It's a great way of being associated with sports but not coaching it,” said Rourke, who has been a basketball official for 10 years. “You do it because you love sports. It's a way of helping kids. You do it because you feel like you're giving back something.”

[Raymond]

When he started officiating high school basketball games in the 1970s, Billy McGowan didn't envision himself staying with it for an extended period of time.

Is this our BillyMac?

[Terrapins Fan]

It's a very nice read. But I'd like to answer the question.

I officiate because I love basketball. I played in high school. I played rec league. I went into coaching when my son was a 7th grader. I coached for 11 years. I filmed games, I ran the clock, I did the books. I owned a team for 2 years ( rec league ). then they closed my high school. I wanted to stay involved. So, I thought, I'll become the only honest referee out there ( because as a coach, I hated referees. ) Now being a referee for 7 years, I love refereeing and I see better that referees don't care who wins ( I thought they did ) and they are just doing the bets job that they can. I know that's what I do every night. I love the exercise. I like helping kids ( sometimes, if the opportunity presents itself I explain to a kid why I called what I did, block or push on a moving screen, coaches don't often explain how to set a pick ) I also, help the kids after a foul is called and they begin to complain, I explain that they should control their expression. And this works well. Now on the Varsity level, I may not do this as much, but middle school and Freshman, I would.

Basketball is the greatest sport that God gave to us. We are here to keep it great. Look at the difference between basketball on a court and on the streets.

[DC_Ref12]

Because I'm a glutton for punishment.

[The Canuck]

I officiate because I need to be around basketball. I can't not.

I stopped growing in grade 10 when I was 5'10", but still started at forward on the junior team at school. We were a small team and I couldn't dribble so I was doomed to getting hammered in the low post all game, every game by bigger guys. I didn't play senior ball for this very reason, instead turning to officiating - it was a way to be around the game of basketball that didn't hurt quite as much.

One thing struck me about this article though - did you notice that every guy they talked to was a multi-sport official? Whatever happened to specialists? With apologies to any multi-sport officials reading this, I have my reservations about guys like that. There are a few guys who do football and basketball in my area (the two sports in which I am the most involved) and it's clear they're there probably for the money second but certainly the power trip first. Not to say they're bad guys, it's more that maybe their priorities are a bit out of whack.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by The Canuck

One thing struck me about this article though - did you notice that every guy they talked to was a multi-sport official? Whatever happened to specialists? With apologies to any multi-sport officials reading this, I have my reservations about guys like that. There are a few guys who do football and basketball in my area (the two sports in which I am the most involved) and it's clear they're there probably for the money second but certainly the power trip first. Not to say they're bad guys, it's more that maybe their priorities are a bit out of whack.

Power trip? There for the money? Just because they officiate two sports?

Lah me......

Did the thought ever cross your mind that maybe....just maybe.....because do two sports because they need to be around those two sports? They can't not be around those two sports?

Congratulations. You just dumped on a whole bunch of fine officials without ever having met them.

[NewNCref]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

Did the thought ever cross your mind that maybe....just maybe.....because do two sports because they need to be around those two sports? They can't not be around those two sports?

This is me. The only two sports I do are basketball and softball. I've always loved basketball. As far back as I can remember, ACC tournament time has been a sacred time of year.

I didn't start out loving softball, in fact, I just went because my sister played. But over about 10 years of watching softball, I've grown to love the sport, and so I now umpire softball.

I know that some guys will referee just about every sport imaginable, and that, I think, is a little questionable. But some guys just enjoy more than one sport. You can't have more than one woman (unless you're just that good), but you can have more than one sport, no problem.

[TRef21]

I officiate because it has always been an interesting of mine since the 3rd grade. I loved to watch those guys working in the NBA and NCAA blow whistles and get yelled at. For some reason it appealed to me. They never really let me play at school because I wasn't that great. They were like Tommy you can be the Ref. I was like ok. After that it just stuck to me. I started working ball when i was 12 doing 6 year olds and moved up after that. I was certified to do high school when I was a senior but they held my schedule since I was student. Now 21 and I a full time college student I have been doing h.s. ball for 4 years and NCAA D3 and JC mens for the past 2. I just love being out there and part of the game in very special way

[The Canuck]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

Did the thought ever cross your mind that maybe....just maybe.....because do two sports because they need to be around those two sports? They can't not be around those two sports?

Congratulations. You just dumped on a whole bunch of fine officials without ever having met them.

I beg your pardon, but:

Originally Posted by The Canuck

There are a few guys who do football and basketball in my area... and it's clear they're there probably for the money second but certainly the power trip first.

You'll note I dumped on the officials in my area; read: a whole bunch of fine officials I have met. There are some who I welcome working with, be it as a partner in basketball or as a coach in football. However, I also know for a fact that some have never played the game in question, be it football or basketball (yes, some colleagues of mine have never played basketball - how they were able to get onto the court is beyond me), and assumed that because they were expert officials (in their own minds) in one sport, they'd be equally good at making money and throwing their weight around in another.

I realize the officials in the original article are not examples of such, but it's not them I'm "dumping on".

[Scatmaster]

Originally Posted by The Canuck

I officiate because I need to be around basketball. I can't not.

I stopped growing in grade 10 when I was 5'10", but still started at forward on the junior team at school. We were a small team and I couldn't dribble so I was doomed to getting hammered in the low post all game, every game by bigger guys. I didn't play senior ball for this very reason, instead turning to officiating - it was a way to be around the game of basketball that didn't hurt quite as much.

One thing struck me about this article though - did you notice that every guy they talked to was a multi-sport official? Whatever happened to specialists? With apologies to any multi-sport officials reading this, I have my reservations about guys like that. There are a few guys who do football and basketball in my area (the two sports in which I am the most involved) and it's clear they're there probably for the money second but certainly the power trip first. Not to say they're bad guys, it's more that maybe their priorities are a bit out of whack.

I do baseball and basketball just becuse I love those two sports and want to stay involved.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Scatmaster

I do baseball and basketball just because I love those two sports and want to stay involved.

I do football and basketball for exactly the same reasons.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by The Canuck

One thing struck me about this article though - did you notice that every guy they talked to was a multi-sport official? Whatever happened to specialists? With apologies to any multi-sport officials reading this, I have my reservations about guys like that.

You have reservations about multi-sport officials from MASS, but you're still trying to say that you were referring to officials in your area when you explained your reservations?

Sorry, don't think I'm gonna buy that one. You inferred that the multi-sport officials from MASS were the same as a few officials that you know--i.e. they were only in it for the power and the money.

[The Canuck]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

You inferred that the multi-sport officials from MASS were the same as a few officials that you know--i.e. they were only in it for the power and the money.

Perhaps I'm not being clear. What I should have said was that my first impression of multi-sport officials - which has been formed based on what I observe from watching and working with some blowhards in BC - is that they are out there for money and to be authority figures. I didn't say it was like that in Massachusetts, but it certainly doesn't seem like it based on the quotes in that article...

... which are refreshing for me to hear about after working with some egomaniacs who think they're God's gift to basketball, tennis, korfball, football, soccer, lacrosse, baseball, fast pitch softball, standard pitch softball, slow pitch softball, t-ball, curling, figure skating, etc. Either way, I did not intend to crap on anybody. Jurassic, you don't have to "buy" this either if it's not what you're hoping to read.

[Rita C]

Originally Posted by The Canuck

I officiate because I need to be around basketball. I can't not.

I stopped growing in grade 10 when I was 5'10", but still started at forward on the junior team at school. We were a small team and I couldn't dribble so I was doomed to getting hammered in the low post all game, every game by bigger guys. I didn't play senior ball for this very reason, instead turning to officiating - it was a way to be around the game of basketball that didn't hurt quite as much.

One thing struck me about this article though - did you notice that every guy they talked to was a multi-sport official? Whatever happened to specialists? With apologies to any multi-sport officials reading this, I have my reservations about guys like that. There are a few guys who do football and basketball in my area (the two sports in which I am the most involved) and it's clear they're there probably for the money second but certainly the power trip first. Not to say they're bad guys, it's more that maybe their priorities are a bit out of whack.

I need to be around baseball. It's my first love. I played basketball and greatly enjoyed being on the team. (I only played in two games.) So when the basketball referee association advertised for officials, and I needed to keep active during the winter months, it seemed perfect.

I'm only paid for the basketball. I see my function to be there to see the rules are applied fairly and to help keep it fun for the kids. I don't think power or money figure in. I could be delusional of course. Or at the very least, in denial.

Rita

[BillyMac]

I get the best seat in the house to watch some outstanding athletes.

I get to meet a lot of people, fellow officials, coaches, players, site directors, athletic directors, and fans.

I get in a pretty good workout three of four times a week.

I love basketball. I love interscholastic sports.

I find officiating a challange. I'm always trying to improve.

I get paid for this. I wouldn't do it for free, except for the Special Oympics Unified Games and the "Doc" Hurley Scholarship Tournament.