We don't need no stinkin'.... part 2

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I would like to make the game have two 16 minute halves instead of quarters. I think the game would have more flow and you would not have to worry about as many last second shot opportunities.

Peace

This was also on the list this year and was voted down.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

This was also on the list this year and was voted down.

Well that does not mean they will not change their mind or it does not mean newer committee members might think this is a good idea. Time will tell.

Peace

[JRutledge]

I am also going to have to agree those that feel the "we do not have enough money" argument is very lame. Let us say you pay $60 per official and you sell tickets for $4 to get into the gym, all you have to do 15 people to pay for the extra official. Also considering the concessions and the booster club fund raisers, it is really not that much money in the bigger scheme of things. I will also say that many of the smaller communities do get more fans consistently. That does not mean it applies to everyone but in my state many schools have consolidated their sports programs with other schools that had over all funding problems. I agree that education should be the first priority of every school, but an extra $400 to $600 is not going to crash most schools in a sport like basketball that in many parts of the country gets a lot of fans. At the very least these schools should not complain the officiating is bad. If officiating shortage is a bad thing, then hiring a 3rd official for games is not going to hurt those numbers because you will get officials to stay in longer and you can groom younger officials to become acclimated to a system that will keep them in longer as well.

Let us keep this in mind. A junior college program pays their officials double of what many HS pay and they in many cased do not get 1/3 of the fans many HS get. Somehow they survive.

Peace

[chartrusepengui]

I officiate in a very rural area. I wish that the stands would be filled as you guys are saying. That would be great. Here's hopin' that they do find a way to get the cash.

A question - would any of you be willing to take a partial cut in fees to assist in this? It has been brought up in association meeting here for discussion - some heated.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by chartrusepengui

A question - would any of you be willing to take a partial cut in fees to assist in this? It has been brought up in association meeting here for discussion - some heated.

Are the AD and coaches ready and willing to take a similar percentage pay cut?

We have enough problems recruiting and keeping officials. Cutting wages sureasheck isn't one way out of those problems.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by chartrusepengui

I officiate in a very rural area. I wish that the stands would be filled as you guys are saying. That would be great. Here's hopin' that they do find a way to get the cash.

A question - would any of you be willing to take a partial cut in fees to assist in this? It has been brought up in association meeting here for discussion - some heated.

Most of the officiating that I did early in my career was as rural as you can get. Many of the towns would not have 500 people in them and the crowds were packed most of the time.

BTW, when the administrators are willing to take a pay cut, so will I. Unless these schools cut half the fee you are not saving that much money in the first place. Hell, it is not me complaining that the officials did not cover a play. BTW, I live in a state where all our varsity games are 3 Person so I do not have to worry about this at this point.

Peace

[Mark Dexter]

Originally Posted by chartrusepengui

A question - would any of you be willing to take a partial cut in fees to assist in this? It has been brought up in association meeting here for discussion - some heated.

I would.

That said, I'm from CT where varsity game fees are just shy of $80/ref. Even if they split the 2-person fees 3 ways, it wouldn't be that bad.

If I were in a state where pay was $40-50 for each ref at a varsity game, I would likely reconsider my position.