HS Varsity

[grunewar]

Similar to Don, I am in my 6th yr of officiating (rec), but my second with certification (HS). I live in a metro area with lots of opportunity.

I have done one regular season V game (private school) and several scrimmages. While several of my evaluators have said "with two senior partners I could do a V game," I am content to continue to learn from sr officials, become more competent and confident, and wait my time..... at least for a little longer anyhow.

[rainmaker]

I got my first assigned V games in my 4th year, and had a full V schedule in my fifth year. That's early for my association. Most don't get any V games until 5 or 6 and don't get more than 3-6 V games until 6 or even after. But I won't get any play-off games for another few years. There is a lot of competition here (Portland, OR metro area) for the best games, and I 'm nowhere near ready. This season would be my 8th, but I"m taking a leave of absence, although I may do a little rec just to keep my whistle from getting rusty.

[zebraman]

My story is real similar to BktBallRef

Worked some summer rec leagues for a parks department while in college. One of the guys who helped us ref was a certified official and he talked me into joining our local association a few years later.

My first year, I worked middle school and JV games. Then, they gave me a couple small-school varsity games (with strong partners) towards the end of the year after our assignor received some calls from veterans in regards to my progress.

The next year, I got a full varsity schedule with our smaller schools and then our a "big school" varsity schedule the year after that.

Our association covers an area that is both urban and suburban. We have enough officials, but not a surplus so opportunity to get some varsity games in your 2nd or 3rd year is there if you have some talent and work hard.

[Coltdoggs]

I guess I'm different than a lot of guys...so far I have not really had the desire to do HS ball (until this year). I'm in my 7th year...never done a V game...Took my state test originally back in fall of 99', scored an 88...got my patches...kept my license current until the end of the 2005 season.

I got into reffing for something to do after I had my knee worked on and stopped playing with the guys and to also be involved in the game alongside coaching my kids....started working in a local rec league, joined their board and have been working games at a hoops faciity. The games I work are competitive travel leagues for Jr. High aged kids, AAU and some Frosh/JV stuff at the facility. I really enjoy this age group and choose to stay where I'm at. I think I like the involvement/interraction/instruction I have with the kids and feel like I'm making an impression and that's why I am where I am at.

With that said, I've noticed that I have started to appreciate the older kids more and have been asked by a few guys I work with to join their association and get on some HS games. I feel like I'm a decent ref, I work hard and remain professional regardless of the level and I enjoy it.

[BillyMac]

Here, in Central Connecticut, officials will not get a full varsity schedule until they have completed at least three seasons of junior varsity ball (the first season doesn't count, it's a probationary season), and at least three seasons of "split" ball (some varsity and some junior varsity games). I say "at least" because their promotion depends on their ratings from fellow officials, 80% of which counts toward their junior varsity or varsity ranking. The fastest an official can get a full varsity schedule would be seven years, including the first probationary year.

[rainmaker]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Here, in Central Connecticut, officials will not get a full varsity schedule until they have completed at least three seasons of junior varsity ball (the first season doesn't count, it's a probationary season), and at least three seasons of "split" ball (some varsity and some junior varsity games). I say "at least" because their promotion depends on their ratings from fellow officials, 80% of which counts toward their junior varsity or varsity ranking. The fastest an official can get a full varsity schedule would be seven years, including the first probationary year.

What does "full varsity" mean? Does that mean exclusively varsity? Because almost no one in Portland gets that. Even tournament refs do at least a few JV or freshman games each year. The only exception would be refs who do mostly college and hs varsity is their "slummin", but we don't have a lot of those.

[JoeTheRef]

Similar to others, rec ball for 2 years before joining a HS association. JV my first season, Varsity split games the 2nd season, and a full varsity schedule the 3rd season, with my first State tournament game that same year.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by rainmaker

What does "full varsity" mean? Does that mean exclusively varsity? Because almost no one in Portland gets that. Even tournament refs do at least a few JV or freshman games each year. The only exception would be refs who do mostly college and hs varsity is their "slummin", but we don't have a lot of those.

In my area having a full varsity schedule means you work every Friday and Saturday of the season. Depending on whether you do a lot of Boy's or a lot of Girl's games, the night during the week when those games are played the most (That night for boy's games is usually Tuesday) of the season. Of course there are many officials that work college games on Saturday and they are not available to work a HS game. And there are so many officials in the current area I live; assignors do not ask many veterans to work freshman and JV games. There are people that might seek those games, but in one conference I was not allowed to work those games because those games were for the younger officials. And the other assignors never ask or require me or others in similar positions to work those games.

Peace

[jsblanton]

I have had a few calls to do varsity contests. I told the AD's I was not ready for varsity games. They thanked me for my honesty and told me they would keep me in mind for the future. I am in my 2nd year and love reffing any game I can get. I did a 4th and 5th grade game a few days ago. I treated it with the same importance I would give a V high school game. I Love This Job!!!(Hobby)