Youngest D-1 Officials

[MOofficial]

The reason I was wondering was the fact that I am starting my third year of officiating in the high school level and recently was hired by a NAIA D2 conference at the age of 20. Wondering what a realistic number was for me until I got to that D1 level?

[ChuckElias]

I've worked several times with Jose at the D3 level. He's an excellent official. I've camped with him at NunnBetter, as well. He's obviously very good, and helpful without needing to be "the man". I also got to know Zach a little bit through my time in the USBL. He is an excellent official and a really nice person. He spent literally 2 hours with me, standing on the sidelines during my USBL tryout and talking about NBA rules with me. After I got picked up (and then let go) by the USBL, we corresponded a little bit via email and he was always helpful when I needed help with something. (In fact, he got me invited to NunnBetter.) Two quality guys.

Originally Posted by MOofficial

The reason I was wondering was the fact that I am starting my third year of officiating in the high school level and recently was hired by a NAIA D2 conference at the age of 20. Wondering what a realistic number was for me until I got to that D1 level?

MO, here's my little piece of advice, for whatever it's worth. Don't put a number on it. Just do the things you need to do. I was 40 when I got picked up for D1 games. Hopefully, you don't have to wait that long. But if you put a number on it and then don't make it by then, you just set yourself up for disappointment.

Just go to the right camps, impress the right people and let things happen at their own pace. You can't control the decisions of the assignors, anyway. I went through a lot of frustration and disappointment, which I just brought on myself. Do what got you this far. Keep learning. If you've got the goods, someone will notice. Good luck.

[ChuckElias]

While shoveling the rest of the snow in my driveway, I realized that I forgot to mention this piece of "wisdom" that I heard a lot at camp: Better to make it a couple years late than a couple years early.

If you make it too soon and screw it up, you're done. Make sure you are really ready.

[MOofficial]

Thank you Chuck.

Great Advise. A lot of guys around my area are intemidated to say something to me or talk to me about things because I am so young. I appreciate what you said.

[btaylor64]

Originally Posted by MOofficial

The reason I was wondering was the fact that I am starting my third year of officiating in the high school level and recently was hired by a NAIA D2 conference at the age of 20. Wondering what a realistic number was for me until I got to that D1 level?

that's great to hear MO! Keep it up. Like the guys before me said, try not to put a timetable on it, but you do want to have goals so set them, if you don't reach them then of course you will be upset but don't analyze it the wrong way. Don't say, "I can't believe they didn't take me" instead ask yourself what you think you need to improve on. Watch tape and be your own hardest critic. Get down to the minute details if you think you have the solid foundation that is required to referee at a top level.

Like right now, I have been working on a couple of things this year. I tend to stand with my right shoulder lower than my left and it looks weird. I also am working on my slot positioning (which is horrible right now) and the cadence of my whistles. All minute little details, but something that will help my overall game in my later years. You should always be trying to develop the whole package.

Good luck to you MO and keep working hard as I am sure you have been.

[Raymond]

I have a good friend whom I saw for the first time 3 seasons ago reffing a JV girls game at the worst HS girls program in the region. He was 22. 1 1/2 years later he was picked up in 3 NCAA conferences at 24 (a D1, D2, & D3).

Now he's 25 and in 2 D1's and 2 D3's and the NBA-D league. And still ref'n HS games on my board.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by btaylor64

Good luck to you MO and keep working hard as I am sure you have been.

Continued good luck to you Ben. Saw your name in a boxscore last week. Good job!!!!

[btaylor64]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

Continued good luck to you Ben. Saw your name in a boxscore last week. Good job!!!!

Thanks BNR. I hope all is well. I haven't seen you in about 2 yrs. or has it been 3 already? Anyway let me know how things have been going sometime.

Tomegun is right. There are a lot of young officials out there who are really good but due to certain "things", whatever they may be, they don't get a shot as soon as they should, but surely they should get a shot before too long, there are just so many old guys who seem to be ready to retire and I think it is going to happen in a big bundle, but we'll see and maybe then those young guys will get a shot.

[TRef21]

Originally Posted by MOofficial

The reason I was wondering was the fact that I am starting my third year of officiating in the high school level and recently was hired by a NAIA D2 conference at the age of 20. Wondering what a realistic number was for me until I got to that D1 level?

Good for you man. That happened to me. I was entering my 3rd of high school and was hired NCAA D3 and Junior college mens. I was hired when I was 19 then I was 20 by the time the season started. I'm 22 and in my 3rd season of college ball. Good Job bro...