First Varsity Game tonight...

[Adam]

My first varsity game was at my old high school; about 12 years after I graduated. I didn't know anyone there, but I'd probably refrain from officiating there again if I lived in the vicinity. It was a small town, so if I kept going back, it would only be a matter of time.

If you coached there last year, I'd say it's probably good not to officiate there for a few years anyway. Next year, you're likely to run into your former players if you officiate their high school games.

[BillyMac]

As a retired middle school teacher, I block out games at the high school of the school system in which I used to teach and coach, plus I live in the same town as well. This is a definite "possible" conflict of interest that I want to avoid. I will continue to block this school from my schedule as long as I live in town.

However, two games this season:

Girls varsity coach was a student teacher at my school, and, fifteen years ago, while student teaching for another teacher at my school, volunteered to help me coach my middle school team for several weeks. Her assistant was a player on my middle school team over ten years ago. While I was watching the junior varsity game, before my game, both came up and gave me a peek on the cheek. I don't want to block out this school. It has a great girls program, and is only a few miles from my home.

Girls varsity coach, ten years ago, was the assistant coach at the high school in the school system in which I taught and coached. We worked at summer camps together. While I was watching the junior varsity game, before my game, she came up and gave me a peek on the cheek. I don't want to block out this school.

I have been officiating for twenty-seven years, and have become "friendly, in a colleague-type of way" with many old time coaches, some who have been coaching the entire time that I have been officiating. I know them by name. I wouldn't have them over for dinner, but I would go out of my way to say "hello" to them if I saw them in the grocery store, the mall, the bank, or the post office.

How do you know, for sure, when you have a real conflict of interest situation?

[bigdog5142]

I felt as though I was fine and objective in this game...however, as soon as the AD saw me, he said that he would have to have a talk with me and the assignor about having me at the school. Didn't even say hi! He feels a conflict of interest. (He did qualify that by saying that he trusted me, but if another coach found out...it might not be good.) I just replied that I was assigned...the assignor had a cancellation, I think. I had told him about what the AD had said about me officiating there...but that I'd be okay personally about being there if he NEEDED me. Otherwise, don't schedule me. Last night he needed me. Professionally, I was fine...and I think I called a decent game. Personally and emotionally, I don't think I was fine. I just can't figure if it was the fact that it was my first varsity game or if it was that I cared too much what people were thinking since I knew so many people in the crowd.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by bigdog5142

I just can't figure if it was the fact that it was my first varsity game or if it was that I cared too much what people were thinking since I knew so many people in the crowd.

Probably some of both.

Don't worry about it, move on, look forward to the next one.

[JRutledge]

Congrats Bigdog, I am sure you will have many more. I have no idea how many games I have worked over the years at the varsity level (like Tony), but I enjoy each opportunity pretty much the same. Hope this is the start of something big for you.

Peace

[tomegun]

Congrats. Like the others have said, I don't know when my first varsity game was...I probably gave someone a T though.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by tomegun

Congrats. Like the others have said, I don't know when my first varsity game was...I probably gave someone a T though.

I cannot remember my varsity first game. It was a blur. I probably threw someone out.

Peace

[TheOracle]

Originally Posted by bigdog5142

I felt as though I was fine and objective in this game...however, as soon as the AD saw me, he said that he would have to have a talk with me and the assignor about having me at the school. Didn't even say hi! He feels a conflict of interest. (He did qualify that by saying that he trusted me, but if another coach found out...it might not be good.) I just replied that I was assigned...the assignor had a cancellation, I think. I had told him about what the AD had said about me officiating there...but that I'd be okay personally about being there if he NEEDED me. Otherwise, don't schedule me. Last night he needed me. Professionally, I was fine...and I think I called a decent game. Personally and emotionally, I don't think I was fine. I just can't figure if it was the fact that it was my first varsity game or if it was that I cared too much what people were thinking since I knew so many people in the crowd.

That kind of stuff just blows over. You are doing the right things and getting good advice from the other guys here. Just focus on your primary, call the obvious, and everything will come together quicker than you think it will. You'll get different partners that will help you develop--take advantage when you can.