Just An Observation
 

Before I make this post, I want to let you know that I am not complaining, whining, or crying here. I am just making a single observation about the politics within the most of the state organizations.

I have been officiating basketball for 12 years now and the last 3 I have done a fair amount of Varsity games (10-15 per year). I am not sure if I submitted last year to be available for district, regional, or state games, but I did this year and I haven't checked my mailbox yet to see if I got a game. Honestly, I could care either way.

My partner who I was officiating with tonight comes in and said "Did you get a tournament assignment?" I told him that I am not sure because I hadn't checked my mail in a couple days. He then proceeds to tell me that he got one and he couldn't believe it.

Nothing against this guy because he is an honestly nice guy who is very hard working. I would work with him any game of the season. This is nothing to do with him, but rather the topic.

How many Varsity games has he done in his career? 1

How many Varsity games has he done in this year? 1

How do I know? Because he and I were put together to take a game last minute and he tried everything possible to get out of the game from the assignor, but the assignor just wanted him to help him out and also get the experience to see if he even liked Varsity. His calls were good throughout the night, but his mechanics were poor from the start but greatly improved throughout the night and he looked great by the end of the night (just after getting used to it).

I guess I am just surprised that the state would give someone a district or regional game based on only one recommendation and someone who has only done one Varsity game.


It's just an observation, nothing more.

The question that comes to my mind is do they know?

The question that comes to MY mind is "Do you believe everything you hear?"

I am not sure, but when you fill out the form on your availability, you must tell them how many Varsity games you are doing that season. Coaches then must submit names of recommended officials (from their games) by a certain date in the middle of the season.

Why would I have any reason to NOT believe him? He is a very trustworthy person and even told me exactly what game he was doing first round.

Maybe it's a 7th grade regional game?

Are there any checks and balances to this system. In other words, how do they know someone's claims of games worked are true?

Peace

Some would consider it 7th grade athletic ability but it is actually Varsity Girls game. HAHAHAHA!

:( :( no ha ha...

JR -

Actually I am not sure how that is handled. Good thought though.

Our season is about half over. We have no idea who is playing who or when.

The boys don't know yet, but the girls schedule was just released last week.

The story gets better.

Bracket placements are done with the results from the first half or so of the season.

The scheduling of officials is done from recommendations LAST YEAR! That means he would have had done no Varsity games.

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

I am not saying the system is flawed, but that it just might need to be looked at.

Is it possible that incorrect information was given? Is it possible that he is lying?

I know in my area our Regional Brackets are somewhat decided early in our season. At the very least they decide who is going to be playing in at what particular Sectional level (consists of 4 Regional sites). Then the official’s information is decided based on information mostly on last year's information and about a week or two of the current season. What you have done in the past measures heavily in what post season games you get in the current season. Is our system perfect? Of course it is not, but no system is perfect. I am just suggesting that you might want to take more information other than what he told you or what you think you know. If I recall you are assuming his experience, this is not what he told you.

Peace

Personally, I am happy for those that get tournament games, and I appreciate any games I get as "gravy" on the season. I worry about going out and working hard every night, that is all I have control over. Beyond that, the chips will land where they land.

So...did you check your mailbox yet?????

Yes, you are saying that the system is flawed. It's hard for me to know whether or not to agree with you, however, since I don't have all relevant information, and I'm not convinced you do either. I think it highly likely that he has more experience than he's letting on, perhaps in a different town or state, or that he's done lots of college for the last several years, but no hs.

Furthermore, upon reflection I'm wondering, if you really feel that the girls' varsity games are so awful, why you'd be upset about not getting one. And I'd like to suggest that it just might be your patronizing attitude that keeps you from being chosen.

The Nutmeg State
 

Here in Connecticut, state tournament assignements are based on coaches votes. We often have votes going to officials who have retired, and no longer officiate. We also get votes for the girls tournament going to officials who have never officiated a girls game. I guess some coaches don't vote on what they observe, but, their votes are based on an official's reputation.

This is what very well may have happened. Also, even though he had no Varsity experience with basketball, he has done Varsity softball for many years. Maybe the coaches just saw the name and said "Yep, he does a good job." That is something I thought of and is probably what happened. It was pretty funny, because he even said that he had to look at the letter twice to see if it was his name on it because he couldn't believe it.

Because of only 35% of recommendation ballots being turned in for volleyball officials, next year the state association is going to mandate turning in the officials recommendations for all sports or else you aren't able to coach during the tournament series.

What state is this?

JMO, but I doubt this. The fact that one looks at girls' games as being played with lower quality doesn't disqualify one from working girls' playoff games, in general. If it did, a large portion of the officials who work girls' playoffs would be ineligible to do so. Again, JMO.

It's not just that he thinks they're lower quality. It's the tone in the voice as he said it. And comparing varsity to 7th grade. It's possible that they have the feeling he really doesn't want to do girls' varsity anyway.

And he does not have a right to that opinion?

I think his feelings on this are not in line with the result that someone might have gotten an opportunity they did not deserve. I know that my personal feelings have very little to do with whether or not I get playoff games on the girl's side. All I have to do is make myself eligible or not and I have the opportunity to work girl's post season games. But I would still be a little miffed if someone got an opportunity that they were not technically eligible for. This is not about whether or not he likes Girl's basketball. This is about whether the system that he is under is fair. I still do not know the answer to that.

Peace

I haven't heard anything. But I did read the OP.

I couldn't care less about the poster's complaining. I'm simply wondering why the state would give an official with one varsity game a playoff game. I see no reason to not believe that portion of the story.

I really don't know where you and 26 year gap bought these computers that allow posters to hear what a person posts on a discussion board but I must get one!

Juulie, like it or not, varsity girls basketball in some areas is no better than 7th grade boys basketball. If I had to work only girls basketball, I'd quit.

I would quit too.

Peace