Why We Ref

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Terrapins Fan

I agree. But we have no evaluators. they were removed and done away with about 5 years ago. makes it harder to move up now and that's what they powers that be wanted.

Wow! That doesn't make sense imo. The whole idea of evaluation isn't really to worry about anyone "moving up". The idea should be to increase the skill level of all officials and also to ensure that proper mechanics, interpretations, new rules, etc. are being practiced by everybody. There's really no down side to evaluations imo if they are done positively and consistently.

Whatintheheck is your association thinking of? Any reason(s) they quit doing them?

[Terrapins Fan]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

Wow! That doesn't make sense imo. The whole idea of evaluation isn't really to worry about anyone "moving up". The idea should be to increase the skill level of all officials and also to ensure that proper mechanics, interpretations, new rules, etc. are being practiced by everybody. There's really no down side to evaluations imo if they are done positively and consistently.

Whatintheheck is your association thinking of? Any reason(s) they quit doing them?

Our evaluations were used to improve and to get play off games. Several of our top officials ( those on the board ) didn't get the games they thought they should, so they voted in executive committee to eliminate evaluators. that was in my 3rd year. Now in my 8th year, and people in the 4th and 5th year have never been evaluated. If you are doing something wrong, how would you know?

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Terrapins Fan

Our evaluations were used to improve and to get play off games. Several of our top officials ( those on the board ) didn't get the games they thought they should, so they voted in executive committee to eliminate evaluators. that was in my 3rd year. Now in my 8th year, and people in the 4th and 5th year have never been evaluated. If you are doing something wrong, how would you know?

Sounds like it's time for someone to stand up in a meeting and say "I want some sort of evaluation system put in place" and then let the bickering begin.

[ma_ref]

Regarding the original situation with the 73 year old guy, I'd say it's probably time for his assignors to step in. If they've got an official doing a sub-par job, then that reflects badly on the assignor, too. Not sure what it's like in the rest of the country, but around here the assignors work for the AD's of their respective leagues. If those assignors can't send qualified officials on a nightly basis, then the AD's will get rid of them and find someone who can. "Why is Assignor Joe always sending me this old guy who can't keep up with everybody?"

3-person mechanics were not put in place to extend the careers of officials. It's there to get an extra set of eyes during the game to cover more area and reduce the likelihood of missing something.

Personally, I don't think I could ever tell an elder official that it's time for them to call it quits, but as an assignor, I think that's part of their duties...albeit an unpleasant one...much the same as if they were somebody's manager at a regular daytime job, and had the unpleasant task of firing somebody.

And lastly, let's all remember that we're on that court for the players, too. By not being able to keep up during the game and get in the best viewing position to make calls, he's doing a disservice to the players in the games he works.

That's my 2 cents...

[loners4me]

I started officiating for 2 reasons. 1. I love basketball and when I'm not officiating it I'm playing or watching. Secondly, I do it for the exercise.

[Huskerblue]

I officiate because getting paid to exercise sure beats paying money to work out in a health club. I enjoy the spirit of competition between teams, and also the comraderie with my partners. Some nights are obviously better than others, but the season(s) as a whole are fulfilling for me.

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by Terrapins Fan

Our evaluations were used to improve and to get play off games. Several of our top officials ( those on the board ) didn't get the games they thought they should, so they voted in executive committee to eliminate evaluators. that was in my 3rd year. Now in my 8th year, and people in the 4th and 5th year have never been evaluated. If you are doing something wrong, how would you know?

And the guys on the exec committee have all the power and can as they wish and take whichever games they want. Sadly this happens in many areas.