Why We Ref - Page 2

Terrapins Fan · #16 (**permalink**) Thu Feb 21, 2008, 09:06am

Quote:

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?

Terrapins Fan · #17 (**permalink**) Thu Feb 21, 2008, 09:10am

Quote:

Originally Posted by grunewar

I ref for the money and the groupies.

Chicks dig the stripes!

Indianaref · #18 (**permalink**) Thu Feb 21, 2008, 09:13am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terrapins Fan

( he never has called a "T" in nearly 40 years. )

Really?

gordon30307 · #19 (**permalink**) Thu Feb 21, 2008, 09:17am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

PS This is one reason that I believe that an age limit is a necessity for a HS association. It saves a great deal of hassle.

eir a

This is probably the dumbest thing I've read in a long time. Yes some guys can't let go and there are some guys 70 + that take care of themselves and there are lazy *** young guys that can't remember the last time they saw their feet and have no business doing a fifth grade game let alone a varsity game. Doing 3 man has extended the careers of many officials. Besides that I think the association will get therir *** sued for age discrimination.

Be careful what you wish for. Someday you will get there.

PS

I'm not an old guy. Getting close but not there yet

Raymond · #20 (**permalink**) Thu Feb 21, 2008, 09:24am

Quote:

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.

Nevadaref · #21 (**permalink**) Thu Feb 21, 2008, 09:47am

Quote:

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.

Nevadaref · #22 (**permalink**) Thu Feb 21, 2008, 09:49am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

Being pretty don't mean squat.

I never mentioned your good looks.

ma_ref · #23 (**permalink**) Thu Feb 21, 2008, 09:57am

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 · #24 (**permalink**) Thu Feb 21, 2008, 10:38am

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 · #25 (**permalink**) Thu Feb 21, 2008, 12:49pm

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.

Bearfanmike20 · #26 (**permalink**) Thu Feb 21, 2008, 12:52pm

In order

1. The game... I love sports in general and I cant play... so.. this is the next best thing

2. Its a release. I have 2 very young kids, and honestly.. Getting out of the house is good.

3. The kids... Its good to be able to teach kids the rules of the game by being a good official.

4. The challenge. Learning the rules... enforcing the rules... doing it right.

5. Exersice.... need to get and keep in shape.

6. The money. I still can believe we get paid for this.

My take on the older ref... Let him.. dont let him do important games.. varsity.. but.. if he wants to ref lower level games... Let him. as long as hes switching on fouls.... so what if hes not as fast down the court. The lower levels can use good refs to teach us young pups. I've worked with a coulple of older guys who cant get down the court, and on fast breaks... If I beat them to half court... I just continued. I know its not a proven mechanic, but in these lower level games.. I'm still fast enough to beat all these kids end to end and then the call is still right. The older guys appreciated it too, and I can still refer to them when I have questions. It all works out.

fullor30 · #27 (**permalink**) Thu Feb 21, 2008, 01:51pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terrapins Fan

I work with a guy who is about 73 years old or so. The last 2 years he has slowed down, alot.

No one has the heart to tell him, but coaches are complaining at every level. Our association has limited his Varsity games ( we work 3 man Varsity ) so, varsity games are easier for him to work and easier for us to help him out. So , he does a lot more 2 man games with younger officials. That's harder on both of them. I know the board doesn't want him to come back next year. Any way, here's my point.

Why does he continue to referee? He has loads of money. It's not the money. He has been a boss in many jobs. It's not the power ( he never has called a "T" in nearly 40 years. ) He does it for the friendships with other refs. If he wasn't refereeing, he would be sitting at home and dying. He would be lonely, his family is grown. He works part time, so he has that. But he referees all year round. Most years he does more than 100 games. This year about 45 to 50. Everyone loves him, but his time has past.

How would you want it broke to you if you hit that point?

Why do you referee?

I love the friendships with other refs but I love basketball itself. I played in high school, Rec league and coached and owned a team. If I felt I wasn't able to hold my own I would want smeone to tell me. There are other things we can do and stay involved.

73? A mere child next to guy in my area who is 83 and is still at it. I saw him doing my daughter's feeder games 10 years ago and thought he was ancient.

God bless him. If I'm not mistaken he did a final four game back in the day.