Just missed out on working NBA game - sort of...

[Mark Padgett]

This weekend, there is going to be a fundraiser for the local HS athletic program. The faculty is going to play a game against the Portland Trailblazer alumni team. Some of the players on the ex-Blazer team are Bobby Gross, Darnell Valentine, Greg Smith, Dale Schleuter, etc.

I found out about it after they had already lined up officials, but they asked me to work the first game which is a co-ed mini-game (4 minute quarters) consisting of seniors from the HS program.

It should be a lot of fun, especially since the boys won the 4A state championship this past season.

I get to work with a ref buddy of mine who is on the faculty and will then be playing in the second game. We're wearing shorts, so he doesn't have to change.

They said I could sit on the Blazer's bench for their game and give all the faculty players (many of whom I know personally, since my 3 kids went to that school) a hard time.

Believe me, I will.

Maybe I'll get to do the game next year. The officials who do those games do them in kind of a "Globetrotters" style with a lot of showmanship.

I don't get paid for doing this, but I get to stay and watch the second game for free and they did say they'd buy me a Diet Pepsi.