Officiating a Team You Formerly Coached

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Eckley

I'm a first year official who has officiated 30 games so far this season. I would like to think I'm progressing and I, of course, have a great deal of veteran officials to thank. Last night I officiated a boys' 8th grade game involving a team I coached last year. I didn't coach any of the players since they were 7th graders last year. I don't believe (and neither did my partner feel) that I showed any bias toward my former team in any of my calls but, of course, the fans of the opposing team, naturally, felt differently. I ignored their comments as well as the opposing coach who said something like "Your last six calls were for white!" Nevermind that his team was undisciplined and, frankly, terrible. In my roundabout way, I'm asking, how do you handle officiating a game involving a team you formerly coached? Like I said, I believe I called a fair game, but, in the future, should I turn down the opportunity to officiate games involving my former team? Any thoughts will be appreciated.

Personally? It's middle school ball, I wouldn't think twice. If your assigner knows and doesn't care....

And the comment in red would not have gone answered, either.

"Coach, don't accuse me of cheating."

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Personally? It's middle school ball, I wouldn't think twice. If your assigner knows and doesn't care....

And the comment in red would not have gone answered, either.

"Coach, don't accuse me of cheating."

Gone unanswered?

I try not to tell coaches what to do, so my version of this is: "Coach, are you aware that you are accusing me of cheating?" That usually does the trick.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Once our oldest son entered JHS school I made sure that I did not officiate any sport involving his JHS (DeVeaux JHS) or his future HS (Start HS). And since I am know a VP of the athletics boosters organization at Start HS I doubt if I will ever officiate an event involving these two schools.

As it has already been stated, you can officiate a perfect game and it can still come back to bite you in your tuchus.

A number of years back, actually over 15 years back, the assignor of the league in which my HS was still a member, knew I was going to be in town to visit relatives and wanted me to officiate a boys' varsity game between my HS (ranked in the state's top 10 at the time) and another HS. I had the time to officiate the game but didn't because far too many people would have recognized me from my playing days when my HS won 17 league chamipionships in 21 years and I played on two of those teams (I think I broke my arm patting myself on my back, ).

On the other hand, back in the day (over 30 years ago) when I was first officiating women's college basketball and my sister was playing golf for the Univ. of Miami's women's golf team I would officiate 5 or 6 games a year where UM was the visiting team even though the assignor knew my sister attended UM. Of course it was different back then, after the game each and every player and coach of both teams would shake the officials hands and thank them for taking the time to officiate the game. And I am talking about schools like U of Miami, Florida State, U of Florida, Florida Int'l. U, U of South Florida, and the like. One time I called the last four fouls on UM's captain in a game and she didn't talk to me for a week, because we were dating, .

MTD, Sr.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

One time I called the last four fouls on UM's captain in a game and she didn't talk to me for a week, because we were dating.

Was that before, or after, you dated Mary Struckoff?

[JRutledge]

WOW!!!!



Peace

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

Once our oldest son entered JHS school I made sure that I did not officiate any sport involving his JHS (DeVeaux JHS) or his future HS (Start HS). And since I am know a VP of the athletics boosters organization at Start HS I doubt if I will ever officiate an event involving these two schools.

As it has already been stated, you can officiate a perfect game and it can still come back to bite you in your tuchus.

A number of years back, actually over 15 years back, the assignor of the league in which my HS was still a member, knew I was going to be in town to visit relatives and wanted me to officiate a boys' varsity game between my HS (ranked in the state's top 10 at the time) and another HS. I had the time to officiate the game but didn't because far too many people would have recognized me from my playing days when my HS won 17 league chamipionships in 21 years and I played on two of those teams (I think I broke my arm patting myself on my back, ).

On the other hand, back in the day (over 30 years ago) when I was first officiating women's college basketball and my sister was playing golf for the Univ. of Miami's women's golf team I would officiate 5 or 6 games a year where UM was the visiting team even though the assignor knew my sister attended UM. Of course it was different back then, after the game each and every player and coach of both teams would shake the officials hands and thank them for taking the time to officiate the game. And I am talking about schools like U of Miami, Florida State, U of Florida, Florida Int'l. U, U of South Florida, and the like. One time I called the last four fouls on UM's captain in a game and she didn't talk to me for a week, because we were dating, .

MTD, Sr.

You were officiating a college game in which your girlfriend was playing!?

LOL Excellent!

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

You were officiating a college game in which your girlfriend was playing!?

LOL Excellent!

Hey, she didn't talk to me for a week. And they were the visitor's in the game too.

MTD, Sr.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

Hey, she didn't talk to me for a week.

She probably heard about you and Mary Struckoff.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

You were officiating a college game in which your girlfriend was playing!?

LOL Excellent!

Times have really changed. Well sort of.

Peace

[fullor30]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

You were officiating a college game in which your girlfriend was playing!?

LOL Excellent!

That's against the law in 48 states with the exception of Kentucky and West Virginia.........

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by fullor30

That's against the law in 48 states with the exception of Kentucky and West Virginia.........

Are you kidding? Assuming that there are no age issues, the law tells you who you can or cannot date?

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by fullor30

That's against the law in 48 states with the exception of Kentucky and West Virginia.........

I think it is legal in Alabama and Mississippi. No wait, that has to do with siblings and first cousins.

MTD, Sr.

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

...many people would have recognized me from my playing days when my HS won 17 league chamipionships in 21 years ......
MTD, Sr.

You went to high school for 21 years??

That would be a record.*




*Kenny Mayne

[jdmara]

Originally Posted by Eckley

I'm a first year official who has officiated 30 games so far this season. I would like to think I'm progressing and I, of course, have a great deal of veteran officials to thank. Last night I officiated a boys' 8th grade game involving a team I coached last year. I didn't coach any of the players since they were 7th graders last year. I don't believe (and neither did my partner feel) that I showed any bias toward my former team in any of my calls but, of course, the fans of the opposing team, naturally, felt differently. I ignored their comments as well as the opposing coach who said something like "Your last six calls were for white!" Nevermind that his team was undisciplined and, frankly, terrible. In my roundabout way, I'm asking, how do you handle officiating a game involving a team you formerly coached? Like I said, I believe I called a fair game, but, in the future, should I turn down the opportunity to officiate games involving my former team? Any thoughts will be appreciated.

I definitely know how to feel in this situation but not because I coached, but because I went to the school. I've had several incidents this past year of having the opportunity to officiate my high school ala mater (which I graduated from 8 years ago). After much discussion with the assignors, AD, and other school's AD it was decided that I not officiate any Varsity contests. Although everyone trusts my judgment, integrity, and abilities it is just easier for all parties to not have to deal with the perceived bias from the parents.

I just avoid the situation now that it's out in the open. Maybe after 15 years I'll be able to accept those games However, I wouldn't accept to officiate a team you just coached last year. Just my two cents

-Josh

[tarheelcoach]

I transitioned from coaching to officiating last year. I blocked my old team last year, but this year I have not. There are obviously still players who I coached on that team, but I feel I am far enough removed from coaching them that it won't be a big issue.
As a teacher, I frequently officiate games with former students playing. Tonight, one of them, right in front of the other coach, said "Mr. Tarheel, whose ball is it?". The other coach gave me a strange look, but didn't question it.

There are bound to be conflicts of interest that come up. Once the game starts, I can't imagine it makes a difference for any official. If spectators/participants have a problem with it, it usually means they are really stretching for something to complain about - which you can take as a sign your are doing a good job!