Officiating a Team You Formerly Coached

[just another ref]

If it bothers you and you can avoid calling these games, do so. If it bothers other people and that bothers you and you can avoid these games, do so. Otherwise, treat it like any other game and do the best you can. I have varsity games today involving the local high school from which my son graduated a couple of years ago. The girls head coach is a friend and actually is one of the officials in our local rec league. The boys head coach is a guy I grew up with and is on a short list of people I have known for 40+ years. Is this an ideal situation? No. But it's nothing I can't deal with.

[fullor30]

Originally Posted by just another ref

If it bothers you and you can avoid calling these games, do so. If it bothers other people and that bothers you and you can avoid these games, do so. Otherwise, treat it like any other game and do the best you can. I have varsity games today involving the local high school which my son graduated from a couple of years ago. The girls head coach is a friend and actually is one of the officials in our local rec league. The boys head coach is a guy I grew up with and is on a short list of people I have known for 40+ years. Is this an ideal situation? No. But it's nothing I can't deal with.

I don't see a problem........

[JRutledge]

I think we worry too much about perceptions of other people. I do not care what people think as a factor of where and when I work. If someone is looking hard enough, they will find a presumed conflict. What if I went to high school with a coach? Should I avoid that game if my involvement was over 20 years ago? If you do this long enough you will know someone better than another person or you will have contact with someone in a way that someone else does not. Work the game if it matters to you and if it is not a varsity game, I see this as a real non-issue.

Peace

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by just another ref

I have varsity games today involving the local high school from which my son graduated a couple of years ago. The boys head coach is a guy I grew up with and is on a short list of people I have known for 40+ years. Is this an ideal situation? No. But it's nothing I can't deal with.

The game was a good one. Locals lost 86-83 and outcome was in doubt until the last few seconds. One thing I have found in the past which was true again tonight. When they all know you, the noun of address gets more specific, but the complaint get more vague. Instead of "C'mon ref, that was a foul!" you hear
"C'mon (your name here) call the game right." This, of course, translates to "C'mon, (whoever you are) call the game for us!"

I did hear one I had never heard before. Local team scored. B1 took it out of the net and stepped out, after which I hear "Time out!" I could tell who it was, but instinctively turned to look at the local coach anyway, then turned back to follow the play. After the throw-in as I passed the bleachers, I hear a helpful mom: "C'mon (my name again) We called timeout!" And you just know that afterward she backed it up: "Y'all saw that! He looked straight at him and still wouldn't give him the timeout."