Since there has been much discussion why we do what we do, then I ask why do you officiate? How did you get started in officiating? And finally, why do you stay officiating?

I do 3 sports. Football, Basketball and Baseball. Basketball is my favorite of all, but I spend a lot of time with the others of course. I do college in Basketball and baseball and varsity level in all of them. I primarily stick only to school ball mainly because all the Pop Warner, AAU, Summer travelling Baseball Leagues, I do not have that much time for with my real job. Those were great money when I was in college and helped me pay for (almost pay for) my truck.

I started all because I am a huge sports fan. I played all the sports I did at the varsity level in HS and wanted to stay close to the game. I thought I would coach but what better way to see a game night in night out and not have the emotional attachment to a school or winning or losing. I officiate to stay close to the game and that is it. I do not do this for the money, but it is nice to get paid for something that you are having fun doing. I stay because officiating for me has been about the relationships that you form with people of all walks of life with a similar interest. The most successful people I have met are officials. And it is fasinating to have relationships from a Mail carrier to a Bank President. Computer Technicians to Sales Representative. I have formed relationships with people that I will have as life long friends and stay close to the sports I have always loved since I can remember.

This is me, what makes you officiate?

Peace

I just Love2Ref

Good one.
 

I do to, but why do you love to ref?

I ref so that I can participate in this board and learn how to improve my spelling and grammar. :p

Plus - I get to work with Juulie! It doesn't get any better than that. :)

Personally there are several reasons that I referee (in order of importance):
- to give something back to the game
- to assist in the development and growth of Australian Basketball
- because it's fun
- to stay/get fit
- to earn money
- because I'm a damn sight better ref than a player
- I like having a position of power

How I got started in refereeing:
My father was a referee. He felt that learning to referee would give me a better understanding of the game, and make me a better player (which it did). So when I was 11 I started refereeing - and quickly found that I loved at least as much (if not more) than playing.

Why do I keep refereeing?
- Beacause I have to - if I don't there simply aren't enough referees in my area (and Australia generally) to pick up the slack.
- For all the other reasons above
- Because of the ability it gives me to have conversations with people like all of you here (even the likes of Rut :))

Oh one other reason, if I wasn't a referee, I wouldn't come here. If I didn't come here I would be able to educate people like Padge, Rut, et al on the REAL (ie FIBA) rules of basketball.

Oh, and to teach you all how to speak metric.

That is Padge, not me.
 

Do not lump me up in that FEEBLE stuff that Padgett tries to preach. Americans are no different when it comes to international sports like Soccer or Football as you call it. Just because Mr. Padgett does not understand the rules differences does not mean that they are bad rules. We sure can adapt when when the Olympics and World Championships come. We win them all the time.

Peace

Re: That is Padge, not me.
 

Now Rut - In the interest of accuracy I will asuume you mean <b>almost</b> all the time, and only at Senior Men's level. :)

Rut

I got started by default sort of. When we lived in a small town near Boise in Idaho, my children wanted to play soccer but there was no organization in our area, so a group of us parents formed an organization. But to play teams from other towns we had to provide refs. About 10 of us voluntered, so we took a class from Michelle (I believe Bell) and I loved it. Then a neighbor in Littleton, Colorado told me to try basketball and the rest is history.

I like to stay close to the sport, I like the money and I like the constant challenge to excel though study, mentors, hard work, etc.

I was lucky, my HS offered bball and vball officiating for jr.'s and sr's. We could not get our card until after graduation, but we could work MS ball. So while all my friends were flipping burgers or pimping jeans, I was reffing MS games in our conference.

One of the MS AD's talked me into gettign my Track cert so I could work his meets. I had no clue about the rules of track, but now I would have to say Track is my favorite (favourite, for our metric friends) sport of the 4 I work.

I still do it because it is fun, and I can stay in shape. When it is cold and frosty outside why run on a treadmill like a gerbil when you can run up and down the hard wood. When I started basketball was all I wanted to work, it was my #1. But, basketball has dropped way down my list, because it is getting harder and harder to have fun. I try not to take many MS games anymore, not because of the level of play, but the coaches and parents do not make it fun. The second it stops being fun, or when I can get down the floor, is when I will shred all my contracts.

I decided to volunteer for my home town LL. But first, I went to a local asso. and took the clinic, so I would know what the heck I was doing. I put my name down as being available in the afternoons, and next thing, I was officiating HS JV.

After two seasons, I decided to try basketball so I could stay in shape over the winters for baseball. It didn't take long before I fell in love with reffing, too.

In both sports, I have attended various camps and clinics to improve my game and sharpen my mechanics. I have a personal desire to be the best that I can be in all aspects of officiating (appearance, rules knowledge, mechanics, game management, etc.)

Now that I have gotten past those first 4 or 5 rookie years, I feel that I officiate a decent game for the kids (and adults sometimes). I take pride in doing a good job, and always learn from my mistakes. I volunteer at the 10-12 year old level (and some charity tourneys), but
getting paid for most games is important to me. As much as I love it, I would not do these several hundred games a year for free.

Officiating is a great way to stay involved with the
game(s), it has flexibility for scheduling around work/family, and provides a valuable service. Being a member of the "brotherhood" is good, but the socializing is secondary for me. Like most things, you have to work very
hard at it to become very good at it. I am always striving to get to that level, and as I improve, I feel a sense of personal gradification. I also like to help new officials coming up.

It's not for everybody, and maybe that's another appealing thing about officiating. You gotta have what it takes.

This year will be my first year to officiate. I did basketball over the summer and I will do football and basketball this year.

I decided to start officiating for a couple of reasons:

1) Dad did it for 20 years, and I always enjoyed watching him work. He was good at it and brought a level of professionalism and respect to the crew that I hope to be able to duplicate.

2) I was heavily involved in sports in high school, but opted out in college to pursue other activities. I miss it and want to be active in sports again.

3) I can make extra money doing something I enjoy.

Re: Re: That is Padge, not me.
 

Is there another level that matters? :)

Peace

Why I Officiate Basketball
 

First, for the challenge. Officiating basketball is not easy, and I feel good when I think I've done a good job.

Second, it helps balance my life. When my real job is a pain, I can still feel worthwhile by doing a good job on the hardwood. Tired as heck after a fast-paced game, but ready to go and mentally refreshed the next morning at work.

Thirdly, to stay in (some form of) shape. I'm 51 years old, and my father had had two heart attacks by the time he was 51. To some extent, I'm literally running for my life.

Fourthly (and lastly), for the money. The pocket change helps with the little household expenses. I wouldn't do it for free, and every little bit helps.

Good question Rut,

I used to run rec leagues in the summer for a college job. I filled in as a ref when we had a no-show. The president of the local referees association reffed w/ me and talked me into doing it "for real" after I got out of college.

I love the atmosphere of basketball and it brings back wonderful memories of when I played in H.S. and Junior College. The sound of the band in warm-ups, the smell of popcorn, the squeak of tennis shoes. I feel more alive on the hardwood than anywhere else. The older I get (a whopping 38), the less activities I find that make my adrenaline surge. Officiating hoops still does it.

I'm addicted to staying in shape so I lift weights daily and do some type of cardio (run or bike), but much prefer getting my cardio workout by reffing. It is much more enjoyable and I don't think about how many miles I'm putting in when I'm officiating....it doesn't seem like work (yes Rut, including AAU leagues).

I would still ref if they did not pay us, but I wouldn't ref nearly as many games. Even though the final check is way less than someone could make putting in equal time on a "side job," it's nice to have a little extra money for the spring vacation.

My best friends now are people I have met in our referee association. Yes I'm bias, but officials are the world's most genuine people. I am very lucky that my wife is extremely supportive of my officiating and comes to many of my games (although I now make her sit above the "fan" section because she "defends our calls" too much). :-)

There is no better feeling in the world than walking off the court knowing that you gave each team a fair, safe, and consistent game.

Z

I ref because there is nothing better than getting
screamed at by a bunch of neanderthals (otherwise known
as parents/coaches) at AAU tourneys. I can just hear
them now: "3 seconds! Call it both ways! Heze alloverem!"
Got 6 this weekend, I can't wait! I hope I get the
middlecourt of 3 crosscourt games!

Bwahahahahaha...!!!!!

I started for:
1) exercise
2) second income
3) wanting to give better games to the younger players

I keep on because

4) addiction
5) can you say...WNBA?

History tells me, you will..............
 

Will you please get off the AAU stuff. AAU, Pop Warner, LL, Travelling baseball, ASA Softball Tournaments and many other things that are not associated with NF or College games are extra. I do 3 sports and I bearly have time for all of the regular season stuff. All of these leagues or tournaments are run well in some places, and are run bad in others. I never said I do not enjoy any AAU or anything for that matter. But I will discriminate for which ones that I do. I do like to have a life outside of officiating thank you.

Peace

Re: History tells me, you will..............
 

Sorry Jeff, but you brought this one on yourself. You can't harp on something as long and hard as you did and not expect to get some ribbing from others about it. :eek:

No Stripes........
 

this is about zebraman and his mischaracterization. He basically lied about what I said. I have the right to set the record straight with his comment.

Last time I checked am an independent contractor, and if I want to hate anything, I think I have that right. I do not think anyone has the right to tell me what to officiate and not to officiate. But this is a board of the "all holy" at times. We all do this for the kids, yeah right. :confused: Then do not accept money when you are volunteering next time.

Peace

Re: No Stripes........
 

You have the right to set anything straight as you see fit. However, if someone takes a poke at you, you have to be ready for it and take it like a man. Officiate whatever, wherever you like. Hate whatever you want. I don't care what or how you do it and I believe that no one else here does either. Rememeber that it is ok for you to disagree with them and for them to disagree with you. BTW, you are right about the "holiness" of this board at times, but used properly, it can be a good tool.

Take some of your own advice, no one here (or almost no one ;) ) knows you personally. Let them believe whatever they want and go on with life. You'll sleep better. :cool:

Re: That is Padge, not me.
 

Who says I don't understand FEEBLE rules? I took a course in advanced Metric at Charles DeGaulle University. I squeezed it in between my courses on cheese.

My point is not that they are bad rules because I don't understand them, my point isn't even that they are necessarily bad rules. My point (as Ellen Degeneres says - and I do have one) is that some arrogant Euro group claims to be the "World's Governing Authority" on basketball and basketball rules when the reality is that basketball is an American game invented by a Canadian and has been played in North America far longer (and, of course, far better) than anywhere else on the globe. If there is going to be a body of dudes who have the right to claim they are the "World's Governing Authority" for this game internationally, they should be located here and derive their authority from the fact that no one knows our game better than us.

Let the Euros stick to something they know, like boring soccer and cheese. :p

Re: Re: No Stripes........
 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by stripes
[B]Do not need to take advice. I personally do not care what others think. That takes energy that I do not. But reponding to when someone lies about something I said is what this board is all about. I think a few need to look up the word "discussion." That does not mean I just go along with anything that is being said.

BTW, I always sleep well. ;)

Peace

Re: Re: Re: No Stripes........
 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by JRutledge
[B]This is exactly what I mean. Don't waste the energy.

We all do this for the kids, yeah right.

<i>Rut, I most certainly do. As I said before, it doesn't make sense to do it for the money. When you figure out your "per hour" ratio, it is peanuts. Most of the officials in my area are professionals and could make more staying a little late at work than they do for the whole officiating season. It is obvious from your statements that you don't do it for the kids. That's fine..but I do and so do many. </i>

Then do not accept money when you are volunteering next time.

<i> If I accepted money, it would not be considered volunteering by definition so that makes no sense. I have often reffed boy's club, special olympics, and other youth tourneys for free. That is called volunteering. Other times I get paid. I would still ref if it wasn't paid...just not so many nights during the season. The money is a bonus and I have never turned it down. </i>

<i> I have never intentionally lied about anything you said. You flame people regularly and then act defensive when I make a reference to your dislike for AAU ball which you have railed on endless times. You are hard to follow quite often. You seem to contradict yourself quite often. You claim to not care what anyone says yet you go to great lengths (and many paragraphs) when someone disagrees with you. You re-open closed threads to "get in the last word." You say some of us don't have a life because we do some AAU ball which is really none of your business. Besides, I do one sport and you do three so if your definition of not having a life is too much reffing, look in the mirror. Take your own advice and chill.</i>

Z

I guess the rules only apply to me?
 

I guess you consider it a flame when I respond to you, when you respond to me it is not? Interesting. I guess you must really care, you reponded with a couple of paragraphs means you do not care but I do. I see you logic and the rules applies to me but not you, you make perfect sense. :P

Well all that is neither here nor there. You still lied about what I said about AAU. My comment was what it was, "What do you expect, it is an AAU Tournament?" AAU is usually a very mixed bag, that was the whole point. But I guess that means I do not do them or never do tournaments to you. You are on this board, what else should I expect? :( That is why I said you lied. Maybe you do not need to get a life, but you sure as hell need to not worry what I (I is the crucial word here) think about Stupid AAU tournaments. I know many more officials that do not do any of AAU or any summer ball for that matter than the ones that do. So I guess that means that many of us do not like them or do not care one way or the other. So while you are doing AAU, I am doing baseball. At least during the spring. You can have them, I will be on the Pier. Or at Great America, or anywhere I want to spend my summer.

I guess this is a flame in your definition.

Peace

Let it go man, let it go.

Z

First off, I think Godman's or whoever's hypothesis needs to be modified - in any Officiating.com discussion, the topic will eventually turn to FIBA/Metric/"World Championship" blabber - you know the stuff.

I like to officiate because I have a highly technical/rules-oriented mind (which is why I'm also selected for roles such as election monitor and parliamentarian :D), and the fact that I can't play a lick of basketball, so this is a great way to be involved in the game (you think Shaq is bad at free-throws??)

As most of you know, I got started on the other side of the table. My freshman year, I showed up very early to play in our 3-piece pep band, and the JV coach had me sit at the table and learn the clock. At the end of the season, the father of a friend gave me his rulebook/casebook/official's manual from that year and I started reading. Of course, when I got to college and was finally able to get out on the floor (albeit in an IM league) I did - making myself only one of maybe 3 refs to have read an actual rulebook.

Good.
 

It is gone. Believe me it is gone.

Peace

Thanks. It looks like all my hard work is finally paying off.

I started doing it for the money. I continue to do it because I get paid to learn how to be a people person, how to handle complaints, how to be in control without being controlling, how to stand out above the crowd, how to make ten of the most famous people in the world stop what they are doing and listen to you for five seconds.

And the number one reason why I officiate basketball is.... They pay me to watch basketball.

What reffing means to me?
 

Like many of you, I got into officiating
because of a "no-show". In 1973 at ULowell Div 3 (MA),
my roommates and I had just finished our practice
and were about to leave when the intramural director begged us to help out because he was "short-handed". We worked (3) games and had some fun with it. The cross country coach there saw that we had some knowledge and potential so he invited us to join him at the high school meeting. We fit in well at the start and even got varsity (small private school) games in our first year (you solicit your own games at the sub-=varsity and private schools). I moved to CA after 6 years of climbing the ladder in MA. I worked boys and girls hs, jc, and small college, and up to D1 women.All the while working rec ball. Now after all those games and miles, I own a company that assigns officials to almost 50 recreational leagues. There have been some bumps in the road along the way, but the benefits far outweigh the problems/obstacles. I have made some lasting friendships with many fine people who officiate. I have been fortunate enough to work for 15 years at Magic Johnson's camps (some great coaches on staff). I got to ref games with many, many, ex-NBA-ers. I reffed quite a few high schoolers now playing in the NBA. I have built a network in San Diego with some very important business men. etc etc etc
I have recently begun a weekly newsletter for the officials in my business. I try to educate and mentor. I get much satisfaction from "helping" someone to be a better official and a better person. And oh yeh, did I forget to mention that I love the challenge and thoroughly enjoy the feeling of being on-stage during games and recognized around town.
Also not a bad thing to get into sporting events (and onto golf courses) free, because of friendships made with coaches, owners, players, security guards, and parents.
I've only got a few more miles left in this old body
so I try to enjoy every moment possible, every once in a while stopping to reflect on this awesome opportunity.
How good is it when players come up to you after their game(even the losers) to tell you "GOOD GAME REF!"?
Thanks for allowing me to share my experiences.
Barry "the boss" Alman
http://www.sdboss.com

Previously said in this forum: "Let the Euros stick to something they know, like boring soccer and cheese."

As a native of America's Dairyland (Wisconsin), I take offense at people saying that the Euros know cheese better than Cheeseheads...Real Wisconsin cheese is the best in the world, hands down!


Onto the topic:

I was never much of an athlete (perhaps eating too much of that Wisconsin cheese while growing up in the Dairy state), but I loved sports and wanted to be involved. I started, like a lot of people here, doing youth Little League games and the like. Worked intramural hoops in college and eventually got my certification to work hoops in Minnesota, where I live. Been doing high school JV/B-squad games in Minnesota for the past three years. I enjoy it, though I don't know how much longer I can do it, with my work schedule (I work in college athletics PR and do a lot of freelance work in the Twin Cities for various pro and college teams). Still, I enjoy officiating. It keeps me in some form of shape (round is a shape!) and has helped me as a basketball fan to increase my understanding of the game.

Sorry to disagree with you, but I spent a couple of years living in Europe (Belgium and Holland) and I have never eaten any cheese in the US that compares to what they have there. Don't get me wrong I love the good old USA, but the Euros can make cheese (and bread :cool: ).

Hey Barry,

What scheduling software do you use to assign all your referees?

Thanks,

Z

scheduling done by hand
 

I considered using software many years ago.
I don't for a few reasons.

#1 I get sooooo many changes from leagues and I get more
than a few turnbacks from officials.
I like to see erasures and additions.

#2 I like to see the whole day in front of me.
I post M-W on one page and Thur-Sun on another
then staple together a month's worth.
I use 10 - 40 officials each day.

#3 I can carry them anywhere and they're not bulky.

#4 I don't own a laptop. Too bulky for my bag
and don't trust the thieves. Computers crash!

#5 I'm used to my "system".

#6 Storage is easier for me.

I was coaching my sons Basketball game, and an official said that I would make a better official than a coach. I figured I would give it a try!
I Love the excercise, frienships, and it has helped me in my everyday life with dealing with people(especially the difficult ones). Oh yeah....I also get the best seat in the house!

AK ref SE

Stripes:

You've got to go to one of the off-the-beaten-path creameries or cheese shops in Wisconsin. Some of the cheese is incredible!

Of course, there's also a famous cheese shop in western Wisconsin that features "Taxidermy and Cheese"! What a combination...

As Homer Simpson once said...."ohhhhh....cheese...."

Believe me, I am not disparaging the cheese makers in WI.

The kaasboers (literally "cheese farmers"), the guys who sell cheese in the markets have such a selection of wonderful cheeses that it is incredible. You can ask for the type and age of cheese that you want (young gouda) sample it and then adjust the age of the cheese to your taste (a little older, a little younger, etc.) so you get exactly what you want.

The cheeses here are fine, but they are not nearly as good those over there, IMO.

Here in Oregon, we have a place that is a combination taxidermy shop and veterinarian. In the window is a sign that reads, "Either way - you get your dog back."

BTW - we have a place here called Tillamook that makes a pretty mean cheddar.

I became an official so that I could stay in the game at the same levels I played. I guess that means -for the love of the game-
Pistol

Why I ref?
 

Because if it was easy, everyone would be doing it!

Larks - Softball Guy and Rookie Ref