Should I Switch?

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by slow whistle

Maybe slightly off topic, but anybody ever run into the situation where you show up early for the varsity game, only to find that there is one official about to start the soph game? Do you jump in or no? The only reason I ask is that I have done this on two occassions and on both occassions I am positive that I got more grief from the varsity coaches during their games b/c they assumed I was a "Soph" official filling in for one of the varsity officials who did not show - which incidentally has also happened where we picked up a soph official to do the varsity game and it has been a good experience -the fact that someone is working a soph game does not on it's own make them a lesser official for a variety of reasons...but I digress...so do you make it a point to tell the coaches that you are filling in and that you are really there for the varsity game?

I'm glad you said that. I'm working a Soph game on Thursday. You just saved me a bunch of grief wondering if I was going to turn into a rookie all over again once I stepped on the floor!

As for telling the coaches. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Why tell them? Perception. I'd rather them not believe I was a slacker who got to the sophomore game in the 2nd quarter. I'd rather be known for my own screwups than for mine plus someone else's. I just tell them that I was not assigned this game but was here so I'm filling in....no reference to the varisty game needed.

I also tell the administrator so they know that their varsity crew is already there. That is so they don't worry that no officials have arrived for the varsity game when game time is getting close.