coach addressing ref by first name

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

You'll find that many of us prefer when coaches use their first name and will always use theirs, too. Others feel differently.

For HS games put me in the "differently" category. The reason being that none of the coaches know me personally. I was brought to this community by the military, I didn't grow up here, didn't attend school with any of the coaches, and none served in the military with me.

There is only one coach who I wouldn't mind calling me by my first name and that's because when he sees me away from games he greets me by my first name and he engages me in cordial conversation. No other coach around here does that.

[Adam]

I don't mind first names. JR is right, though, you're taking too much. And frankly, I take less in middle school than in high school. Ask him much sooner what his question is.

[rockyroad]

I try not to use a coach's first name during the game - it's always "Coach" or "Coach Smith". But I have no problem with them using my first name...as Mick said, it gets my attention. With all of the "Hey Ref" stuff coming from the stands, I want the coach to be able to get my attention when they need to. It's what comes after the name that matters - in other words, if they say "Hey DJ, give me a 30 second time-out." we are fine. If they say "Hey DJ, you suck tonight." then we have a problem!

The other thing that will happen as you become more "well-known" in an area is that table crews will begin to know your name also. At least at schools where the clock operator, scorekeeper, etc.. are the same people all the time. It really isn't that big of a deal.

[beachbum]

Concerning the sex thing, I've always made my wife call me MR.

[PIAA REF]

I kinda agree with Snack and JR. But with this issue I may be a middle of the road type of guy. They can say hey Steve didn't he get bumped I have no problem but when it becomes an ongoing berating of my name then I have an issue. And to go back to this thread and threads of the past Coaches will respect you more for doing what is right ALL THE TIME. If they are deserving of a T give them one don't worry about getting scratched or whatever the case may be. One thing that frustrates me as I watch the JV games that precedes my game is some younger officials that allow coaches to walk all over them. Stand up to them, once you do you will gain respect. BUT there is a fine line. When I say stand up to them you need to do so in a professional manner. The other thing that I see is we have officials that have this big EGO trip as soon as they put the shirt and whistle on. If you want to be respected as an official you need to give respect to coaches. Answer their questions when they can be answered. A read an article that was written by a NCAA ref and it made a good point when talking to coaches. It's ok to allow coaches to have the last word every now and again. Because as officials we have the final word.

[MCJB Ump]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

And frankly, I take less in middle school than in high school. Ask him much sooner what his question is.

The lower the age group the worse the coaches are in regards to chirping about calls.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by MCJB Ump

The lower the age group the worse the coaches are in regards to chirping about calls.

Which is why you nip it early and stop it.

[Texas Aggie]

I have several coaches address me by my first name. I don't have any problem with it. If they know me that well, they know using my name won't get them anything special.

Coaches are generally very good about remembering names.

[deecee]

Its not a big deal. Calling me by my first name doesn't grant them any special privledges, and if the opposing coach thinks otherwise then who cares. We certainly dont care to much about coaches opinions about our calls and the job we have to do, why should we start thinking different here.

[Kelvin green]

Here is my question

when you introduce yourselves to the coach what do you say I'm Mr Green or I'm Kelvin? (your names of course) We intorduce ourselves by full name or by first name..

Its not the name that matters it is how they use it... If you have reffed for coaches a lot, you know their names too..

I have no problem (if they arent being idiots and disrespectful) to say things like

Hey Kelvin watch the illegal screen next time down, or Kelvin give me a timeout... Its where they are being dinks and I dont care if they call be by first name or Mr President they wont get away with the garbage stuff.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Kelvin green

Here is my question

when you introduce yourselves to the coach what do you say I'm Mr Green or I'm Kelvin? (your names of course) We intorduce ourselves by full name or by first name..

Its not the name that matters it is how they use it... If you have reffed for coaches a lot, you know their names too..

I have no problem (if they arent being idiots and disrespectful) to say things like

Hey Kelvin watch the illegal screen next time down, or Kelvin give me a timeout... Its where they are being dinks and I dont care if they call be by first name or Mr President they wont get away with the garbage stuff.

Yep.

Peace

[HawkeyeCubP]

From my limited college experience, I've found that about half of the coaches prefer to use first names of the officials. I don't have a problem with it, but like many others here, I always refer to them as "coach" in return. I'm actually impressed when they can remember the first names of their three officials for that night - although seeing long-time veterans over the course of a regional coaching career makes it easier, I'm sure.

Half the time I can't even remember who the visiting team is going to be before I walk onto the court, or what the final score was as soon as I leave the confines.

And not to make any uninformed personal judgments or anything, but your long-time friend's an a$$.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by HawkeyeCubP

... I'm actually impressed when they can remember the first names of their three officials for that night - although seeing long-time veterans over the course of a regional coaching career makes it easier, I'm sure.
...

They have an assistant whose job is to find out the names of the officials and write them down for the H/C so he can call out your name during the game.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

For HS games put me in the "differently" category. The reason being that none of the coaches know me personally. I was brought to this community by the military, I didn't grow up here, didn't attend school with any of the coaches, and none served in the military with me.

There is only one coach who I wouldn't mind calling me by my first name and that's because when he sees me away from games he greets me by my first name and he engages me in cordial conversation. No other coach around here does that.

I am not from my area, either. Makes no difference. I would no sooner insist upon a player referring to me other than as "Rich," let alone a coach.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I am not from my area, either. Makes no difference. I would no sooner insist upon a player referring to me other than as "Rich," let alone a coach.

Definitely wouldn't have high school or college players address me by my first name. But that has nothing to do with officiating. I don't let my children address adults by first name unless there is a 'Mr.' or 'Miss' in front of it. And I expect the same respect from their friends when they address me. All my teenage son's friends address me as Mr. 'LastName'. My 10 year-old's friends usually go with Mr. 'FirstName'.