African American Officials in the NCAA Tourney

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

So we should base the number of officials of each rase on the break down of players who make the teams? This would only make sense if one of the requirements to be an official was to have played at the level you officiate.

I did not say we should do anything. We are not in the position to do anything.

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Camron's point is that it's hard to find a disparity that justifies aggressive action.

Wow, writing a letter is an "aggressive action." I hate to find out if someone actually talked to John directly.

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

And to answer Tomegun's point about there being plenty of African American (and other minorities) officials who are qualified and not working the Tourney;
I think we'd all concede that.

I would question, however, whether the breakdown of qualified officials who aren't getting their break is skewed towards minorities. IOW, how many quality white officials are not getting their break either.

Not necessarily. Then again none of us know the basis for people even raising the issue.

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Look, I'll admit I don't know the numbers here. It may very well be that there's a ceiling for minority officials. It may be that there is not. I don't know of any way to determine this except for statistics and percentages; but what do you compare it to?

If you compare it to the players, then the numbers are obviously inadequate; but I don't think that's fair.

Why is it not fair?

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

If you compare it to the general population, then the numbers seem to (at the top anyway) actually favor minorities.

First of all the general population argument is silly. For one if the product on the court dominates the game, you are saying that those that come from similar background should not be given a chance.

And Larry Rose is in a conference that I am sure that many white officials do not frequently attend his camp based on who the schools are. I am sure guys like Larry are seeing officials from all over the country or region that are just as good as others and likely is not seeing some level of fairness. Now he would know that much more than I would. I am not a supervisor of a D1 conference. And Larry Rose has been there and done that as an official.

Peace