ESPN OTL on Officials

[amusedofficial]

Unfortunately, people who meet Adams description are usually playing until they are 22 years old and it takes them a few years beyond that to get certified/licensed/patched or whatever you call it in your neck of this Great Land of Ours.

Most organizations do the initial book training in the fall, when college hoop players are starting practice and going to school and have no time for it. Plus, the local chapter is often in a location that students without cars have a tough time getting to

Why not hold some initial training in the summer for college athletes interested in reffing after their graduation? They could then work as accredited officials in spring and summer leagues and AAU and gain experience.

It would shave years off making them ready for NCAA (or even high school varsity) games which they could then start to do while still in very good shape.

Unfortunately, many accrediting/licensing/patching groups don't really want a lot of young, athletic officials, with experience tempered by actually playing the game at a high level, for those plum varsity and state tourney games, so aren't going to make it easier any time soon.