The Road to Become a College Official

[doubleringer]

If you are brand new, here is what I would say. Work hard being the best official you can be at the level you work. Don't get in too much of a hurry to climb the chain. Go to camp, listen, don't say, "yes, but". Stay in shape, wear the uniform well. Treat everyone you run across with respect. Work on being a good partner. Find a good mentor, hopefully someone who has made it to the level you want to make. I would also say that early on, it isn't as much of a big deal to make a decision on men's and women's. Learn about both before you make a decision. Personally, I was all gung ho about the men's side in my early years, but I've changed my perspective and am extremely happy working women's. It just suits me more as an official. There's my $.02.

[GoodwillRef]

Originally Posted by doubleringer

If you are brand new, here is what I would say. Work hard being the best official you can be at the level you work. Don't get in too much of a hurry to climb the chain. Go to camp, listen, don't say, "yes, but". Stay in shape, wear the uniform well. Treat everyone you run across with respect. Work on being a good partner. Find a good mentor, hopefully someone who has made it to the level you want to make. I would also say that early on, it isn't as much of a big deal to make a decision on men's and women's. Learn about both before you make a decision. Personally, I was all gung ho about the men's side in my early years, but I've changed my perspective and am extremely happy working women's. It just suits me more as an official. There's my $.02.

I agree with most of what you said, but you will have to decide men’s or women’s early since these are different camps with different mechanics and philosophies. So many officials who don't even work good varsity schedule want to work college games. The lessons you learn on your way up the ladder will benefit you when you reach the top rungs. I was in my 10th year of varsity ball before I went to a college camp. I see so many people that get hired to early and they are done within 3 years.

[Raymond]

When you find a college mentor see if you can tag along and work pre-season college scrimmages, especially the less formal intra-squad scrimmages. I was working college scrimmages years before I got picked up by college conferences. It exposed me to the speed, strength, and athleticism of the players at that level.

I believe without a doubt working all those years of college scrimmages helped me make it to the NCAA ranks.

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by tref

Must be nice!

Used to be nicer. When I got hired for my local association, there wasn't even a try-out. I filled out an application and had to get recommendations from 3 then-current NCAA officials. I got accepted on my first try, too. Must have gotten the right people to do the recommendations.

[CDurham]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

Where do you live?

South Carolina

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by CDurham

South Carolina

Then you would need to take the camp route in that part of the country. There is a lot of D-2 ball down that way (CIAA/SIAC/SAC-8/Carolinas/Peachbelt) but I don't know what you have in the way of D3's. If you want to get a taste of the camp atmosphere for JuCo and D2/3 ball look into going to one of JB Caldwell's camps in Florida. Also, Joe Forte is always looking to fill up his camps.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

I believe without a doubt working all those years of college scrimmages helped me make it to the NCAA ranks.

Yup. You have to be more than a face in the crowd. You have to be recognizable.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

When I got hired for my local association, there wasn't even a try-out. I filled out an application and had to get recommendations from 3 then-current NCAA officials. I got accepted on my first try, too. Must have gotten the right people to do the recommendations.

Could have been an Equal Opportunity hire. They mighta been a little short on their quota that week.

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

Could have been an Equal Opportunity hire. They mighta been a little short on their quota that week.

I'm going to assume that comment went over his head.

(Ahh...just like old times.)

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

I'm going to assume that comment went over his head.

(Ahh...just like old times.)

Yup, we're back to playing that old board game "Dump On The Dwarf".