The Road to Become a College Official

[GoodwillRef]

You may have to go to camps again and again even after you have been hired to work. I am in my 5th year working NCAAW D1 and I have been to my supervisors camp every year after being hired in D1 (7 years total)! You must be willing to take very pointed feedback from clinicians, this is nothing less than a job interview.

If you choose the women's side make sure you go in with the right attitude and not with the attitude that it is a step down from the mens side or it is a stepping stone to mens college ball, it is not!

[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.

[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.