Rookie Schedule

[Texas Aggie]

why do you think there are so many not coming back

I can only talk about what I'm seeing:

1. The abuse has gotten worse from the fans and stayed the same from the coaches. Texas UIL gives lip service about sanctions against coaches but in my experience, unless they are ejected, there isn't a penalty. Ejections are rare and the officials are scrutinized heavily -- plus first year folks generally don't have the stones to run anyone.

2. Many large chapters are forced to put 2 first year officials in a jr. high game. These games are often as heated as any rivalry varsity contest and 2 first years can't handle it.

3. Large chapters see many, if not the majority of the time, blow out games with 40 or 50 foul calls. If its not that, then its urban jungle or street ball with little offense or defense being played. These games are not fun and wear down anyone. At the end of the year, there is a strong feeling that one can find something better to do.

4. The physical play has changed the game and made it much more difficult to learn to officiate. One guy in the meeting says "if someone hits the floor, there needs to be a foul called." Another person giving a new guy a critique says, "you're calling too many fouls." Then, they watch us work with mixed results and a very mixed message. While it was never an a+b=c formula, its made the learning curve more difficult.