# of games

[PIAA REF]

Boys Varisty: 9
Girls Varsity: 3
College Womens: 5

[Rich]

Originally Posted by GoodwillRef

I live in SE WI and we have about 150-200 high Schools with an hours drive of my house. We do not have boys/girls varsity DH on a regular basis.

It would be great if we did. We could work both games with 3-person crews and the gyms would always be packed. When I lived in TN, we played the GV at 6:15PM and the BV right afterwards (usually jumping between 7:45PM and 8PM).

Of course back then (1995) we only got $60 for working both games 2-person (total). I'd do it today 3-person for $100 or so.

[Corndog89]

I haven't counted the # of games last year vs this year, but it must be fewer this year...my Decemeber 2009 pay was exactly 1 penny more than my December 2010 pay

[Kelvin green]

I work in the same association and I think that 14 games so far given the way the games are assigned is about normal. One preseason week I had 4 games, but most weeks I average 2-3 a week... Since most games are Tuesdays and Fridays there are limited opportunities to do more than 2 per week...

Dont know who your friend is but my advice is that those who complain the loudest about their schedule have more issues in getting games. If there is truly an issue with schedule it may take an honest heart to heart talk with the chapter president and get an honest scoop.

[Clark Kent]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

I believe that there are several factors to consider here.
Off the top of my head here are some:
1. What is the availability and travel radius of the official?
2. Does the association work both boys and girls games?
3. Does the local area play girls at one site and boys at another or mix the games in the same gym?
4. Does the area use 2 or 3 officials for games?
5. Is this a large area with several games on certain nights and many games during a week or small area with relatively few games?
6. How many officials are there in the area?
7. What is the official's rating within his area compared to others?
8. What is the philosophy of the assignor? Spread the games around or work the top guys to death?

Given all of these differences from one place to another, I doubt that giving a raw game count would be helpful to anyone in particular.

Actually it is very helpful to myself. I realize there are many factors to take into account but amongst other things it satiates my curiosity.

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

Actually it is very helpful to myself. I realize there are many factors to take into account but amongst other things it satiates my curiosity.

In that case I'll be happy to provide mine for you.

November 2010
MS - 4
JC - 2
HS BV - 2
HS GV - 0
HS subV - 1

December 2010
JC - 2
HS BV - 17
HS GV - 3
HS subV - 6

Two month total = 37

[ref2coach]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

It would be great if we did. We could work both games with 3-person crews and the gyms would always be packed. When I lived in TN, we played the GV at 6:15PM and the BV right afterwards (usually jumping between 7:45PM and 8PM).

Of course back then (1995) we only got $60 for working both games 2-person (total). I'd do it today 3-person for $100 or so.

I would love to do it for $100 or so. TSSAA sets the fees the schools pay for varsity contests. $80 for GV/BV double header. TN board of regents passed a $5 increase in the Summer, first increase in 7 years then took it back away the week before schools started.

[zm1283]

Originally Posted by ref2coach

I would love to do it for $100 or so. TSSAA sets the fees the schools pay for varsity contests. $80 for GV/BV double header. TN board of regents passed a $5 increase in the Summer, first increase in 7 years then took it back away the week before schools started.

You only get $80 for a varsity doubleheader? We make $110 for a varsity DH and $100 for a JV/V DH.

[ref2coach]

Originally Posted by zm1283

You only get $80 for a varsity doubleheader? We make $110 for a varsity DH and $100 for a JV/V DH.

And to rub salt into the wound, no mileage pay. The association covers a large geographic area. I had a game a couple of weeks ago that was a 2 Hr and 20 Min. drive.

[CMHCoachNRef]

Originally Posted by ref2coach

I would love to do it for $100 or so. TSSAA sets the fees the schools pay for varsity contests. $80 for GV/BV double header. TN board of regents passed a $5 increase in the Summer, first increase in 7 years then took it back away the week before schools started.

This is a simple case of the law of supply and demand. None of the officials is required to take any particular assignment -- assuming all are independent contractors as opposed to employees.

Therefore, the BoR can set the fee they will pay at anything they like. It doesn't mean that ANYONE has to take those games! If $80 is not reasonable, then officials can pass on the HS games and do something else. On the other hand, so long as officials are accepting the games, $80 is the going rate.

It takes two to create a contract.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by CMHCoachNRef

This is a simple case of the law of supply and demand. None of the officials is required to take any particular assignment -- assuming all are independent contractors as opposed to employees.

Therefore, the BoR can set the fee they will pay at anything they like. It doesn't mean that ANYONE has to take those games! If $80 is not reasonable, then officials can pass on the HS games and do something else. On the other hand, so long as officials are accepting the games, $80 is the going rate.

It takes two to create a contract.

The problem is with the state setting the rates and associations locking in agreements with the TSSAA and with the schools. Your association doesn't *have* to service that school 2+ hours away -- at some point someone decided to.

$80 for 2 games? Things haven't changed in Tennessee. I bet they pay more now for 1 varsity football game. A shame.

[biggravy]

Kansas sucks for the fact that schools are limited to 20 games not counting postseason. All of mine are GV/BV doubleheaders and thus far I have worked 5 nights for a total of 10 games. Have 10 more or so nights scheduled so looking at 30 games when the season ends.

Contrast this to when I was in Arkansas/Memphis area: Arkansas small schools started BBall in October if they didn't have football. It was split JH/HS V doubleheaders, almost all three whistle, with girls on M/Th and boys on T/Fr. It was not unusual to do over 100 games in a season, not counting any weekend or wreck ball. I miss it.

[RobbyinTN]

I guess I look at it differently. I do this as a hobby and not a source of income. As long as my fees pays my expenses (always does plus some left over) I don't complain. I don't have a problem with what TSSAA pays - although MS is actually a better deal if you are strictly talking pay because you get $65 for a DH and usually the games are within 10-15 minutes of you house as opposed to a HS that you may have to travel a hour or more one way.

I figure when I get to the point where I don't think it is worth it, I will quit. But how many hobbies actually pay you to participate? All my other hobbies seem to always be costing me lot of $$

By the way I average 4-6 games a week from the beginning of the season until the end of it so I work all I want to work.

Robby

[Welpe]

This has been quite the interesting season for me so far...

November:

Jr High: 6
Soph: 1

December:

Jr High: 3
Frosh: 2
Soph: 1
JV: 3

Won't work my next game until Jan. 28th. I'll be surprised if I clear 30 games this year.

[ref2coach]

Originally Posted by CMHCoachNRef

This is a simple case of the law of supply and demand. None of the officials is required to take any particular assignment -- assuming all are independent contractors as opposed to employees.

Therefore, the BoR can set the fee they will pay at anything they like. It doesn't mean that ANYONE has to take those games! If $80 is not reasonable, then officials can pass on the HS games and do something else. On the other hand, so long as officials are accepting the games, $80 is the going rate.

It takes two to create a contract.

Have you ever heard of a "unilateral contract"? A unilateral contract is where one party has all the power. They are illegal in insurance and some other industries.

TSSAA requires referees belong to a local association, require the schools to use an association to supply referees, assign +/or approve the schools serviced by each association. TSSAA appoints the assigning officer and supervisor of each association.

Any referee who turns down a game that was assigned on an unblocked date in our association has 3 other assignments removed. So no, short of not refereeing High School at all there is no "two parties to a contract" freedom in TN.

In the past a significant portion of an association attempted to start a new association to advocate for better pay and mileage compensation. TSSAA simply refused to sanction their elected assignor and supervisor and reminded the schools that if they used referees from an unsanctioned association that they would have to forfeit their games.

Would I rather get paid $80 and get some exercise and enjoy being around the game? Yes I would. Is there any sibilance of "independent contract" or free market principle in the "unilateral" nature of TSSAA policies? NO.