Worst luck ever

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by representing

DAMN EXPECTED SNOWSTORM BETTER SHOW UP!

Here in NVA/DC (home to exceptional weathermen) we're getting very chilly RAIN. All schools closed and night activities cancelled.

I lost two (FB/JVB).

[representing]

$200 is a lot to me right now. I just turned 26 last week, I can't get a damn job because of this economy the way it is, and I got a bunch of credit card bills and student loans to pay. I'm not saying I'm in this job just for the money, but it does help to make money when you do a service. I need this money.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by representing

$200 is a lot to me right now. I just turned 26 last week, I can't get a damn job because of this economy the way it is, and I got a bunch of credit card bills and student loans to pay. I'm not saying I'm in this job just for the money, but it does help to make money when you do a service. I need this money.

The nature of the "job" is while you make decent money for your time, there is inherent risk that you'll have this happen.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by representing

Three games in a row on my schedule got cancelled/postponed.

Friday, Boys JV for $52. Cancelled. Home team lost some players due to injury, education suspension, etc.

Monday, Girls JV for $52. Cancelled. Visiting team lost some players due to injury, education suspension, etc.

Today, Girls Freshmen/JV Doubleheader for $92. Postponed. DAMN EXPECTED SNOWSTORM BETTER SHOW UP!

This is about $200 I missed out on in 5 days. I really do have the worst luck ever. And the worst part is the two JV games won't be made up because the Varsity games played on, and the FR/JV doubleheader was postponed to a day I'm already officiating.

Anyone else feel like we should still be compensated at least half of the referee fee for games cancelled due to reasons other than weather or other major problems like electricity went out, flooding in school because of a plumbing problem, etc.? This really pisses me off that I missed out on $200 in 5 days.

Maybe you should be more concerned about the game and about the players rather than your pocket. It sounds as if you do it for the money.

[CMHCoachNRef]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

Maybe you should be more concerned about the game and about the players rather than your pocket. It sounds as if you do it for the money.

In fairness, Juggling, I think that a very high percentage of those under 30 rate the pay as a top consideration for officiating. I can tell you my two sons -- 15 and 16 -- place pay at the TOP of the list as far as reasons to referee. Are there other reasons? Yes, there are. For the younger ones, the money is very important. It is easy for many of us making good incomes from our "day jobs" to look down on those in less fortunate situations.

Experience may cause Representing to view this situation differently five years from now. For now, this is a big deal, perhaps, for him.

A young guy blowing off some steam about something that could have gone better. We have all encountered coaches in the same position. The best we can do is attempt to understand their position, articulate as best we can the way things are, help them understand why things are the way they are, and hope that information can be applied moving forward.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by CMHCoachNRef

In fairness, Juggling, I think that a very high percentage of those under 30 rate the pay as a top consideration for officiating. I can tell you my two sons -- 15 and 16 -- place pay at the TOP of the list as far as reasons to referee. Are there other reasons? Yes, there are. For the younger ones, the money is very important. It is easy for many of us making good incomes from our "day jobs" to look down on those in less fortunate situations.

Experience may cause Representing to view this situation differently five years from now. For now, this is a big deal, perhaps, for him.

A young guy blowing off some steam about something that could have gone better. We have all encountered coaches in the same position. The best we can do is attempt to understand their position, articulate as best we can the way things are, help them understand why things are the way they are, and hope that information can be applied moving forward.

+1 Well said.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by CMHCoachNRef

In fairness, Juggling, I think that a very high percentage of those under 30 rate the pay as a top consideration for officiating. I can tell you my two sons -- 15 and 16 -- place pay at the TOP of the list as far as reasons to referee. Are there other reasons? Yes, there are. For the younger ones, the money is very important. It is easy for many of us making good incomes from our "day jobs" to look down on those in less fortunate situations.

Experience may cause Representing to view this situation differently five years from now. For now, this is a big deal, perhaps, for him.

A young guy blowing off some steam about something that could have gone better. We have all encountered coaches in the same position. The best we can do is attempt to understand their position, articulate as best we can the way things are, help them understand why things are the way they are, and hope that information can be applied moving forward.

I can dig that. I was once "under 30".

Though I do hope that he also missed the opportunity to work in a great avocation.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

Maybe you should be more concerned about the game and about the players rather than your pocket. It sounds as if you do it for the money.

Reminds me of something my father said about my chosen line of work (teaching): he said I had taken a "vow of poverty." I respectfully corrected him by pointing out that I chose my work because I love it, and would keep my job even if it paid a lot more.

I would say the same about officiating: I don't do it for the money, I do it because I love it. My primary motivation doesn't require me to return the money, and doesn't make me a hypocrite for keeping it.

The fact, if it is a fact, that many younger officials value the money more than some older officials probably says more about the marginal utility of money than about the officials.

[chartrusepengui]

I don't do this for the money either - I just love doing it which is why I've kept with it so many years. My daughter started doing it for the money. She played in HS and loved it. When she went to college she found she could work at a fast food place or a store and make minimum wage. She asked what games paid and I told her. She asked me to help her get "into" it and I did. She still works the lower level but has done a few JV games. She does a lot of the weekend tournment games. She likes doing it but will also admit a large part of her motivation is that she can make as much in an hour than she would in 5-6 hours somewhere else and has more time to study. It's how she is paying for books etc.