MTD, Jr.'s First Varsity Game.
 

Well ladies and germs (I mean gentlemen) I am going to be on pins and needles the rest of the week. MTD, Jr., received his first varsity assignment of his career earlier this afternoon. He recevied the assignment when another official bowed out of a boys' H.S. varsity game this coming Friday night. It is a MichiganHSAA game a league game between to Class D schools (Class D is equivalent to OhioHSAA Divison IV). He will be the umpire. I don't if I will be able to sit in the stands for the whole game. I know that I will find myself living and dieing with every call that he makes. I am so excited. I feel like a little kid on Christmas morning. :D

MTD, Sr.

Congrats and don't violate the first rule EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT CALLING THE GAME.

congrats, thats pretty darn cool. did my first two varsity games ever a couple of weeks ago. during pre-game, my partners asked me what my 3 goals were...(we try and pick 3 things per game to work on) i said,

1- stay in my primary
2- no anticipation
3- don't vomit on the floor

2 outta 3 ain't bad!

Best Official In The Family ???
 

Why not get Mark T. DeNucci, Jr. to join the Forum? It would be great to get some intelligent posts from a DeNucci for a change.

Ouch, that's gotta hurt. No smiley either.

Has to be a rim shot considering the sport.

I'm left wondering if there's a Mac Jr.

Maz'l tov to the both of you. Bring your camera. Tell Jr. 'Break a leg' and act like he belongs. U? 2 whistle at that level?

We do some Division 1 (big) schools 2-person in Wisconsin. If you don't have to deal with that, consider yourself lucky.

Apparently small schools in MI (at least that part) are also using 2-person crews.

This league use to use three-man but cut back because of money and even shaved a couple of dollars off the game fee as well.

MTD, Sr.

Gee, I hope the schools did something worth while with the extra $500.

I'm sure they'll get their full measure from Jr. Naturally, we'll be expecting a blow-by-blow, including videos. Can't wait..

Congratulations!
Video the game if possible, it would be fun later watching it with him and pointing out his many positives and few negatives.

For some reason, the officials are at the top of the list of "costs to be managed." Even as the schools buy new uniforms, etc.

Mike, it's great to see the excitement in your post. There's no doubt you're proud of your son and I'm sure he looks up to you.

Congrats and good luck to your son. (from a fan of Michigan Class D basketball.)

Mark, I am envious of you. My son started officiating this year and because I am working in another state, I have not been able to see him. It really bothers me because I always enjoyed being there when he played ball and miss not being there now. Treasure these times while you can. Good luck to both of you as he moves on!

Same problem here. Schools save exactly 700/year by going from 3 to 2. It's rediculous. Then we get to hear coaches complain non-stop about us and the fact there is not 3.

It would cost $1320 here -- 22 home games (11 boys, 11 girls at $60 per official). If they cut the pay back to $50 per official 3-person, it would cost them only $660 more per season.

They could raise their admission costs by 25¢ and pay for the third official. Or raise the price of a coke or popcorn by 25¢. But they'd rather take that and buy new uniforms, new basketballs, etc. and then cry poverty.

Of course all the schools had the $60 a week to pay for a back judge in football about 10 years ago and also find money for a fifth official in a lot of the subvarsity football we work.

In most areas, there are two sports that bring in revenue--football and boys basketball--that exceeds the cost. That should be taken into consideration. But, it often isn't.