New Official

[Z REF]

For HS, the key appears to be the size of the metropolitan area in which you reside. This is my 8th year. My first year was in the Dallas Metro area, and I was assigned several JV games at 5-A schools. Did I belong in those games? No way. I was horrible and I still feel bad for my partners that year. But it's simple supply and demand. The larger the area, the more games and more supply. Large metro areas (like Miami) usually experience a shortage of officials relative to the number of available games.

My second year I moved to Wichita KS (uggh) and found myself doing YMCA youth, bitty basketball and 6th grade catholic league stuff, which is probably where I belonged. I had to attend a camp the next summer to be "picked-up" by the JV assignor! Go figure. My third year I was in St. Louis MO, and was back to doing JV and some Varsity.

Colleges are different. Most have to attend a camp to get in. It is harder to establish yourself in lower college conferences if you constantly move, but it can be done. I am not the best official at any level, but I am adaptable, and willing to listen, and college supervisors are looking for folks who can call it the way that league wants and not your own brand. Good luck!