Youngest Official You Have Worked With or Seen

[btaylor64]

Originally Posted by NCHSAA

I just turned 20 and find it hard (maybe more weird) to officiate Varsity and Div. II ball under what you described (composure, wisdom, ect.) Not to say that I don't convey those qualities, but to convey them consistently is what I find difficult. The whole place notices when someone my age walks onto the court and to me it feels as if I have to perform at a higher level with being the "odd one out" and youngest. Its hard to talk on the subject in my association since I have the next to youngest beat by 8 - 9 years, so I thought I would bring it up here. Does anyone view this the same or offer any tips?

This to me falls right under "It is what it is" I was in that position just about a couple of years ago. It really is just a matter of experience, coaches seeing you time and time again and going out there and reffing your game consistently. It is about "buy in". It just takes time for coaches to buy in to what you are selling. Stay confident, but not cocky (tough line to walk) and approachable but still stern (know when to draw the line w/ coaches and players) and you will gain your respect eventually...

[26 Year Gap]

spammers are off to an early start tonight. wonder if they'll get paid OT.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

On Thursday, December 13, 2007, I officiated a girls' Jr. H.S. (7th grade and 8th grade) DH with a young lad who was only 17 years, 9 months, and 17 days old (he was officiating his very the first basketball games of his career). And his name is Mark Thomas DeNucci, Jr., . And boy did I feel old and I still feel old, LOL.

MTD, Sr.

[just another ref]

A while back at the end of the night at our local rec league, I found myself alone, with one 11-12 year old game to go. I scanned the stands, asking for a volunteer to help. None appeared. My son, age 10, was present, having played in his own game earlier. I tossed him my extra whistle, and he joined me on the court.

[CaRef5]

youngest official i've worked with was um 13 i think (it was my buddy) we both started at that age, working kids a year younger than we were.

I kept going and now am working college mens/juCo d3,d2 ball.

21 btw

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by CaRef5

youngest official i've worked with was um 13 i think (it was my buddy) we both started at that age, working kids a year younger than we were.

I kept going and now am working college mens/juCo d3,d2 ball.

21 btw

Slackard. With that early of a start and being in California, you should have been doing D1 ball by 19.

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

Slackard. With that early of a start and being in California, you should have been doing D1 ball by 19.

Maybe he's just Cal and not SoCal!

[MD Longhorn]

I was umpiring baseball at 14. First got real training at officiating, though, and became a REAL official, at 22.

[Mark Padgett]

Years ago, a buddy of mine who is a referee asked me if I would work with him at a "charity" game. The Portland Trailblazers had an alumni team (retired players) that would play against amateur teams to benefit non-profits. My buddy was a teacher at the local HS and they were having a game to raise money for the school athletic fund. Of course, our time was donated. I told him I would and brought along my oldest grandson, who was 11 at the time, to "shadow" me out on the court. I gave him a shirt and a whistle.

Understand these games are called in much the same manner as a Globetrotter game. The purpose of the game is just to entertain the fans and for everyone to have a good time. The Blazer alumni were playing a team of gym teachers and a few other teachers from the HS. Obviously it wasn't a "real" game and the Blazers made it a lot of fun. Sometimes they would steal the ball and then just hand it back to the other player and give a big bow. A few times they pretended to be confused and scored into the wrong basket, etc.

My grandson had a blast. He "mirrored" my calls. The players on both teams got a big kick out of having him out there. I knew a few of the Blazer players and during a timeout, I had my grandson go over to their huddle and give a T to Michael Harper, who I knew. Everyone in the gym just cracked up.

No doubt about it, it was the most fun I ever had as an official. Oh yeah - they raised about $3000.

[CaRef5]

@ MPadgett that's awesome! 11 years tops me big time! Hopefully the little guy keeps it up!

And I would be working Division 1, except for the whole college thing (which I'm graduating this semester btw!).

The thing I had to improve in "my game" was definitely communicating and making sure I had that credibility as soon as a coach had a "question." Hell, I'm still working on this! Hope it helps @NCHSAA

[APG]

I first started officiating rec ball when I was 18 and joined the local association and did Jr. High and high school when I was 20. Did my first small varsity game when I was 20. For the most part, I'm the young guy on the crew. I don't bring it up because to me it's a nonstarter.

[ref2coach]

My Son and His best friend took the new soccer referee training class when He was 9. Refereed his first u6 game the next weekend after his 10th Birthday. A few weeks later the 3 of us worked adult recreation game. He recently turned 21. Last night was working a HS District semi-final.

He also worked Rec. Basketball for 3 winters but dropped it says BB is not enough exercise.

[Mechanicsman]

I am 16 now. Last season I worked junior high games at 15. I have always been the youngest that I have seen, but I have encountered one 18yro.

[grunewar]

I've got to admit, I envy you guys that are starting out very young. I hope you enjoy it, become good at it (if you're not already), and keep at it.

I regret not starting sooner, but my career and family situation (coach rob) wouldn't allow me to start until my kids were grown. Hopefully, my jealth will permit me to continue for many yrs to come.

PS - Oldest I've seen is 69 yr old. I was on the court with him two yrs ago when a VG player fell into him on the endline and blew out his knee. Saw him doing a VG scrimmage last yr - he doesn't get up and down the court too well anymore, but knows the rules and can still manage a game (NCAA bound?).

[Jay R]

I only started officiating basketball in my thirties but my first officiating experience was when I was 16. I was umpiring in a local rec softball league. In one of my first games, The shortstop on one team was my high school phys ed teacher and he was a legend in my hometown. He had played minor pro hockey and he had been a tremendous baseball player growing up. To say the least, I was intimidated by him. There was a close play at second and "local legend" gets on my case. It gets quite heated and I threaten to throw him out if he doesn't calm down. All I could think of is that people probably noticed that I was shaking in my boots trying to stand up to a huge man in his thirties. After the game, many people came over and congratulated me for how I handled the situation. It gave me confidance to continue because there was nobody more intimidating in that league than him. My three years of umpiring as a teenager was one of the reasons I decided to come back to officiating in my thirties. Now I work basketball and baseball.