Okay, sorry to shout, but this pent-up adrenalin is bouncing around inside and needs an outlet.

Howard -- YES, I"M HAVING FUN!!!

There's just no other word for it, than FUN. The crowded gym, the really experienced and capable table people, the introductions, two sets of cheerleaders, the noise, the yelling, the speed...

But the best moment was when the JV game finished, the JV guys are getting their stuff from under the table, I'm standing there and the varsity players are just starting their beginning lap. At this point I'm usually deciding whether to stay and watch a little, but this time, I just got goose bumps. I'M THE VARSITY GAL!

I handled everything fine, stayed in good position, relaxed and enjoyed it, called my game, and "heard the music". It was better than...
well, okay I won't go quite that far, but definitely worth all the work, the study, the sore muscles, the struggle.

I was at one of these multi-level marketing sales presentations one time (had no intention of signing up, but wanted to help out a friend) and the guy up front says, "How many of you wake up in the morning, and think, 'Wow, lucky me!! I get to go to work today!'?" I raised my hand, and then it hit me. Lucky me!! I get paid to do something that is good for me that I enjoy. How could it get any better?!?

Still up,ain't ya?:D

Congratulations,Juulie. First of many!

PS-They're easier when the players are more skilled,eh?

Yup, still up!! I suppose this high does wear off eventually?

I suppose.I'm still waiting,though.

Glad for you, Jewel !

Congrats!!
 

Awesome Rain!

Congratulations.

It does take a while to "wind down" after all of that, doesn't it :D

Way to go Juulie! About the time you start winding down from this one - you'll get another one and get wound back up!

We are happier than pigs in slop!
 

Glad you had a euphoric experience with your first Varsity game!

It is an awesome experience for sure... My heart started racing when they played the National Anthem.

You go girl!

I'm with you Juulie
 

The thrill of being in front of the crowd is euphoric - supercalifragilistic

My biggest let down when I started Varsity was that I could no longer set down after my game, eat a hot dog, drink a soda, and watch the ball game... I still miss that aspect but the varsity thrill has more than made up for it. It truly is a fun avocation.

Congratulations!

Which is why April is the cruelest month.

BTW, big congrats Juulie!

Congratulations Juulie!

I think that I have forgotten how exciting it is to get that first assignment. Thanks for reminding me.

Congrats, Juules. I know how long you've been waiting. Anything interesting happen during the game? Blarge, followed by BI by a player who then hung on the rim? :) Glad you enjoyed it!!

Chuck

The first varsity game is a blast! In fact, the next year, my first varsity schedule, was the most fun I've ever had!

Still hooked! ;)

1st Varsity game
 

Juulie,
Congratulations of your first 'big' game. Stay on that high because after you have that first really poorly played varsity game it will bring you back down to earth. It fun to know that you have made it !!!

Good Luck the rest of the season.

Nothing quite that interesting, but we did have one dicey moment. I was lead, and called an illegal screen off-ball on A1, who now had 8 fouls. The players and my partner all walked to the other end, while I reported. I then hustled on down to the other endline, thinking I should now be lead again (South end of the gym to North end). My partner, however, thought he should be lead. I should have just done what he said, but disagreed quietly for a moment, and then for another moment. Finally, I realized we were standing in the key arguing and I went up to trail. It took way too long. Which is too bad, because I just got dinged on an eval a few weeks ago for disagreeing too long with a partner. Anther lesson to learn.

After the euphoria started to wear off, I remembered something I had read or heard somewhere along the line, about "no long switches," but of course, I couldn't find my official's manual, or anything else that would confirm or correct my little thought fragment. What do all you vets do about long switches?

In Fed 2-whistle games and NCAA men's 3-whistle games, you should switch on fouls that occur in Team A's frontcourt when the ball will be awarded to Team B. As far as I know, only in NCAA men's 2-whistle games would you not make this "long switch".

However, in all of the above mechanics, I believe that you would switch if the foul results in FTs for Team B. If you and I have been working together Juulie, you would have become the Lead and administered the FTs in B's frontcourt.

Chuck

I switch on every foul, just like the NFHS manual says.

You were right, but you are also right about not making a big deal out of it.

How did A1 get 8 fouls, anyway? :)

Rich

There are a lot of people here who don't want to work varsity. They want the money from the JV game and the ability to get home.

I don't get it.

Going out on the court at 20:00, listening to a pep band playing, having introductions, a singing or playing of the anthem, a PA announcer....

By the start of the game I'm kinda wound up, even though my first varsity game was over a decade ago. The game itself is almost a letdown :)

Congrats Juulie. There'll be plenty more, and I hope they're all as exciting as your first. I mean, wait until you whack your first varsity coach :)

Rich

For me, a JV game is the least money, unless I also have the Frosh game before it, or the boys' JV game,also. The traffic is the worst trying to get to JV, so I have the most driving time which translates into the most babysitting money. I can't imagine wanting to hold onto that when I could be having so much more fun, like I did last night, and paying less in babysitting, and still getting home to tuck the kids into bed.

Chuck,
In Fed 3-whistle and in Women 3-whistle there are no long switches.
Sometimes we do not switch in Fed 2-whistle, particularly if the lead is way down court. We just point and stay.
mick

Too bad you're not doing any rec games for me this Saturday. However, I'm sure I could squeeze in a couple of 3rd and 4th grade girls game for you if you really want to return to reality.

Congratulations Rainmaker!!! I remember my first varsity game and I was quite frankly, NERVOUS. Standing there with sweaty palms and butteflies in the stomach and then the tip-off and away we go. Great feeling. Hope you get a ton more of these games.

Although this seems unbelievable, my first varsity game was the 4th game I ever officiated. I thought I knew it all so I didn't realize how nervous I should've been. Luckily for me it was a girls varsity tournament championship game. Both teams were very skilled and as such nothing truly out of the ordinary occurred. I was also lucky enough to work with two other experienced officials so I felt that there was strength in numbers.

Strangely enough, I get more nervous energy now for a varsity game than I did then...maybe because I realize the stakes and how lucky I am to be there.

Congrats rainmaker...

Dave

Decided to let him stay in the game a bit longer because it was your first time doing varsity? :D