USA Today article about sports officials.

[Rich]

I'd quit right away.

I've talked to guys this season who don't ever want to work varsity -- they like being able to be home by 8PM.

I even talked to an AD who offered me (on top of 4 varsity games for next season) a slate of JV games. She said I could turn them back, since she knows that varsity "pays more."

Both miss the point, as far as I'm concerned.

I don't get a band at JV games. I don't get the atmosphere, the insane crowds, the anthem, the introductions, the announcing over the PA, the level of play, the (sometimes) level of coaching. I enjoy watching the JV game and having the time to mentally prepare before I take the court.

My wife stopped coming to as many games because the crowds would berate her husband during the game. When she asked me about it, I sincerely told her I didn't hear it. And I don't. I hear the coaches, but that's by choice

I also get home at 11:00 some nights, but that's OK.

I do get more money, but that's not why I do it. It is nice that I don't visit an ATM during the season, but that's not the reason I do this.

My high school season is coming to an end. I'll not be eligible for playoffs for four years because my current state doesn't recognize my previous experience in other states and is forcing me to start at the bottom of the food chain. Oh well, not anything I can do about that.

Rich