I know there are some people on the board from Minnesota, so I wanted to ask any of them if they have ever officiatede a Gustavus Adolphus women's game??? Had them this past weekend, and their coach never complained or questioned a single call!!! As a matter of fact, when her team was shooting free throws and I was T, she walked up to me and said - I swear to goodness - "Excuse me sir. If she makes this shot, may I have a time-out please?"

I just about fainted right there...

Too bad all coaches can't be like her...

Too bad they lost also...

Anyone else have her, and if so, is she always like that???

Just curious
 

If you reffed GA, have you also reffed MLC from New Ulm? That's my alma mater. If so, any opinon on them? Sorry I can't help you on GA, I'm in Wisconsin now.

As a Minnesotan until I was 22, I can vouch for the "niceness" of the natives. If it were not for the cold, heat, mosquitoes and humidity I would still be there.

The "unorginal" Tee

Re: Just curious
 

I have a good friend from New Ulm. You may know him. His name is Ross Paa.

Rings a bell
 

The last name is familiar, but I don't remember for sure.

This is why I have only issued one T in eight years of varsity officiating in Minnesota. Most coaches behave like this. They will question a call now and then, but they will never get personal with you. I see most officials run off the floor after the game to get away from the angry mobs. We usually stand at half court with the ball until the teams have shook hands and dispersed until we hand the ball to the table and then go to the locker room. Usually, the coaches will thank us for doing a good job officiating the game. Maybe this is part of the "Minnesota Nice" or maybe we just are confident in our ability to call a good game that we aren't concerned with confrontation after the game. Or maybe we are just stupid for doing this?

I heard a comedianne comment about growing up in Minnesota. She noted that it was settled largely by Norwegians who crossed a whole ocean and half a continent until they found a place that was just as cold and miserable as the place they left. They named it "Minnesota" which is a Native American word meaning "weather sucks big wompum".

Still cracks me up. :)

Chuck

Re: Just curious
 

Nope...I had GA in a playoff game way out here in Washington (that's state) last saturday...I believe it was a second round game or something like that...if all coaches are like that back there, it might be worth the weather and bugs!!

I worked Gustavus three times this year and that is how she always is. She has always been a class act. Most of the coaches in the MIAC are good to work for but she is at the top. This year I gave one T in that league and it was the first in five years. I definitely can't say that about the high school coaches!

Everything that I know about Minnesota, I learned from the movie "Fargo".

Don't Be Fooled
 

We have our share of annoying coaches on the High School and College level. The Men's MIAC coaches are not nearly as friendly.

Re: Don't Be Fooled
 

I'll ditto that working at both levels. We may have some mild mannered coaches up here but we certainly have our share of hotheads and jacka$$es too. I think I probably had 10-12 technicals in the 60+ HS and college games (excluding AAU and Rec)I worked this year and maybe 3-4 of them were issued to coaches. I guess I allow more rope in some instances though. However it does seem like up here the decent (mannered)coaches do outnumber the howlers.

Hey can we export that "Minnesota Nice"

I've heard of Minnesota Fats. But Minnesota Nice? He sounds like a wimp. :)

There is STILL plenty of Minnesota "ICE".... All the better for the brown pops!

Wondering. Is Hamms still "from the Land of cool, clear water"?