When did you try to move up, JV and Varsity?

[Rich]

I started officiating with a group that had very few schools to schedule. Then I moved, twice. I was in my 7th year when I moved to Tennessee for graduate school, although officiating was really a part time gig for me up to that point -- maybe 1-2 games a week at the most.

Once I got to Tennessee, I took everything I could and tried being as coachable as possible. Middle of my second year there, aided by some horrible weather, I started filling in at the V level. I've never looked back. That was 17 years and 3 states ago.

I know people with over 10-15 years experience who still work only FR/JV games and always will. They aren't motivated to move up, the games are earlier, and they can work close to home and make only $20 less than the V officials. (Around here FR/JV are hired by the schools directly, and they're happy for any body they can get.)

You have to control what you can control. Eventually, someone will notice you.