Question from a fan

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I drive almost 100 miles a few times a season. The rural conferences here do something that the more urban and suburban conferences do not -- they pay higher game fees and also pay travel money (I'll work some schools that pay up to $50 travel). To me, it's a sign that they *want* officials from my area to come and work or that there's a shortage of varsity level officials in the area. And those schools pack the gym and provide an atmosphere rarely seen at bigger schools, where the gyms can be less than half full. It's OK to do this once in a while, but I do appreciate the rare occasion where I have to drive less than 20 miles, too.

Our association is almost all small town schools in a rural area. The area serviced is about 135 miles long from top to bottom with the home of the association in the center. We are paid travel for all levels based on one car, one way, from the home of the association to the home school, regardless of actual distance traveled, with a minimum of $30. This money is split between the 2 or 3 officials working that night.

I live about 15 miles from the north end of our territory, so I have to travel more than most. But, when the game is on the south end, I usually drive down to meet a partner halfway, more or less, then ride with him.