Originally Posted by Brad (Post 847647)

Why do people even try to stay anonymous on the forum (or anywhere else for that matter)? I think that if everyone had to put their real name next to their posts there would be a lot less trolling!

Besides that, even if you are using a different name, it's not all that hard to track down who someone really is if you have the right tools :)

Originally Posted by Camron Rust (Post 847651)

The fact is that there are good ole boy networks. They exist just about everywhere to some degree.

The fact is that many officials who think their schedule is poor because they are outside "the network" are simply not as good as they think they are.

The fact is that there are officials who others believe are "in the network" that they think are not as good as they are....and they may or may not be right.

Hiring/Assigning decisions are made base on many factors...not exclusively the ability to call the game. That's life. Not one of you would do it any different, no matter what you say. You can't. You're human. When given the choice between two people, your choice will ALWAYS be swayed by the secondary factors.....to a greater or lessor degree, of course, but you'll never eliminate it.

You simply have to establish the fact that not only are you capable of calling the game, but that you are also going to make life better for your assignor. Maybe those guys getting the assignments took a whole bunch of 5-grade girls games for that assignor year after year when the assignor was in a bind....they took care of the assignor. Now, the assignor takes care of them. The whole world of any competitive business is give and take and is a much larger picture than a single game or season. The influencing factors always extend way outside of the immediate task.

Originally Posted by JRutledge (Post 847655)

I also think a lot of the reason guys never advance or advance the way they want to is they do not learn their system. We have a lot of people in my area that think they are going to work varsity for everyone if they work for one guy. First of all that almost never automatically happens and you have to be seen by each person at their camp or at a game. We do not have a lot of guys that assign other levels and if they assign summer ball that is just to cover those games, not to evaluate the ability of the officials that show up (and it is not like they will be there). I think we need to do less complaining and more learning in many areas and we will be better for that knowledge.

Peace

Originally Posted by GROUPthink (Post 847656)

The other thing about our system is that you can't sit home and wait for assignors to call. You have to be willing to send emails and call, where appropriate, and figure out how to market yourself. It could be going to the right camp. It could be sending along a list of closed dates and helping out the assignor, etc.

Originally Posted by JRutledge (Post 847657)

And do not show up at the doorstep or workplace of your assignor either. :eek:

Yes that did happen recently happen with a couple of people. SMDH!!!

Peace

Originally Posted by Snaqwells (Post 847627)

Maybe someone you met at camps is trying to claim my identity?

Originally Posted by JRutledge (Post 847655)

I also think a lot of the reason guys never advance or advance the way they want to is they do not learn their system.

Originally Posted by GROUPthink (Post 847654)

Some of us have assignors, supervisors, etc. who do not really wish us to be on forums like this.

Originally Posted by Camron Rust (Post 847651)

The fact is that there are good ole boy networks. They exist just about everywhere to some degree.

The fact is that many officials who think their schedule is poor because they are outside "the network" are simply not as good as they think they are.

The fact is that there are officials who others believe are "in the network" that they think are not as good as they are....and they may or may not be right.

Originally Posted by GROUPthink (Post 847654)

Some of us have assignors, supervisors, etc. who do not really wish us to be on forums like this. Mainly at the college/pro level, I'm sure.

While you can tell who we are (if we have multiple accounts), they can't.

Originally Posted by Brad (Post 847736)

I understand that ... and as long as you are talking rules, play situations, etc. then I get it. However, some use their anonymity to say things they never would if their real name was attached to their comments... it's those people that I think are fooling themselves. You're not nearly as anonymous as you think!

Originally Posted by rockyroad (Post 847727)

And we all know good and well that it is also a fact that there are very talented officials who get screwed by the system in their area because they don't fit into the "network"...you have seen it in Portland. I know several very good officials that could never get on your assignor's "network".

Originally Posted by rockyroad (Post 847727)

And we all know good and well that it is also a fact that there are very talented officials who get screwed by the system in their area because they don't fit into the "network"...you have seen it in Portland. I know several very good officials that could never get on your assignor's "network".

Originally Posted by JRutledge (Post 847745)

Is there not always officials that a very good that do not get a shot somewhere? Does that not come with the territory? I know tonight there is someone complaining that some player that was drafted was not as good as some guy they played with or against at some point. That does not mean the "network" was the reason they did not come get their shot. I know being involved in some associations and camps that many of the things that hold people back or never get the shot they think they deserve is often because of something they do off the court than on the court.

Peace

Originally Posted by GROUPthink (Post 847740)

I'd rather be anonymous and still participate than disappear entirely.

Originally Posted by JRutledge (Post 847745)

Is there not always officials that a very good that do not get a shot somewhere? Does that not come with the territory? I know tonight there is someone complaining that some player that was drafted was not as good as some guy they played with or against at some point. That does not mean the "network" was the reason they did not come get their shot. I know being involved in some associations and camps that many of the things that hold people back or never get the shot they think they deserve is often because of something they do off the court than on the court.

Peace