Association Culture ...

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by grunewar

100% of the time here. Some of course are better than others. It is greatly appreciated.

68 of the 70 high schools we service here in my little corner of Connecticut have secure dressing areas, and showers. I don't get out of work early enough to work middle school games, but I understand that secure dressing areas, and showers, in middle schools are as rare as a World Series titles for the Chicago Cubs, and most officials come dressed in uniform, and expect to leave in uniform, for a long sweaty ride home.

[zm1283]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

This is something I do care about. I'm expected to show up at games (I only work varsity) dressed a certain way so I expect to be able to shower and leave the venue the same way, especially in winter temperatures. I sweat profusely and if the game has any type of fast-breaking my shirt is going to be soaked. If they aren't going to provide a shower then I should be able to show up in a sweat suit.

We have showers in some places, and don't in a lot of other places. It just depends. Several of the bigger schools with newer gyms have dressing rooms they built in their gyms specifically for officials, which always have showers. Our dress code is very relaxed. We wear jeans and some even wear sweats.

We are strongly encouraged and reminded to confirm game times. We ride together to games 99 percent of the time so we always contact partners either way.

[DRJ1960]

Showers?

I've only worked Basketball for 5 seasons... only had ONE opportunity to shower after a game.

[Lcubed48]

Originally Posted by DRJ1960

Showers?

I've only worked Basketball for 5 seasons... only had ONE opportunity to shower after a game.

For top quality accommodations, maybe you should think about switching boards?

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

but I understand that secure dressing areas, and showers, in middle schools are as rare as a World Series titles for the Chicago Cubs, and most officials come dressed in uniform, and expect to leave in uniform, for a long sweaty ride home.

At this level we still always got a private, most times secure place to change. Showers were 50/50. I still never went to or from a game in uniform, regardless.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Lcubed48

For top quality accommodations, maybe you should think about switching boards?

I sent my paperwork in.

[Multiple Sports]

Originally Posted by DRJ1960

Showers?

I've only worked Basketball for 5 seasons... only had ONE opportunity to shower after a game.

Sounds lile a combination of too many Christian school and middle school games!!!!!!!!

[Multiple Sports]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

I sent my paperwork in.

You guys can't even get a shower in the officials room at one of the nicer AAU facilities in the country !!!!!!!

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Multiple Sports

You guys can't even get a shower in the officials room at one of the nicer AAU facilities in the country !!!!!!!

Believe me, I complained about that on Day 1.

At first we they didn't even want to give us any place to change. I'll take partial credit that we even got those 2 converted storage rooms.

[DRJ1960]

Originally Posted by Multiple Sports

Sounds lile a combination of too many Christian school and middle school games!!!!!!!!

I get my share of AAA Varsity here in Central Va... and I've seen every Private and Small School gym south of the James

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by DRJ1960

I get my share of AAA Varsity here in Central Va... and I've seen every Private and Small School gym south of the James

AAA schools should be at least be providing you with an office adjacent to a shower.

[Publius]

Originally Posted by Rich

There is the rare 20 year old who's ready, but you have to count experience somehow, too. I'm less interested in technical proficiency at times and more interested in how an official reacts when the s&@# hits the fan. I'm not saying that a more experienced official will handle situations better, but I've probably had to see more situations and deal with more crap than a second year official, and that should count for something.

Of course there's always the official that has one year of experience 25 times...

I agree almost 100%. Some veteran guys are great when the sh!% hits the fan. The problem is, they're the ones causing it to splatter. Generally speaking, you're absolutely right. The only point I'm making is that guys who are ready shouldn't be held back because they haven't worked some arbitrary number of years. Those guys are sometimes not 20, but 30 and cops or retail store managers with a fabulolus resume when it comes to dealing with sh!%. I don't make them wait if they demonstrate proficiency, and consequently, the cream of the newby crop wants to work for me.

I like giving able young guys opportunities. It's great having 25-year-olds with five years of experience dealing with situations. They don't become proficient by watching. I think any association that has a policy of making every official wait X number of years before they can get varsity assignments ought to revisit that policy.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Publius

I agree almost 100%. Some veteran guys are great when the sh!% hits the fan. The problem is, they're the ones causing it to splatter. Generally speaking, you're absolutely right. The only point I'm making is that guys who are ready shouldn't be held back because they haven't worked some arbitrary number of years. Those guys are sometimes not 20, but 30 and cops or retail store managers with a fabulolus resume when it comes to dealing with sh!%. I don't make them wait if they demonstrate proficiency, and consequently, the cream of the newby crop wants to work for me.

I like giving able young guys opportunities. It's great having 25-year-olds with five years of experience dealing with situations. They don't become proficient by watching. I think any association that has a policy of making every official wait X number of years before they can get varsity assignments ought to revisit that policy.

We agree 100%.

I also think that some people (for whatever reason) are rushed into assignments they aren't ready for. Sometimes there is some other factor involved that jumps them over a bunch of officials that have been waiting for their opportunity for no good reason, too. Every situation is different.

[Lcubed48]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

I sent my paperwork in.

Good for you.
See ya next month. Don't forget the dress code!

[DRJ1960]

Originally Posted by Lcubed48

Good for you.
See ya next month. Don't forget the dress code!

and the shampoo.....