When a coach or spectator asks for your name

[Mark Padgett]

We've had a few posts that have mentioned this, so I thought I'd be helpful and share some of the responses I've given to this query over the years.

"Sorry, I don't have a name anymore. I sold it on ebay."

"I'm not allowed to give out my name. It's part of my witness protection agreement."

"Skippy Weaselpants - that's Skippy with two P's."

"You tell me yours first. Come on - I'm waiting."

"Sorry, I've taken so many meds I can't remember it."

or my personal favorite: "Earl Strom".


Feel free to add your own.

[Jay R]

My friend was doing a youth tournament when a parent asked him for his name because they were going to introduce the refs during the pre-game introductions. My buddy says "Dick Bavetta". The parent does not get the joke so he asks him how to spell it. Lo and behold, this guy introduces him as Dick Bavetta. Some in the crowd laugh but nobody tells the guy who's Dick Bavetta. The tournament continues the next day and "Dick Bavetta" is refereeing again. The PA guy goes to one official to ask his name and says to my buddy "I remember you from your yesterday, you're Dick Bavetta" To this day, I don't think anyone ever told him.

[SNIPERBBB]

Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Ronnie Milsap.

My fathers crew for some reason likes to introduce themselves this way on occasion at captains meetings at times to see if they get any reactions.

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by Jay R

The PA guy goes to one official to ask his name and says to my buddy "I remember you from your yesterday, you're Dick Bavetta" To this day, I don't think anyone ever told him.

Nice!

[Terrapins Fan]

OT, We live in such as small community, everyone knows our name, knows what schools we went to and everything.

After my 4th year of reffing, I moved up to Varsity. I was working a game 60 miles from my home and the kid behind me said " Wow, he's not wearing his glasses, must have contacts" I was wearing contacts. I can't believe the fans knew who wore glasses and who didn't.

As for comments, none, we only go where everyone knows our name....

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by terrapins fan

as for comments, none, we only go where everyone knows our name....

norm?!

[Terrapins Fan]

There are 52 of us and only 12 high schools...

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by Terrapins Fan

There are 52 of us and only 12 high schools...

So everybody doesn't work nearly every night.

We have about 30 with 13 high schools. I thought 30 was too many.

[Terrapins Fan]

We do Middle school and of course Boys and Girls JV and Varsity, about 1/3 of our guys do college games, so, yeah we work nearly every night and I double up from time to time.

I also work one church league and schedule for another.

[Welpe]

I'm going to go with Immanuel Kant the next time somebody demands to know.

[yooperbballref]

When I played high school ball, I had one official that would always say in the captains circle that if any of us wanted too, after the game we could go in the officials locker room and pet his seeing eye dog. Sometimes people would catch on and sometimes he would get no responce.

[WDEvol]

Originally Posted by just another ref

So everybody doesn't work nearly every night.

We have about 30 with 13 high schools. I thought 30 was too many.

Our group has about 30 officials with 6 high schools. I feel lucky if I get two nights a week.

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by WDEvol

Our group has about 30 officials with 6 high schools. I feel lucky if I get two nights a week.

When I'm talking about high schools, other than tournaments and makeups, two nights a week is every night.

[WDEvol]

Originally Posted by just another ref

When I'm talking about high schools, other than tournaments and makeups, two nights a week is every night.

This is my first year in this particular area. I discovered that most of the schools around here postpone all their November games if they are still alive in the football playoffs. Basketball postseason starts the first week of February. That leads to lots of schools playing 3-4 nights a week in December and January to get all their games in.

We also have the six middle schools that feed those six high schools, but they play far fewer nights.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by yooperbballref

Pet his seeing eye dog.

I've had fans who have offered to check on my seeing eye dog while the game is in progress.