Politics of Basketball

[Andy]

Most of us that are or were officials were also athletes and competitors previously. As such, we still have the competitive drive.

Some officials manifest that by comparing themselves to other officials and the number and/or percieved "quality" of the games assigned. Many officials that feel slighted that they are not getting the BIG games will start to blame "politics", the "good ole boy network" and "such and such assignor" doesn't like me. Anything but take a realistic look at their game and what they can do to improve.

Without knowing anything about your association and making some assumptions, I do find it interesting that some of the ANGRY officials have decided to become involved in the leadership of the organization instead of just sitting back and complaining about it. Hopefully, it works out well for your group.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Andy

... Many officials that feel slighted that they are not getting the BIG games will start to blame "politics", the "good ole boy network" and "such and such assignor" doesn't like me. Anything but take a realistic look at their game and what they can do to improve.
...

Sometimes this is reality, trust me.

[BigT]

I love these angry guys. They make it so easy for the cream to rise to the top and get more of those great games.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by BigT

I love these angry guys. They make it so easy for the cream to rise to the top and get more of those great games.

Cream wasn't rising to the top around here. In these parts, the cream would go to camps and better themselves and get ridiculed by veterans for "trying to be college officials." The HS officiating situation is a joke where I live, that's why I travel up the road to work public school games.

[egj13]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

The HS officiating situation is a joke where I live, that's why I travel up the road to work public school games.

Does your association put 1st year officials in hotly contested Varisty games? My new one does. I guess their thinking is that since we do three-man for everything the 2 experienced guys can cover the third guy. That my friend is a joke....

[The_Rookie]

Originally Posted by egj13

Does your association put 1st year officials in hotly contested Varisty games? My new one does. I guess their thinking is that since we do three-man for everything the 2 experienced guys can cover the third guy. That my friend is a joke....

Did I read that correctly? 1st year officials (Rookies) are put on varsity games?? What's the punchline?

[egj13]

Originally Posted by The_Rookie

Did I read that correctly? 1st year officials (Rookies) are put on varsity games?? What's the punchline?

Your reaction is the same I had...

this is my first year in the state and pool and I thought I was hearing things but I swear to you its true...rookies on the varsity floor in their first game.

[johnny d]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

Cream wasn't rising to the top around here. In these parts, the cream would go to camps and better themselves and get ridiculed by veterans for "trying to be college officials." The HS officiating situation is a joke where I live, that's why I travel up the road to work public school games.

What difference does it make if the best officials work the so-called top games. You get paid the same whether you have the top game of the night or the bottom game. Just go out and do the best you can and not worry about the other stuff. Besides, it seems to me that your interest lies in officiating college basketball, so in the end, you will either be doing HS games to fill in your non-college nights or you will stop doing them all together. Eventually this type of nonsense about how or who gets assigned to what games will no longer have any significance for you.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by johnny d

What difference does it make if the best officials work the so-called top games. You get paid the same whether you have the top game of the night or the bottom game. Just go out and do the best you can and not worry about the other stuff. Besides, it seems to me that your interest lies in officiating college basketball, so in the end, you will either be doing HS games to fill in your non-college nights or you will stop doing them all together. Eventually this type of nonsense about how or who gets assigned to what games will no longer have any significance for you.

Where did I mention top games or bottom games? Ever hear of holiday tournaments and post-season games? Maybe you're one of those guys who makes snide comments to officials who go to camp.

And I already work a college schedule, and I've been doing so for a few years now. I have tremendous relationships with my current HS assignors. And they both appreciate having college guys on their HS staffs. And the college guys I know who still work HS ball, do so in a professional manner.

But thanks, for assuming I'm just talking out the side of my neck with no basis for my statements.

[johnny d]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

Where did I mention top games or bottom games? Ever hear of holiday tournaments and post-season games? Maybe you're one of those guys who makes snide comments to officials who go to camp.

Again, why does it matter if you get holiday tournaments or post season games. The unprofessionalism of the assignor or local association hasn't stopped you from continuing on the path towards college basketball so their attitude towards you and others working on that path doesn't really have any significance in whether or not you achieve your goals. Worrying and or complaining about it is an exercise in futility and a complete waste of time.
My checkbook and my wife would tell you that I am a firm believer in going to camps.


And I already work a college schedule, and I've been doing so for a few years now. I have tremendous relationships with my current HS assignors. And they both appreciate having college guys on their HS staffs. And the college guys I know who still work HS ball, do so in a professional manner.

Never said people who work college ball shouldn't or don't approach their HS games with professionalism. All I said is that as you get more college games, you are going to take less HS games and have less availability to work those types of games, making the unprofessional attitude of the association even less significant to you.
But thanks, for assuming I'm just talking out the side of my neck with no basis for my statements.

Never implied you were talking without basis, I believe you when you say they aren't doing the job the right way. My only point is that their behavior is not stopping you from reaching your goals, so it isn't worth getting upset about.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by johnny d

What difference does it make if the best officials work the so-called top games.

It makes a helluva lot of difference to the coaches, players and fans. And if you're an official, it should make a difference to you. It reflects poorly upon the association, the assignor and the association members when officials are assigned to games who can't handle them.

You get paid the same whether you have the top game of the night or the bottom game.

That's why you work, just to get paid?

Besides, it seems to me that your interest lies in officiating college basketball, so in the end, you will either be doing HS games to fill in your non-college nights or you will stop doing them all together. Eventually this type of nonsense about how or who gets assigned to what games will no longer have any significance for you.

Wow. Unbelievable.

[johnny d]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

It makes a helluva lot of difference to the coaches, players and fans. And if you're an official, it should make a difference to you. It reflects poorly upon the association, the assignor and the association members when officials are assigned to games who can't handle them.

If the coaches or athletic directors cared or thought they were not getting the best officials for their games they would hire a new association or assignment person for their games. Since that hasn't happened the schools must be satisfied with their work. Furthermore, it makes absolutely no difference to me if the assignment person does a poor job of putting the right officials on the right games. I don't have any input in those decisions, so I am not responsible for the outcome. My only responsibility is to work the games I am assigned and choose to accept to the best of my ability and in the most professional manner I am capable of.


That's why you work, just to get paid?


Yeah that is exactly why I work, because the money I get for doing an NAIA, D2 or D3 game 250 miles from my house makes this avocation an extremely profitable endeavor. My point was people get way to worked up about who is working the so-called big games. Is there any tangible benefit to working those games? No, there isn't. As I pointed out in my original post, the pay is the exact same and if you care about how you represent yourself, then you are going to work whatever game you are on to the best of your ability. So the only thing left is the ability to say I worked the insert big name here vs. insert big name here game. At the end of the day, bragging about what games you worked because they are considered to be important games is just about ego.

Wow. Unbelievable.

Exactly. It is unbelievable that you would be so worked up about something as insignificant as who is working the perceived big games rather than worrying about things you can control as an individual.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by johnny d

...Eventually this type of nonsense about how or who gets assigned to what games will no longer have any significance for you.

Hmmm, I think what and when I get assigned would have significance to me. I think that's why I have a block-out calendar. In fact, I even have one assignor who allows us to put mileage limitations for each day of the week. And guess what, I utilize that option. Hope that doesn't offend you also.

BNR and BktBallRef, I think johnny d was talking about his association and his frustrations, building on what he quoted BNR as saying. I think he was using "you" in a rhetorical sense.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

Sometimes this is reality, trust me.

I am well aware of that and did not mean to imply that these things don't happen at all.

However, in my experience, they are blamed for a perceived lack of advancement far more than they are actually responsible for.