Reflections on taking some time off

[pfan1981]

Let me start off by saying that I have truly enjoyed this post. Not all the back and forth, but rather everyone's situation. It has been one of the best posts I have ever read because everyone's situation and motivation are different.

I am sorry to hear that you had a rough go of it. Every official unfortunately goes through it because there are bad people out there in the world. It is super unfortunate, I wish no one would have to go through it.

What's interesting is all the "why" we do it. Some just love basketball, some like providing a fair contest, some like the workout, some like the $$$ (who doesn't though), and some like a hobby. I pretty much like to do it for all those reasons. At a middle school game last night with about 100 people in the gym. One of the middle schoolers (a fan) yelled, "Hey (visiting team).....YOU SUCK!" As a teacher by trade, this was not acceptable. I calmly walked over and told that section of quality people that if they would like to finish watching the game, then they better not say another negative word. Before I could even finish my pep talk, the principal, who is a great guy, was sitting right in the middle of them. Needless to say, most of them thought it wasn't very fun anymore and left. Sportsmanship is my number one priority, probably to a fault. Last night the visiting team kid was getting into it with the home team. I grabbed his jersey by the shoulder (not hard or anything), walked him over to coach and said, "I think you need a sub coach." Coach replied, "Couldn't agree more." He later said he appreciated that vs. the technical foul, ie preventive officiating.

OK, off my soap box. I wish you well. I hope you officiate again if you want to. I had a game from hell last year and almost hung it up, but am glad I didn't. I also have a 3 and 6 year old. They hug my legs when I go to work a game, but teaching does not pay the greatest (2k take home per month, btw that blows people's minds) and it helps with the holidays and such. I think I will scale it back when they start playing youth and middle school. I think I will attend every HS game, but pick up any varsity contest not on those nights to keep my game sharp.

Again, great post with great ideas,

pfan

[fiasco]

Originally Posted by pfan1981

Let me start off by saying that I have truly enjoyed this post. Not all the back and forth, but rather everyone's situation. It has been one of the best posts I have ever read because everyone's situation and motivation are different.

I am sorry to hear that you had a rough go of it. Every official unfortunately goes through it because there are bad people out there in the world. It is super unfortunate, I wish no one would have to go through it.

What's interesting is all the "why" we do it. Some just love basketball, some like providing a fair contest, some like the workout, some like the $$$ (who doesn't though), and some like a hobby. I pretty much like to do it for all those reasons. At a middle school game last night with about 100 people in the gym. One of the middle schoolers (a fan) yelled, "Hey (visiting team).....YOU SUCK!" As a teacher by trade, this was not acceptable. I calmly walked over and told that section of quality people that if they would like to finish watching the game, then they better not say another negative word. Before I could even finish my pep talk, the principal, who is a great guy, was sitting right in the middle of them. Needless to say, most of them thought it wasn't very fun anymore and left. Sportsmanship is my number one priority, probably to a fault. Last night the visiting team kid was getting into it with the home team. I grabbed his jersey by the shoulder (not hard or anything), walked him over to coach and said, "I think you need a sub coach." Coach replied, "Couldn't agree more." He later said he appreciated that vs. the technical foul, ie preventive officiating.

OK, off my soap box. I wish you well. I hope you officiate again if you want to. I had a game from hell last year and almost hung it up, but am glad I didn't. I also have a 3 and 6 year old. They hug my legs when I go to work a game, but teaching does not pay the greatest (2k take home per month, btw that blows people's minds) and it helps with the holidays and such. I think I will scale it back when they start playing youth and middle school. I think I will attend every HS game, but pick up any varsity contest not on those nights to keep my game sharp.

Again, great post with great ideas,

pfan

Thanks, pfan. Really appreciate your thoughts.

I was actually talking to my wife last night. I think I'm really looking forward to just having this season off, especially now around Christmas time.

Next year, I really think when basketball season comes around I may pick up a Saturday or two or weeknight or two a month and do some Jr. High rec league ball. Just to stay into it and to get some exercise and see how I feel after doing that. Who knows.

[RookieDude]

Originally Posted by pfan1981

I grabbed his jersey by the shoulder (not hard or anything), walked him over to coach and said, "I think you need a sub coach."

I appreciate you sharing with us...

but, "grabbing" a kid's jersey and "walking him" anywhere...

Hmmmmm....

[Rich]

Originally Posted by RookieDude

I appreciate you sharing with us...

but, "grabbing" a kid's jersey and "walking him" anywhere...

Hmmmmm....

I don't touch players. I cringed at reading that one, I'll admit.

[Rich]

Guys, don't make me lock this thread. Cause the lock is coming.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Rich

Guys, don't make me lock this thread. Cause the lock is coming.

Lock it up.

Peace

[fiasco]

Originally Posted by Rich

Guys, don't make me lock this thread. Cause the lock is coming.

Is this like the moderator equivalent of the stop sign?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by fiasco

Is this like the moderator equivalent of the stop sign?

I don't use the stop sign. But, OK.

[fiasco]

Originally Posted by Rich

I don't use the stop sign.

That's why the joke is so funny!

[IowaMike]

Most officials eventually get to the point where they know it's time to hang it up, be it age or just not enjoying it anymore. Everyone is different. I officiated basketball for 12 years and called it quits after last season; I umpired baseball in three different stretches over the years, working around my boys playing, and decided to hang that up after this last summer as well. I worked varsity games in both sports for many years. Why did I decide to quit? It just wasn't that much fun for me anymore; the travel, nights away from home, nasty coaches and fans just started to wear on me and I finally realized it wasn't something I wanted to do anymore. I have other interests that had been put on the back burner to some extent over those 12 years (fishing, playing in a band) and I was ready to do other things with my free time. Enjoyed most of my years on the court and diamond and loved having the opportunity to stay around the game, but I haven't missed it one bit this season and am enjoying my extra free time to spend with my family and on other pursuits.

It can be hard to walk away when you worked so hard to get to a certain level in officiating, but if it just isn't fun anymore there really isn't a good reason to keep doing it, because the money isn't that great. I worked an extra year or two after I had come to the conclusion that I was ready to hang up because I really hated to give up everything I had worked for and earned. I should have left earlier because my last season or two was a real grind for me and more like a job than a hobby. When it's time it's time.