5 Ideal Jobs for Retirees

[SE Minnestoa Re]

I was thinking giving up officiating when I retired, not doing more of it.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by SE Minnestoa Re

I was thinking giving up officiating when I retired, not doing more of it.

Here, in my little corner of Connecticut, we have difficulty assigning officials to middle school (3:30 p.m.), and freshman (4:00 p.m.), high school basketball games. Our day jobs get in the way. If an official is available for these games, he instantly becomes our assignment commissioner's best friend.

When I retire in a few years, my goal is to be healthy enough continue to work my varsity games, and to make myself available for these afternoon games. I'm looking forward to mentoring the "rookie", and inexperienced, officials that are often assigned these afternoon subvarsity games.

Subvarsity fees, for all subvarsity games, including middle school, were $59.23 last season. That's more than just pocket change at two, or three, subvarsity games each week for a twelve week season.

[Mregor]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Subvarsity fees, for all subvarsity games, including middle school, were $59.23 last season. That's more than just pocket change at two, or three, subvarsity games each week for a twelve week season.

Wow, when I last did a MS game, I think it paid $15.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Subvarsity fees, for all subvarsity games, including middle school, were $59.23 last season.

Originally Posted by grunewar

That is a nice chunk of change.

Originally Posted by Mregor

Wow, when I last did a MS game, I think it paid $15.

Don't get too excited. Remember, this is Connecticut, you have to have an IAABO patch, these are, pretty much, all two man games, officials who are assigned middle school games by our high school assignment commissioner are expected to use all proper high school mechanics (switch on all fouls, etc.), and you may have to work with at least one very "experienced" (euphemism) official who wears a black belt.

[JRutledge]

I think the article just glosses over what it takes to be an official. As usual they act like anyone can just roll off the street and do what we do. If someone is retired and wants to officiate and never done it before, that might be a hard transition at that point of your life. It is hard for people that come later in life when they are in their 40s and 50s when their kids have finally left for college or their house for good, let alone what it would be for a retired person at a much older age. None of us should really be surprised, most people think anyone can do what we do. And they equate coaching with what we do too, which has nothing to do with our jobs either.

Peace

[rsl]

We have had several retirees/newbies who have a big impact at the subvarsity level. One had the time to reformat old NFHS exams and convince the county to start testing and certifying wreck refs.

But, these guys all do it because they enjoy it. The money was secondary. Young and old alike think you can make a living as a referee, and several dozen NBA refs actually do.

Luckily I convinced my son to go to college and let referee money merely supplement his income as a sports journalist.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I think the article just glosses over what it takes to be an official. As usual they act like anyone can just roll off the street and do what we do. If someone is retired and wants to officiate and never done it before, that might be a hard transition at that point of your life. It is hard for people that come later in life when they are in their 40s and 50s when their kids have finally left for college or their house for good, let alone what it would be for a retired person at a much older age.

I know that volleyball officiating isn't the same as basketball officiating, but we've had several of our local basketball officials make a successful move over to volleyball, with little, or no volleyball experience, when they retired from their day jobs.

We've also had some older guys, and gals, take our basketball rules, and mechanics, classes, pass our floor exam, and move on to became successful subvarsity basketball officials.

Retirees, in decent physical shape, can become successful subvarsity basketball officials if they want to put in the effort, and take advantage of the training, over several months, that all of our rookie officials, both young, and old, go through. If they continue to work hard, and take advantage of our mentor program, and other educational programs that we offer (camps, clinics, etc.) they can move up the ladder. How far up the ladder they move when they're in their 60's is another story, especially since, here in my little corner of Connecticut, it takes four years, including the "cadet" year, to get any varsity games, and three more years of a partial varsity schedule until one gets a full varsity schedule, assuming that one's ratings are superior. Many retirees could be dead, or with bodies full of artificial hips, and knees, by then.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I know that volleyball officiating isn't the same as basketball officiating, but we've had several of our local basketball officials make a successful move over to volleyball, with little, or no volleyball experience, when they retired from their day jobs.

We are on a basketball board, not a volleyball one. Of course someone can pick up volleyball, but most other sports require fitness and movement. And even some of those that are older have problems climbing the ladder and that is why some will not be the official on the latter (whatever that is their position name).

Originally Posted by BillyMac

We've also had some older guys, and gals, take our basketball rules, and mechanics, classes, pass our floor exam, and move on to became successful subvarsity basketball officials.


Retirees, in decent physical shape, can become successful subvarsity basketball officials if they want to put in the effort, and take advantage of the training, over several months, that all of our rookie officials, both young, and old, go through. If they continue to work hard, and take advantage of our mentor program, and other educational programs that we offer (camps, clinics, etc.) they can move up the ladder. How far up the ladder they move when they're in their 60's is another story, especially since, here in my little corner of Connecticut, it takes four years, including the "cadet" year, to get any varsity games, and three more years of a partial varsity schedule until one gets a full varsity schedule, assuming that one's ratings are superior. Many retirees could be dead, or with bodies full of artificial hips, and knees, by then.

I did not say they could not officiate. But those come in even at the 40s and up ages, they often want to work varsity basketball after a period of time. That can be difficult if you are not in great shape. With that being said, not everyone at that age is breaking down physically. I also teach a newer officials basketball class and we do not see many in their 60s coming to officiating for the first time. I know the term "retiree" is sometimes generic, but there are people that retire at younger ages than 65.

Peace

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Subvarsity fees, for all subvarsity games, including middle school, were $59.23 last season. That's more than just pocket change at two, or three, subvarsity games each week for a twelve week season.

That is a nice chunk of change. I just hope my body holds up so I can make these decisions.