Giving back games??

Tio

I think you owe it to yourself to take the higher level game. Your supervisor should be happy that you have been assigned an upper level game and not hold it against you. The more varsity officials that work on his staff give him credibility than if all of his officials were lousy and not getting better.

If the assignor is bitter and were to take it out on you, I would question whether you want to work for him in the first place.

Adam

When I was in Iowa, most of the small schools had their assignments done a year ahead of time. Right now, folks are likely filling their varsity dates for the 09-10 season. Of course, there aren't assigners involved, for the most part.

Tio

Ch1town wrote
Although turnbacks may be frowned upon, there are always exceptions to the rule(s). It's the way you go about it that matters most.

Turning back a varsity game for a higher level varsity game is one thing, but moving up a level should be understandable. College guys get pulled off HS games all the time around here, thus lower-level guys get bumped up to varsity games.

If any of the new varsity dates conflict with your existing lower-level dates, I would try to find tentative replacements. Contact the lower-level assignor & tell him of your opportunity to work the varsity level. Let him know the dates conflict with his, but you have a few replacements for him to choose from lined up for those dates. Then ask if you have his blessings in advancing to the next level.

That way all your bases are covered! You never want to burn bridges because you may not get a full varsity schedule & might need some lower-level games to fill your schedule. The lower-level assignor may become the varsity &/or college assignor someday... you never know.
Just my opinion.

What part of the country are in that gives basketball assignment before football starts? And why would they give lower-level before varsity? Just curious...

I agree except that the assignor should be the one finding the replacement unless it is specific policy to find your own sub. You may be assessed a turnback fee that you will have to live with. It sounds to me like the Varsity games are your priority and you shouldn't feel bad about taking an upper level game. Just be courteous and call the assignor asap so he can fill the spot. It shouldn't be a problem as the season doesn't start for 3 months.

Y2Koach

It would probably help if you asked this exact question to your assignors. They might be able to give you the best insight on the etiquette of your particular area/association/situation. That way you are not basing your decision making on internet advice given without context of your specific real life situation.

Scrapper1

jearef wrote
My suggestion is to call your JV assigner now, and ask him what his position is on these situations.

Ch1town wrote
Although turnbacks may be frowned upon, there are always exceptions to the rule(s). It's the way you go about it that matters most.

I absolutely 100% agree with these two posts. Call the JV assignor and be COMPLETELY HONEST with him/her. Believe me, assignors talk to each other. They will find out if you try to be sneaky or give a false reason for turning back the lower level game.

Josh, from Iowa, gave you one side of the coin. In his area, it is strongly frowned on to turn back a game for a higher level game. In my area of Massachusetts, it is pretty much a given with all my assignors that I am allowed to turn back any game for a higher level game with no repercussions. This is true from middle school to college.

Either way, be honest about it. If the JV guy is hard-nosed about it, then you'll know that for next season and you can honestly tell the Varsity assignor that you've taken a game from Mr. X that you can't get out of. I hope for your sake that the JV guy is reasonable. Good luck.

[deleted]

Snaqwells wrote
When I was in Iowa, most of the small schools had their assignments done a year ahead of time.

Wow, that's what I call getting 'er done!

Tio wrote
I agree except that the assignor should be the one finding the replacement unless it is specific policy to find your own sub.

True... but I've come to find that being proactive in this avocation can take you a long way. The assignor may be busy or sick & may not feel like filling that game, but by you taking it upon yourself to find tentative replacements (guys who are available on said night) that's one less thing he has to do.
I never said actually give the game away, just tentative 🙂

Grail

My solution has always been to contact the JV assigner and let them know that I have an offer to work a Varsity game. I also let them know that I understand that I have a contract for the underclass game, and I will honor my contract if they are unwilling to let me out of it. I also let the Varsity assignor know that I have a conflict and will have to clear it first.

This way, I haven't pissed off either assignor. For what it's worth, all of the JV assignors have appreciated my acknowledgment that I have a contract and am obligated to honor it, unless they release me. So far, I have not had to turn down a varsity assignment due to a conflict.

BktBallRef

jearef wrote
My suggestion is to call your JV assigner now, and ask him what his position is on these situations.

Exactly. Why wonder how such a decision will effect your relationship with an assignor? Call him and ask him.

Also, why not talk to the varsity assignor as well? Simply tell him, "Great, these are my open dates."

No need to hide from these discussions. That's when you're going to create problems for yourself.

JRutledge

Honesty about your schedule is always the best things. Usually it is completely acceptable to move up levels and many assignors would not have a problem if that is why you are getting off games. But there are exceptions and if you lie about why you get off a game, it is likely to be found out. Just be honest and have a conversation with all parties. Then again what is accepted and not accepted is such a local issue, I would make sure I was honest about my intentions to everyone directly involved.

Peace

Texas Aggie

In my area, the only time you will get in trouble is if you are a dual chapter member and turn back a varsity game for another varsity game. I don't believe there is a problem with turning back a sub-varsity game for a varsity assignment, and I know turning back any game for a college game is fine.

Now, if you reject an assignment of any kind in my chapter, you will be marked unavailable for that day and won't get another assignment opportunity.