Univ. of Tennessee -- is that where you thought?

I think one of the "funniest" things I have seen by a player is at a varsity game. Team A was flagged for a holding by the LJ negating a TD.. While he was walking in to report it to the WH the QB of team A walked up and tossed his falg about 8-10 yards closer to the goalline and then ran down the sideline to talk to his coach. The LJ was sharp enough to remember where he had thrown his flag. I was working with the LJ this past weekend and we were talking about that. He said he remembered something was not right but did not know till I mentioned it what actually happened.

A few years ago, we had a coach catch and throw our LJ's flag into the stadium. Our BJ thought it was such a good toss he gave him another flag to try to throw. As the coach was excusing himself of his coaching duties, he did retrieve the flag for our LJ. (Incidentally, it was the coach's last game of the season and he had already been notified he was fired. I guess he just wanted to go out in a memorable fashion.)

BigWes68...yes, I thought you were at my alma matre. didn't we talk last year about Jackie leaving. But then he didn't.

I'm actually getting to come down to the Notre Dame game in a week or so. Tell them to get Rocky Top fired up for me.

Just like Georgia Southern to have the money to use 4 person crews!

I miss my days working NIRSA flag games. Actually I think I miss the trips to New Orleans and Pensacola more. It is always a blast meeting officials from across the country and working to be the best you can be. I was lucky enough to be taught by the best (no, not you Sam), but Bradley Petty and was a 2 time All American. In 1998 I had WH on the Men's National Championship (Nunez CC destroyed somebody) and in '96 I was BJ on the Co-Rec championship.

Best of luck to all of you working regional and state tournaments.

Chris Clarke
JMU '99
Ohio U '00

Puh-leez child. We might work 4 person crews, but we do it for less than anybody else does out there. The going rate out here is $5.50 a game. Barely pays the cell phone bill, but I love it.

Reminds me of a funny story. My very first extramural tourney at Swamp Bowl my freshman season. I had run very little/no 3-man and they were going over the mechanic. When I met up with my crew--two guys from UF. I was chatting it up, and mentioned that I was kind of shaky on 3-man. They said they didn't run it much either, and I said "Oh, so you guys run 4 too". Next was the craziest thing I've ever heard--"No, we run 2-man a lot." Wowsa. Hard workin folks.

I was taught by some of the best as well. During my first two years, I had six All-Americans on campus to teach me the ropes. And our Director was on the rules committee. Talk about a brain-trust!!! You can't help but learn from guys that good.

We'll send another good squad to Pensacola (which I'm not going to--hense the good squad ;) ) and New Orleans. Hopefully I'll be there, cuz that's what we all strive for.

I'm actually out the door in about 20 minutes. Headed to the TIRSA shootout in Cookville, Tennessee. You guys keep 'em in bounds.

Where's the flag
 

My BJ threw a flag for block in the back near the visitors sideline. The play continued for another 25 yards. When we tried to find the flag to penalize from the AB1 rule; it was no where to be found. It has vanished, alians must have taken it.

Upon further review, it was discovered that an Asst Coach had picked it up, and was hiding it behind his back.

"Coach, please give the flag back to the BJ"
"If you don't have a flag, then you can't penalize us anymore"
"Coach, please give the flag back to the BJ"
"No flag, no penalties"
"Guess what coach; I have one. Now that's going to cost you 15 yards"

The only thing you learned from me Clarke was how to drink on Bourbon Street and chase female officials. We both were pretty good at the drinking but only moderate at the chasing part.

I wish we were able to pay our officials more. $6.35 an hour is not that good but better than some. We still do a few 2 man when staff son't show but normally, 3 man is the run of the day. We'll start 4 person next week as we get to the quarter finals of the tournament.

Good luck at the tournaments guys.

Re: Where's the flag
 

I always carry two flags, one for the player, one for the coach.

We usually run 4-man, 3-man if someone doesn't show up. I have, on occasion, had to run 2-man, but that isn't much fun. Once we get to the semifinals and championship, we go to a form of 5-man.

Pay down here isn't that great either; something like $5.50 per game.

How do you get into doing all these tournaments in other places? I've never heard anything about them.

I've been in city recreation for 4 years so I am a little out of the loop on NIRSA tourneys now, but ask your IM director directly. I can't believe UT isn't sending any officials to TIRSA. I would bet you have a team or two going.

Axe Man! Can you help him out some? I know you are still in the know on flag tourneys!

OCReferee

GWU here - we run 4 man crews, and always have problems with players picking up the flags and the discs. 90% of the time, they're just trying to help, 10% of the time, they're trying to show you up. (I love when I tell a kid not to move a flag, he bends down, picks it up, throws it, and then acts surprised when he gets a USC.)

As for NIRSA, haven't really done anything flag football wise (I doubt we're sending any teams to any national tournaments), but did work the NIRSA basketball regionals at U-Maryland last spring.

Ahhhhhh, I too miss the days of NIRSA...you guys should get the Arkansas folks to talk to your bosses. I think those guys are now getting close to $10/hr now. (Not that I got that...5.50/hr)

I Will Now Miss The Days of NIRSA...This past Tuesday I refereed my last intramural flag football game in college. Being a Senior, it's my last year; no more getting to call flag guarding.

I can tell you - my last games are this weekend, too. Flag guarding is one call with which I will be HAPPY to be finished!