Guys-
Quick poll/question. I got my underclass HS schedule today. I got three games at the Middle School where I teach. I coached FB last year there and chose to ref instead this fall. I teach 7th grade so some of the players had me as their teacher last year. Ideas? Problems? What's your take?

Just asking for trouble IMHO. It is a no win situation for you. (Wonder how the "all knickers all the time" crowd is gonna react to this?)

Any fellow officials who can swap for those three games? That would be the best way out in my thoughts.

I work with two high school teachers on my crew. We do 8th grade, frosh, soph, JV games and they've never had a problem with the kids. Never. The only problems they've had is with the coaches, who are their colleagues, and those are few.

I think you should just turn back the games to avoid any problems that may become apparent. What's the big deal, why not just turn them back.

It depends on your school and community. If you think you will have problems, switch them or turn them down. I have worked all the 7th/8th grade and 9th/JV games at the school I teach at for many years and have never had a problem with players, coaches, or fans. It totally depends on what you think. It does not have to be a problem for lower level games, but is some communities it could be.

I would swap out for other games. Not worth the possible headaches.

Thanks guys.
What I left out of my first post was that I already left a message for the assigner to see about getting switched out. I wanted to get your opinion to see if I was thinking along the same lines. It would be nice to not drive to the game site at $2.60 a gallon, but I just don't want anything to happen that would damage my reputation or cause someone to question my integrity.

Wise Decision
 

The decision to have to have someone else assigned for these games was a very wise one. It is the perception of the others that would cause the problems. There could be big problems on any close call and the other teams become aware that you are a teacher at the school and coached at the school previously. You can make the best call and be congratulated on it, there will always be "He teaches at that school and coached there too"!

Good decision.

i run into the same problem somethimes. luckily in georgia is is spelled out in our code of ethics, that we cannot take these games. we will usually communicate schools we cannot work with the scheduler before the season starts.

As someone in a similar position, I agree with your decision to switch wholeheartedly. In fact, I'm teaching at a new school this year - I've asked my assignor to avoid scheduling me both at my new school and my old one.

As officials, we are held to higher standards of integrity. We need to not only avoid impropriety but also the <i>appearance</i> of impropriety. Public perception is essential to our role (which is why we need to have neat uniforms, crisp signals, etc.) - take that away, and no one derives any enjoyment from the game.

Now that I'm teaching, I wouldn't accept any games at that high school.

I'm also an alumnus of the school, and I'm the assistant AD, so I have a triple reason to not ref there. However, for me, just the first would be enough.

I never knew so many teachers refereed too!

REPLY: I agree with TxMike...nothing good can come from doing those games. The problem isn't just with your school; It also arises from the potential for your school's opponents to learn of your affiliation. Even if you do nothing wrong, the <i>perception</i> that you did will still be there. It's really a no-win situation IMHO.

All three of those are good reasons not to work a school.

You guys won't work a game at your old high school?

I don't work games at the HS I graduated at but I don't think we're even allowed to according to the bylaws. Also included are working there and if your children go there. I think there might be other reasons too but I'm not sure.

Wow, that's interesting. I know that my old HS is having an alumni football day coming up this year, and our assignor is looking to make the crew an all alumni crew for this game.

But in general we can't officiate games where school's we attend or teach at are involved. Other than that, you can work at any school. Once you graduate, you can officiate them.

from the ghsa code of conduct. . .

Being involved in any action that gives the appearance of a loss of impartiality or neutrality. No official should accept any assignment at a school where he/she graduated within the last 10 years, at a school where he/she is employed, had player-coach contact previously with any coach involved, or has relatives affiliated with a school as a student or an employee.

the complete list can be viewed at ghsa.net

Texas has a similar restriction but it only exists for 5 years after the end of the relationships. (And even then, if both coaches consent, an official who is within that 5 year window can be assigned to the game, but both coaches have to be made aware of the potential conflict before they consent.)

unfortunatly, we never have any officials that young. i feel in that category for a couple of years, but we don't have but about 4 or 5 guys under thirty now.

I wouldn't, whether there was a policy against it or not.

In a lot of cases, this has to be a personal call. For me, I only graduated 4 years ago, and I have been very involved in my school when I was there and as an alumnus. For someone who is further removed, who has moved out of town, and who wasn't overly involved in the school as a student, it may be different.

I am lucky in one regard, though - my school doesn't have a football team, so I don't have to block out any varsity (timing) assignments. ;)

Well, sure - teachers have pretty much the perfect work schedule for officiating. And you already know they like working with kids.

Unless it is a Varsity game don't worry about it. I worked JV football games where I am at and my brother in-law was the starting QB. I didn't say a word to anyone other than my brother in-law and my partners and we never had a problem. I even was the referee in the game where my brother in-law seperated his shoulder. Knew people in the stands to. Don't act like it is a problem and it most likely won't be.

I am a BJ on a Varsity crew and I have a varsity game at the same school and my brother in-law plays WR and back-up QB, I'll be doing the game and my crew has no problem with it, I asked them before I officially accepted the game.