Officiating Article

[GPC2]

Just wanted to share a couple of articles from today's newspaper (Times-Picayune, New Orleans).

http://www.nola.com/sports/t-p/index...710.xml&coll=1

http://www.nola.com/sports/t-p/index...710.xml&coll=1

[TXMike]

Hidden within the article is a telling comment that shows just how little some athletic administrators really understand our avocation. The comment by Mac Chauvin:

"Times have changed. People have changed. We're not getting the quantity of people that we used to get. We're not getting the quality of people that we used to get. We used to get doctors and lawyers and those type of (professional) people. We're not getting those people any more. " "I hope the pay raise will help us get the numbers up. If the numbers are up, then maybe we can get some quality people."
-------------------

So if you are not a doctor or lawyer you are not a "quality" person? And does anyone think this pay raise is near enough money to attract someone from those professions if the only draw is the cash????

[jaybird]

And just what makes him think that doctors and lawyers are quality people?

[Canfootball52]

Originally Posted by jaybird

And just what makes him think that doctors and lawyers are quality people?

It's not your profession that makes you a good official. It's how well you know your mechanics, how hard you work on the field, and how well you know the rules.
My local association does not have any doctor's or lawyers in its membership, but I'd say that we have many high quality officials. In my 11 years officiating, I've seen 4 of our members make their way to the proffesional level. None of them are doctors or lawyers. 3 are cops, and 1 is a University Professor.
Maybe Mr. Chauvin should step on the field himself, and see what it's like. If he did, I'm sure he would respect officials a lot more. Last week, at a professional pre-season game, a former player decided to step on the field to see what it was like. It seems like he appreciates the job much more now. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/news_story/?ID=211602&hubname=cfl

[SWFLguy]

First pay increase in 12 years !!!???
I'm amazed they kept anyone, considering increased costs in equipment/uniforms and gasoline to travel to meetings and games !
In New York we got regular increases in fees as they were "tied to" the
pay of teachers. I'm not sure of any connection like that here in Florida
--but it seems that fee increases are fairly regular since I've been down here.
I still maintain that officials fees are low and that higher fees would
increase our quantity and therefore give associations more power to
develop quality. All too many sport's official organizations are stuck putting
"bodies" on the field.

[GPC2]

I didn't necessarily get offended by that comment by Mac Chauvin, but I just wanted to clarify who he is. Chauvin is not just any athletic administrator, he is assistant commissioner of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association and one of his major responsibilities is to coordinate the officials in the state. Basically he is the top official in Louisiana.

[Canfootball52]

Originally Posted by SWFLguy

First pay increase in 12 years !!!???
I'm amazed they kept anyone, considering increased costs in equipment/uniforms and gasoline to travel to meetings and games !
In New York we got regular increases in fees as they were "tied to" the
pay of teachers. I'm not sure of any connection like that here in Florida
--but it seems that fee increases are fairly regular since I've been down here.
I still maintain that officials fees are low and that higher fees would
increase our quantity and therefore give associations more power to
develop quality. All too many sport's official organizations are stuck putting
"bodies" on the field.

If you're doing it for the money, you're doing it for the wrong reasons. I do it for the love of the game, and the friendships I've made over 11 seasons. I know it sounds cheesy, but it's true. Granted, it is nice to get a little reward for your time . Especially when you consider gas prices .
In my local association, we usually see a pay increase every 2 years. Our Executive sits down with every league that we work games for, and "negotiates" our "wages". We bill the leagues, and then our local association uses that money to pay us in December, which then gets spent on Christmas presents. Last year I earned over $1000.00 before deductions (membership dues, equipment purchases, etc.)

[TXFB&BBOff]

TXMike, This comment was not very well scripted from a PR standpoint.

However, your logic is flawed. He didnt say the only people who are quality people are doctors and lawyers. He generalized that doctors and lawyers are an example of professional people. Notice the qoute said "doctors and lawyers and those type (professional) of people". There is a third criteria mentioned.

Professionalism is the biggest problem facing Louisiana officiating. There are too many people taking matters into their own hands, not following mechanics, not enforcing rules, feeling entitled without putting in the work, and just having a bad attitude. Doctors and lawyers was surely used as a reference to the appreciation of putting your time in to achieve the top level, and adhering to strict codes of professionalism and ethics. Two things that are faining in officiating these days.
though.

[RMR]

Originally Posted by TXFB&BB

Professionalism is the biggest problem facing Louisiana officiating. There are too many people taking matters into their own hands, not following mechanics, not enforcing rules, feeling entitled without putting in the work, and just having a bad attitude. Doctors and lawyers was surely used as a reference to the appreciation of putting your time in to achieve the top level, and adhering to strict codes of professionalism and ethics. Two things that are faining in officiating these days.
though.

So how long have you been working in Louisiana that you are so familiar with our level of professionalism and our attitude?