Average retiring age for officials??

[Jim D.]

65? A guy 60 in good shape can still get around the field. A guy 70 probably can't so somewhere around 65 seems like a good point to think about it and try and get some outside advise.

To all those kiddies out there that think anything over 45 is ancient, a 50 or 60 year old can perform at the same level officiating-wise as a 35 year old. The big difference is how long they can sustain the level of activity (certainly long enough for a football game) and the recovery time needed between games.

Obviously there are tremendous differences between individuals.

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by Jim D.

65?
To all those kiddies out there that think anything over 45 is ancient, a 50 or 60 year old can perform at the same level officiating-wise as a 35 year old. The big difference is how long they can sustain the level of activity (certainly long enough for a football game) and the recovery time needed between games.

You might also consider the words of the great philosopher, Yogi Berra, in suggesting some things, baseball or football officiating, "90% mental and the other half physical".

Football has distinctly different levels. Many officials start at the youth league levels, progress up to and through High School competition and some have the flexibility to continue at the Collegiate level and even above. A career as a good football official doesn't have to come to an abrupt end.

Competent officials, whose physical abilities might be waning, can still contribute considerable value to the game revisiting lower levels, where experienced, competent officials who may well be at the top of their mental game are always in great demand. Plus it can still be as much fun as it ever was, at a little slower pace.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Jim D.

65? A guy 60 in good shape can still get around the field. A guy 70 probably can't so somewhere around 65 seems like a good point to think about it and try and get some outside advise.

To all those kiddies out there that think anything over 45 is ancient, a 50 or 60 year old can perform at the same level officiating-wise as a 35 year old. The big difference is how long they can sustain the level of activity (certainly long enough for a football game) and the recovery time needed between games.

Obviously there are tremendous differences between individuals.

If there are tremendous differences among individuals, why think that everyone should "think about" retiring at 65? That will be too old for some and too young for others.

Who cares what the average age is? How would that provide any guidance for anyone making this decision?

[Jim D.]

Originally Posted by mbyron

If there are tremendous differences among individuals, why think that everyone should "think about" retiring at 65? That will be too old for some and too young for others.

Who cares what the average age is? How would that provide any guidance for anyone making this decision?

I didn't mean it in a bad way - In answer to the original question, I suggested it as good time to take a look at yourself and see where you are. It's a time to make an assessment, not a suggested date to think about retiring.

Some guys leave too early when they have a lot of good years left, and some hang on too long. Even if you feel good now, I think it's probably a good idea to set a target date when you will try and do an honest assessment of where you are and what you should do. As ajmc mentioned, maybe it's moving to a different level or a different role.

[mick]

Originally Posted by Jim D.

I didn't mean it in a bad way - In answer to the original question, I suggested it as good time to take a look at yourself and see where you are. It's a time to make an assessment, not a suggested date to think about retiring.

Some guys leave too early when they have a lot of good years left, and some hang on too long. Even if you feel good now, I think it's probably a good idea to set a target date when you will try and do an honest assessment of where you are and what you should do. As ajmc mentioned, maybe it's moving to a different level or a different role.

What is your target date, level, role ?

[Jim D.]

Originally Posted by mick

What is your target date, level, role ?

I'm hitting a milestone age in a few years. At that time I'm going to decide what to do next - whether to continue to officiate and set a new target date for later on, quit cold turkey or maybe become an observer. Obviously the biggest factor will be my health - can I keep up with the play, how are my knees, things like that. And do I still enjoy it. Another factor may be our crew. We are all about the same age (which is not a good thing for a crew), but will we continue as a crew? Maybe if the other guys quit, I may too.

I think the hardest thing will be to make/get an objective opinion on what kind of job I'm doing. I suspect it would be very easy to kid myself.