conflict of interest?

[bisonlj]

Originally Posted by waltjp

Alf, sometimes I think you just write crap to get a reaction. You can't be serious. Have you ever heard the term, "appearance of impropriety."

I agree Walt. I don't have a problem with an official working a game at his alma mater. If he's made it to the level of a D1 official, he's already proven several times his ability to apply good judgment. If he gets too many calls wrong, regardless of school involved, he will no longer be working at that level, let alone that school.

However, the burdon of proof for conflict of interest only has to contain an appearance of impropriety. My company has several policies based on this. If my wife owned a business that could provide a service to my department, there might be nothing illegal or unethical happening but even the appearance of impropriety prevents me from doing it. The same could definitely apply to a conference of officials.

While I don't agree with the comments in the article, I have no issue with what he wrote.

[HLin NC]

The donor booster club thing should be enough to negate him from working their games.

[waltjp]

I've seen it several times around here. The official in question may be eminently qualified to work a given game and those that know him would all agree that he can remain objective. Unfortunately, that's not the point. The point is that if any controversy arises and anyone on the outside can point to a potential bias it becomes a controversy. It's just not worth the headaches. There are plenty of games to work. Don't put yourself or your colleagues in the position to have to defend your objectivity.