Low Standards

[hab_in_exile]

I moved recently and the officials in the new town are terrible. They show up for games 30-45 seconds before kickoff, don't wear knickers, count the line by moving into the backfield, and other atrocities. The worst thing is that they don't seem to see a problem with this. I am at a bit of a loss as to how to approach them over the summer with some suggestions. Got any ideas?

[ABoselli]

You found Derock's group, huh? Tough break.

But enough about that - is that the only association in the area?

[Bob M.]

How many officials in this association? Is it ALL of them, a majority of them, or maybe just the few you've had contact with so for. Seems like an opportunity for you to "bring light into the darkness." Good luck...

[hab_in_exile]

This is the whole association. The entire association is one crew! The next closest association is a 4 hour drive away!
Help!

[mikesears]

Originally posted by hab_in_exile
This is the whole association. The entire association is one crew! The next closest association is a 4 hour drive away!
Help!

Is there some body governing them? Like a State Association? I can only think of a couple of places big enough where the next association would be a 4 hour drive. Where is this?

[Mike Simonds]

What I would do is to keep a low profile. Don't try to rock the boat. Don't let their bad habits get you rattled. Lead by example. Make sure your mechanics, rules knowledge, professional appearance, etc. are stellar. Perhaps you will find one or two converts and then together you can change the attitude of your group.

Like the good book says, place your lamp on a hilltop; don't hide it under a bushel basket. But above all, be polite and humble. In good time you will uplift the entire group to a higher standard.

Here is a poem by William Blake about bringing light to the darkness and the power of creative change:

Tyger, tyger burning bright,
In the forest of the night,
What immortal hand or eye,
Could frame thy fearful symetry?

In what distant deeps or skies,
Burnt the fire of thine eyes,
On what wings dare he aspire,
What the hand dare seize the fire?

And what shoulder and what art,
Could twist the sinews of thy heart,
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand and what dread feet?

What the anvil, what the chain,
In what furnace was thy brain,
What the hammer, what dread clasp,
Did thy deadly terrors grasp?

And when the stars threw down their spears,
And watered heaven with their tears,
Did He smile His work to see,
Did He who made the Lamb, make thee?

Tyger, tyger burning bright,
In the forest of the night,
What immortal hand or eye,
Dare frame thy fearful symetry?

[SWFLguy]

I guess I was lucky--- when I moved here from
CNY after 32 years of high school football officiating,
I was not going to try and break in here-- I'm glad I met
a couple of guys who talked me into it-- I found the
local association here to be every bit as professional
as the Syracuse Chapter I came from !
I had a lot of fun last year and plan to do it again.

[ABoselli]

I thought you'd trot out "Do Not Go Gently Into That Good Night". How about some haiku? Nothing like a good haiku.

[hab_in_exile]

Hey
Ref You
Are So Blind
Your ability
Is questionable
Knight

[ABoselli]

Now we're cookin...


Players fail
protestations ensue
futile

[Edited by ABoselli on Feb 13th, 2003 at 08:17 PM]

[Mike Simonds]

Zebra skinned high priests
Guide young passions to the light
Upon green altars

[AndrewMcCarthy]

Poor Mister Derock
He Finally Finds His Rule Book
Yet He Is Still Lost

[ABoselli]

see how liberating this is...????

[ABoselli]

Forward pass arching
high to waiting ineligible A
flag drops

I didn't have the required 17 syllables previously. Rookie mistake.

[jfurdell]

Coach up in my face;
claims my parents were in-bred.
Oops, is that my flag?

Take care with whistle
until ball is dead, lest you
kill the play premat-

Striped hat, knee-high socks;
White shorts during scrimmages;
I look retarded.