I ran into someone who got back into officiating a few years this weekend and asked if he was doing it this year. He said no. He said the current setup of the random assignments had taken the 'comrade' out being an HS official. He went on to say he know of a very good long time white hat who was giving it up as well for the same reason. He added that as set crews a lot of the crews formed a good bond and enjoyed traveling to games in one car and getting to know each other and working as a team.

 

So it sounds like there is definite loss of some good officials driven at least somewhat by the random assignments.

 

Comments?

 

 

P.S. Its hard job and it has to be even harder starting out. Thanks to those who continue to do this usually thankless job and thanks to those who are stepping in to fill the need.

I ran into someone who got back into officiating a few years this weekend and asked if he was doing it this year. He said no. He said the current setup of the random assignments had taken the 'comrade' out being an HS official. He went on to say he know of a very good long time white hat who was giving it up as well for the same reason. He added that as set crews a lot of the crews formed a good bond and enjoyed traveling to games in one car and getting to know each other and working as a team.

 

So it sounds like there is definite loss of some good officials driven at least somewhat by the random assignments.

 

Comments?

 

 

P.S. Its hard job and it has to be even harder starting out. Thanks to those who continue to do this usually thankless job and thanks to those who are stepping in to fill the need.

 

I see both sides of the argument on this one. A. You form no continuity, so even if you get a big game with all of the best officials in your region, you guys have very little idea how each other operate. On the other hand, B. You could be a shining star on an awful crew and be stuck there with no hope of promotion until someone leaves. That means, for NKY officials, that you have to drive 45 minutes for a game that 100 people will be at. Officials want big games also.

I see both sides of the argument on this one. A. You form no continuity, so even if you get a big game with all of the best officials in your region, you guys have very little idea how each other operate. On the other hand, B. You could be a shining star on an awful crew and be stuck there with no hope of promotion until someone leaves. That means, for NKY officials, that you have to drive 45 minutes for a game that 100 people will be at. Officials want big games also.

 

That may be true they probably don't like it. But if you have ever coached a game with an awful crew that is bad year in and year out, you would know why its a good change. Also this loyalty and freindship they form can lead to a whole bunch of back covering, and dishonesty in games. Now each man has to be sure he worries about his own calls and integrity, not covering his buddies back, or defending him.

Did the NCAA rule that officials need to be in their game city the night before a game take a number of integrated 'crews' out of doing HS games?

 

 

Also, I see both point points above. I just always remember there are 4 stages to teaming - forming, storming, norming and performing. When you have a new 'team' make every single week they seem to spend most of the game in the storming stage.

Did the NCAA rule that officials need to be in their game city the night before a game take a number of integrated 'crews' out of doing HS games?

 

 

Also, I see both point points above. I just always remember there are 4 stages to teaming - forming, storming, norming and performing. When you have a new 'team' make every single week they seem to spend most of the game in the storming stage.

 

To your first point I would say yes to a point. KY has been blessed that a good # of officials have moved up to cover college games, the bad part in that is that they most of the time can not do there normal Friday night games in HS now. (that all depends on scheduling and each conferences rules in college.)

My buddy is a ref I haven't heard him complain about it yet.