This thread is just meant to give appreciation to local officials who work really hard for local basketball. I just want to thank the officials for the very difficult job they do that many people would have no part of. People do not realize the hard work that is put in before and during the season. Many people wonder why they do it? Is it for the money? Well, I doubt that very seriously because they hardly make anything after the expenses they pay just to get to the game. Many of these officials drive an hour or two just to get there. Is it for the exercise? No, they could get that at the YMCA. Is is for the position of power? I don't think so. They do it for the kids. Whether you believe it or not, these officials care deeply for the area kids as a whole. They do not care about the school colors or the school mascot, they only care about the boys and girls being able to play the game they love. But mostly they do it because they love the game and they want to give something back to a game that has given them so much in their lifetime. You must truely love something to take quality time away from your family and friends for just a little pocket change. They lose countless hours with their families so that your sons and daughters can do what they love to do, and people just scream at them like they are dogs. Most people talk to their dogs in a better manner than they do officials. And you may think they cheat or that they didn't call a foul because the official's brother's best friend's aunt's cousin ran over the officials dog or whatever the case may be but that's not true. They do make mistakes, they do miss calls, and they have bad games but they do not cheat. Everyone makes mistakes, and sometimes they are big mistakes, but who doesn't. They will be the first to tell you that they are not perfect and sometimes they have bad games. But overall I think they do a wonderful job of officiating our local sports. We have some of the best officials in the state right here in the 16th region, so next time you feel like ripping one of these officials a new butt, just remember that they are doing the best job they can and they are the best around at what they do. It is a lot easier to call a game from the bleachers or the benches than it is on the court. They are brave men and women with high integrity and character to put up with what they put up with. They are the first to be criticized and the last to be congratulated. I just don't want them to feel like their contributions to the local sports goes unappreciated because it doesn't, I and many others greatly appreciate the hard work. Thank you for your hard work and the time you lose with your families, it doesn't go unreconized.

Very good post. When I coached, I made it a point to shake the officials hands after the game win or lose. I still do it now when I get a chance after my son's and nephew's games at Union College.

nWo, you would be surprised to know how much that means to an official. A couple thank yous in a thankless job means a great deal.

I have disagreed with an officials call and have voiced my opinion but, when the game was over the disagreement stayed on the field.

 

I had a running joke with one football official that no matter where he saw me he would tell me to be quiet or he would throw a flag.

 

It is a thankless job and I salute anyone who does it.

People just don't know all about them. So you summed it all up there. So when you are yelling at a ref, think if it was you!

Everyone knows that it is a tough job and that is why they are paid to do it. The players have a tough job and when they make a mistake someone may yell at them. When a coach makes a mistake someone may yell at them. When the PA makes a mistake someone may yell at them. When the custodian makes a mistake someone may yell at him...do you get the point? 16th region games have turned into a wrestling match and the most common excuse is that we need 3 officials. OK, we do have some very good officials in the 16th but on the ball play is too physical. Bad referees are like bad players, coaches, and custodians...they should not be in position to determine the outcome of a game. Players graduate, coaches get fired, custodians...well they get promoted, and referees move from JV to Varsity regardless of their ability to "cut the mustard". They are all probably good people but there is a lot at stake in high school athletics and criticism comes with the territory...like it or not!

Eagle 8, if you are such a evaluator of talent for officials, go out there and do it yourself. If not, don't act like you know how tough their job is because you have no idea.

Oh, by the way, they do not get promoted from JV to varsity if they can't " Cut the mustard" . Whatever that means.

Eagle you say "there is a lot at stake in high school athletics". Could you elaborate just a bit? In my humble opinion too many folks have their priorities way out of line. If you believe so much is riding on the outcome of any high school sporting event you are one of those people. To play high school sports is a privilege not a right. It is a sideline to the entire purpose of high school. Granted some valuable lessons are learned from sports but I fear these days our children get more bad examples from sports than good. I LOVE high school sports but way to much importance is being placed on it.

 

Speaking as a sports official, I expect the criticism and can seperate the constructive criticism from the childish whining of mommies and daddy's who have no knowledge of the rules. If you look up the definition of critic you will see that a critic is one who can give a "reasoned" opinion on any matter. If mommy and daddy would spend just a wee bit of time learning the rules of the sport Junior decides to play then maybe they wouldnt embarass themselves so often. The officials at which you are so quick to cast stones spend countless hours learning the rules, studying the rules and learning to enforce and interpret them. I dont expect the average fan to get so involved but atleast grab a rule book and hit the highlights. Who knows maybe Junior would appreciate you having a more informed opinion when you scream to the top of your lungs over a "mistake"..........Atleast you could save the kid some embarassment even if you dont care to look like a fool. Eagle I dont direct these comments specifically at you I am just speaking in general terms.

Eagle you say "there is a lot at stake in high school athletics". Could you elaborate just a bit? In my humble opinion too many folks have their priorities way out of line. If you believe so much is riding on the outcome of any high school sporting event you are one of those people. To play high school sports is a privilege not a right. It is a sideline to the entire purpose of high school. Granted some valuable lessons are learned from sports but I fear these days our children get more bad examples from sports than good. I LOVE high school sports but way to much importance is being placed on it.

 

Speaking as a sports official, I expect the criticism and can seperate the constructive criticism from the childish whining of mommies and daddy's who have no knowledge of the rules. If you look up the definition of critic you will see that a critic is one who can give a "reasoned" opinion on any matter. If mommy and daddy would spend just a wee bit of time learning the rules of the sport Junior decides to play then maybe they wouldnt embarass themselves so often. The officials at which you are so quick to cast stones spend countless hours learning the rules, studying the rules and learning to enforce and interpret them. I dont expect the average fan to get so involved but atleast grab a rule book and hit the highlights. Who knows maybe Junior would appreciate you having a more informed opinion when you scream to the top of your lungs over a "mistake"..........Atleast you could save the kid some embarassment even if you dont care to look like a fool. Eagle I dont direct these comments specifically at you I am just speaking in general terms.

 

 

:thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :ylsuper: :ylsuper:

Everyone knows that it is a tough job and that is why they are paid to do it. The players have a tough job and when they make a mistake someone may yell at them. When a coach makes a mistake someone may yell at them. When the PA makes a mistake someone may yell at them. When the custodian makes a mistake someone may yell at him...do you get the point? 16th region games have turned into a wrestling match and the most common excuse is that we need 3 officials. OK, we do have some very good officials in the 16th but on the ball play is too physical. Bad referees are like bad players, coaches, and custodians...they should not be in position to determine the outcome of a game. Players graduate, coaches get fired, custodians...well they get promoted, and referees move from JV to Varsity regardless of their ability to "cut the mustard". They are all probably good people but there is a lot at stake in high school athletics and criticism comes with the territory...like it or not!

 

Hard to believe it actually took 6 posts in an official thanks thread before someone started dogging them again.

I respect anyone who does the job - as I would not do it. The thing is - you just can rarely find a good one. I'm not dogging or digging at any specific refs - but highschool officiating is just...terrible for the most part. I wouldnt do it because of that reason. My awareness isnt what it used to be - so I would not try to ref a game when I wasnt capable.

 

If it's possible we could compare it to brain surgery. You respect anyone who gives it a shot - but when it comes down to it - if it's your brain on the line - youre going to want the most qualified doing your operation. It's the same way in officiating. You want the most qualified to officate yours/your schools/ your kid's games and typically youre not going to get the most qualified - so it's easy to use that person as a nice fill in in the blame game.

 

 

Again though - all that said...anyone who gives it a shot should be comended. They all got better gaul than I....and obviously better skills at blocking people out.

Hard to believe it actually took 6 posts in an official thanks thread before someone started dogging them again.

I was wondering how long it would take when I first saw the thread.

 

If it's possible we could compare it to brain surgery. You respect anyone who gives it a shot - but when it comes down to it - if it's your brain on the line - youre going to want the most qualified doing your operation. It's the same way in officiating. You want the most qualified to officate yours/your schools/ your kid's games and typically youre not going to get the most qualified - so it's easy to use that person as a nice fill in in the blame game.

 

 

 

This sums up a true fan. They are comparing reffin a high school game to brain surgery. This week's sign that the apocolypse(sp?) is upon us.

Eagle 8, if you are such a evaluator of talent for officials, go out there and do it yourself. If not, don't act like you know how tough their job is because you have no idea.

 

I made no evaluation of officials other than all are not good and should not be doing varsity games. I also referred to bad coaches, bad players, and bad custodians. It is well documented that there is a shortage of officials in the 16th region and there are guys who have no business doing a varsity game sitting on 3 man crews. Players/coaches/parents put in an incredible amount of time and money into high school athletics and deserve the very best in officiating. Again, I'm not saying that these guys are bad guys, and I believe they are doing the best they can but some can not "cut the mustard". For UKCATSFAN this means that you are not gettin' it done! The point of my previous was to point out that the criticism comes with the territory. (for everyone coaches, players etc.) UKCATSFAN, I have officiated many, many games in both baseball and basketball without patting myself on the back on this website.