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.

 

I completely agree with your assessment! I think there is way too much emphasis on winning/losing but I'm not certain who is in control of that. If your team gets to the regional tournament your program receives a significant amount of money, the player gets recognition. That could be new uniforms, basketballs, travel money, scholarship offer, and those are the things at stake. The impact may be even greater for a coach who doesn't win.

I would personally like to thank the ukcatsfan for his posting. I never comment on any postings and only read them to get info on the ballgames and players. I am an official of 11yrs and that post was the nicest post and the best compliment I have ever had. It was also the most correct comments I have ever read. I played ball my whole life and hated officials myself when I played, but after growing up into an adult and becoming an official I understand what they went thru to allow me to play the greatest game of all, basketball. I will be the first to admit we(officials) miss calls have bad games, etc. But we do it so your kids can enjoy a wonderful game and grow as human beings from winning and losing. Because life is full of ups and downs just like basketball. I'm also a parent of two myself that I hope someday can enjoy the game so I hope new young officials come along and take care of the job. So once again thanks a million for the compliment, you dont really know how much it means. I posted this from my friends computer after reading the posts , thanks.

It really gets to me when someone says "The refs cost us the game". If you look back there is much more to a loss than a blown call here or there.

 

How about the 5 or 6 free throws a team missed? Did that change the outcome of the game? Or what about the 3 or 4 bad passes that went sailing out of bounds? Or the missed shots in the lane? I think you get my point.

 

Yes officials do miss a call every now and again. But they get a lot more correct than they miss.

Salute!

 

Thanks Officials.

 

:thumb:

I for one do know how hard it is to officate a game, sometimes I forget that, but I can tell you even if your officating at your own almamater it doesn't get any easier the fans are on you as if your were an outsider maybe even more so cause they expect you to call it more the home teams way more then the visiting team. So to the veterans out there I give you a heart felt thank you for the hardest job ever, and you have my respect.

I've always been pretty tough on 9th Region officials in the past and although I think they have improved I do believe they of course have a ways to go.

With that said I do get to me a number of them in the position that I am in and they are all pretty nice guys/gals and a pleasure to talk to and deal with. I'm not one to yell at them during games as some do. The job isn't easy and they need to be thanked for taking the time to do the job..It sure isn't easy..

Great thread!

 

It's good to see some credit given to officials. I usually find myself defending them on these threads. It's so easy to criticize. And most of the criticisms show ignorance more than anything else.

 

It's funny. I was going to post my first negative comments on officiating based on a game I saw last night. Having seen this thread, I'll keep it to myself.

 

Kudos to the officials !!!

First off, I'm not sure I'd officiate/umpire if I was getting paid hundreds of dollars per game. Props to them.

 

Second, I think a lot of opinions would change if people sat through a game that every single foul was called, whether it's a touch foul or a mauling. Enjoy that waste of five hours of your life.

Great point stickymitts

Eagle 8, I understand what you are saying but if people think that they don't do a good job, do something about it. Come out and do it yourself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Allsportfan, you deserve every bit of it and more. This post was meant to give appreciation to our local officials who work really hard so your sons and daughters can play the sports they love because without them, they would not get to play. Eagle, if you want to come on this thread and voice your opinion on how bad you THINK they are, please go start another because this one is for appreciation.

I have gotten a FEW PV about this thread and the subject it pertains too. I have been accused of self promotion, patting myself on the back, and sucking up just to name a FEW. Everybody is intitled to their opinion, say what you want but this thread was only meant to give appreciation. I have been a football official for 11 years and a basketball official for a couple, and in basketball games officials take more abuse than in any other sport. Some people are just ruthless to these guys and I just wanted to give them a little recognition on a public forum, that's all. Some people do appreciate what they do and have a great deal of respect for these men and women. I just wanted them to know this, and there was no hidden agenda. OK.

Let me start off by saying that I hate most officials.......That being said I Don't want their job and know that I couldn't do as good a job as most of them. I had to referee a little kids tourney all day and I realize that they perform a thankless job for little money. For that I say thank you

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.

Thank you for always being so positive. You have the nicest things to say about everyone. I enjoy you.

Thank you for always being so positive. You have the nicest things to say about everyone. I enjoy you.

 

 

Thank you, the feeling is mutual Goldstar. :thumb: