UKCATSFAN

The problem with that scenerio is with the assigner, if he is allowing the AD's to influence him/her than he needs to be replaced. There are several reasons why we can not get new officials to come out and the number 1 reason is the way officials are treated. In my local association, not only basketball but football also, we have had success getting people to come out. The problem is getting them to stay. They are ran off from idiot fans who treat them worst than their dogs. Training for officials is better now than it ever has been in the past. Officials have more resources at their hands, they only have to seek it. There are camps everywhere all year long as well as tons of training online and on video. In our area we have an NCAA official assigning us and who better to be an evaluator than that? I'm not saying that all regions are perfect and I do know some places still play politics with officials and it is very unfortunate but overall it is the best system. The other alternative is for officials to get games themselves and I hope you can see the problem with that process. The KHSAA uses the same process that most states and every other major officiating community uses because it's proven. What would you suggest the KHSAA do?

Condescending attitude? :rolleyes:I have been nothing but respectful to your opinion. It is just that, an opinion. I was trying to inform you of something that I know a great deal about. Are you too big-headed to be informed of something? I'm glad you have a great relationship with MANY officials, I wish more fans did but it doesn't make you an evaluator or know what's best for officials. I told you many times that I understood your point and I do but I was just trying to INFORM you of why the process was the best overall process. My apologies, I thought we were all adults here and I thought someone could handle being informed of something from someone who has a great deal of experience in the subject. I guess not!! (sarcasm)

What process would you advise? im not being argumentative, I'm honestly wondering. Athletic directors have nothing to do with an official calling a varsity game. If that is the case in your region than the problem is with the assigner and not the KHSAA. I know many people believe that they could jump out on the court from the stands and call a game on the varsity level but it just doesn't happen. A person may think he/she can but that is just unrealistic. The job is so much more difficult than some fans think. Calling a foul or a travel is just one aspect of the job. Your judgement is just one aspect of the job. It takes a least 2 years be able to call at that level. It used to take longer but now-a-days with the training that officials have availible it doesn't take as long but it still takes time. I'm not sure about your region but most regions have an assigner who does the right thing by his officials. The other method used by some states like Ohio is much different and an official is likely to be at the lower levels longer than with states who use assigners. In Ohio the officials get the games themselves which IMO is not good at all. They sign contracts with schools as independent contractors and I think it tends to be perceived as "home cooking". The KHSAA uses the same method as the NCAA and it works great if you have the right people doing the job.

The KHSAA is always looking for new officials!! Come on out!

:rolleyes:I've tried to have a discussion with you on this issue and it's become obvious to me that you just want to argue and be sarcastic. I told you that I understood your point and I too want the very best rated every year BUT I understand the reasoning behind this process. I understand that they do take the best in the state, not always the top rated but they are still the best and very capable of doing the job. As an official myself, I see and know certain things that the "fans" do not see or know. I know how politics SOMETIMES plays a role in ratings and sometimes the ratings do not indicate the best official or even the worst official for that matter. I also know that there are officials who work very hard and are very capable of calling the Sweet 16 who deserve a chance to do so in their career. I have tried to inform you of some of the issues that Mr. Boucher and other official take into account but you have not been receptive. These are things that i KNOW about from years of experience in officiating but you don't care so I'm done with you and this discussion. :thumb:

Just because Coldiron didn't go that doesn't mean that the official who went in his place isn't capable and isn't one of the best from that region. I know what you are saying, I completely understand it but Boucher's process is the best way to do it. There are so many different things that he has to think about for the overall good of the state officials and to ensure that he has good officials in the future.

I don't know the 8th region assigner personally but I do know how the process is throughout the state in every region. You have your opinion, I'm not trying to change your mind about this. I know that it's a proven process for the OVERALL future and to insure great officials in the future. What would happen in 10 years after these officials retired? It would be a mess! To have 16 brand new officials at the State tourney would be disasterous. In a perfect world you would love to have the same officials year after year but it's a horrible plan for the tournament in 10 yrs. I don't see why some people can't see this.

Fortunately, the fans don't rate the officials. The officials are rated by the coaches and assigners. In our region, the officials are given a rating based on 80% coaches rating and 20% assigners. The coaches determine the rating and I'd say that the highest rated officials from the 8th are calling either.

In normal circumstances in a tourney, you would think that it would have came down to the official's decision on the court. If the officials did not eject him for his actions, whether it was the right call or not, the KHSAA wouldn't suspend a player if he didn't even get ejected from the game with which the infraction occured. The know that the KHSAA could suspend a player for his/her actions on the court after investigating the situation but then again they're there at the state tourney so there would be no need to investigate. But then again, I guess the KHSAA can do whatever it wants. They answer to themselves. I didn't see what happened, I wasn't there but the rule calls for an ejection for leaving the bench. However the officials at state do not have the luxury of instant replay and fans have alot better view of the court. not sure what exactly happened but I wouldn't think not having any guts had anything to do with it. If they thought he left the bench to fight then I'd say they would have ejected him. The officails at that level know that rule, I'm sure. They would have never worked another Sweet 16 if they just ignored a rule by choice. Boucher would have sent them home right after the game never to call another game at Rupp. So, my guess is that they ruled he did not leave. But then again, why the technical? WHo was it on?

It's not the same thing as letting the regional runner-up go or any other scenerio you've listed. I completely understand your point, I do but it's just not realistic if you want to have good officials in the future. How do you think these guys that are the best became the best? From this exact process. You're right, this is the STATE tournament and unfortunately working district and regionals games are not the same. These guys are the best in the state. Boucher would not choose the official if he didn't think that he/she was capable of calling at the state tourney level. He also has a girl's tourney to think about and they deserve the best also. It's a delicate process when choosing what official goes where. When he says that he doesn't like using the same official over and over again part of it is because that official may be doing the girl's tournament instead. He has many different variables that he has to think of when choosing these officials but I'm sure he's going to pick the best officials in the state to call both tournaments.

Marla Gearhart was supposed to call the tourney but she got an even better opportunity and couldn't make it. She was selected to call the NAIA national championship game.

I think that's a little bit different. Of course you want the best and these guys are the best in the state but you also want to make sure that you have the best in the future. In officiating, younger guys are put with older veterans to mentor them. You wouldn't want 3 officials who are each having their 1st experience in the tourney, would you? The assigners put 2 vets with a new guy, that's the best overall way to insure the best officials in the future. Like I stated, if you didn't do this then in about 10 years you would have 16 officials who were each having their first experience at the Sweet 16. I don't think anyone would want that. Sure, in a perfect world you would love to have a 25 yrs vet at each position in each game and never miss a call but it's just not realistic. There is a reason why assigners throughout the nation use this type of system because it's proven. No process is perfect but this is the best overall process for the future of officiating.

It's absolutely hilarious to read these posts obout the officiating!! Depending on who you rooted for, the officials missed calls for your schools. One side says the officials favored Mason, the other says the officials favored Elliott. It just goes to show you that fans see what they want to see. They see calls "missed" on their team but they don't see the same "missed" calls on the other end.

Welcome to Preps Next!! I do feel like Russell is still about 3 or 4 years away from being a contender again. I do though feel you are correct about them improving next year but there is only one way to go from this year. LOL!! I know the players who you speak of and I think they can be good players in their time if developed. It's going to be a long road back to the top for the Devils and I hope they can get a coach who can develope the players coming up. They do have some good young talent and they need someone who can develope them to their potential. Unless some help comes in the form of transfers, I think it's going to be at least 3 yrs before the Devils are factors again in the region.

My point exactly!!! People keep saying this but they are just showing a lack of knowledge of the situation. With excluding Ferguson and Mabery(who both played many mins every game), most of the current Russell roster didn't even play JV, much less varsity.

I don't think that's fair at all. Now I'm not bashing the current Russell roster but there isn't much talent on that team. You may be able to teach kids to be more fundlementally sound and may be able to improve them but you cannot teach talent. You are forgetting that Russell lost something like the top 11 players. It's very difficult to get kids beyond that point significant minutes during a game, much less throughout the season. Even if you take out the starting 5, you have 6 other players who have sweated and worked hard for the team who deserve playing time as well. Sure, you still want to prepare kids for the upcoming years but it's difficult when they are that far back on the bench and most didn't even play JV, much less varsity. This isn't an attempt of me taking up for Coach Dodd at all, it's just my observation of a situation. But saying that his lack of preparation of the upcoming players is just unfair, it's a unique situation.

The need for the move was not basketball related but the whereabouts of the move is an obvious basketball decision. I don't have a problem in the world with that and I don't think anyone else should either. Who wouldn't put their son/daughter in the best possible situation if the opportunity presented itself. I think everyone would. This is a great choice from a basketball standpoint for Dakotah. He'll be on a state championship caliber team, he'll play better competition and thus become better himself, he's close to UK, and he'll be able to play the UK players come summer time just to name a few advantages of him leaving. It's a no-brainer if you ask me. I think Clay has done everything in his power to help his son become the best player that he can become. I ran into Dakotah, Jackson, and some friends last night and I wished him the very best at Scott County. He's a really good kid and I think he can be very succesful at the next level and this move will only help him reach his potential.

If the rumor is true, I think Merle would be a fantastic choice for the job. I think he's a very good coach and he knows the game well. Kidwell would do a fine job if hired.

Oh, he's been around BGP for awhile. Lurking from the outside with prying eyes!! He doesn't post much but I'm sure he wanted to share his experiences with Mike. Mike, Turk, and I have called many many games with Mike. I cannot say enough about Mike as a person. He was a loyal, compassionate, and genuine friend who I will miss a great deal. It will be weird walking onto the field, diamond, or court knowing that he is no longer with us.

IKudos to Clay Euton for doing what is best for his child and not worrying about the negative talk to is sure to follow. I don't think there is any question that this is the best move for Dakotah. He will be able to be close to the UK program, play with UK players in the off-season, and play against better competition throughout the season. That will only help him become a better player in the long run and a better contributor at UK and I think that is the most important thing for the Eutons. While I'll miss watching him play and officiating his games(just 1 this year) and the reconigtion to the 16th region would have been great next year with Rose Hill and Elliott, I think this is the best move for Dakotah and that's the only interest for Clay Euton.

God speed my friend!! He's playing baseball with his brother right now, I'd bet anything! Or calling the game from behind the plate!!

Longtime local sports official Mike Grimm passed away Sunday of cancer. Mike was a longtime football, baseball, and basketball official for the area. I called on the same varsity crew with him this past year in football and enjoyed every minute. He gave countless hours of his free time to local JFL leagues, little leagues, and Bath Ruth leagues. He had the sometimes overwhelming task of providing officials for several leagues throughout the area to insure that the kids got to play every game. He was just a fantastic person and friend who will be missed tremendously and his loss will be felt for years to come in local sports.

Longtime local sports official Mike Grimm passed away Sunday of cancer. MIke was a longtime football, baseball, and basketball official for the area. I called on the same varsity crew as him this past year in football and enjoyed every minute. He gave countless hours of his free time to local JFL leagues, little leagues, and Bath Ruth leagues. He had the sometimes overwhelming task of providing officials for several leagues throughout the area to insure that the kids could play. He was just a fantastic person and friend who will be missed tremendously and his loss will be felt for years to come in local sports.

If I understand the rules correctly, a move would allow a kid to keep his/her eligability intact for the upcoming year but the KHSAA can interfere if they feel the move is solely for athletic gain.

How do these threads always turn into a bashing party on officials. The KHSAA is always looking for new officials if you don't like the job their doing.