ref96

Well deserved. Congrats Matt

Welcome to the site, Ref96.

Thanks. Glad to be here.

From a zebra's point of view:

 

It's standing on the field listening to the National Anthem with your eyes closed and your hat over your heart and butterflies in your stomach.

 

It's walking onto the field and seeing the relieved look on the face of a coach that knows he's got a great crew tonight.

 

It's the long drive to the game reviewing every detail of rules and mechanics and yet having time for a joke or two.

 

It's walking around the school or stadium looking for your locker room because the AD forgot to have someone meet you.

 

It's every story that begins with, "remember when..."

 

It's the genuine look of concern on your crew mates faces when one of your brothers has fallen, and the round of laughter shortly thereafter when it's obvious he's alright.

 

It's bringing an extra pair of socks along just in case somebody forgets theirs.

 

It's working through the sore muscles, bad knees and the smell of "Ben-Gay."

 

It's lost job wages, small game fees, and that smile on your face when someone says, "Your just doing this for the money."

 

It's the feel of your heart pounding before the coin toss as you reach into your pocket for the coin that isn't there.

 

It's finishing a 3rd grade game and having a 9 year old run up to you and sincerely say, "Thank you, Mr. Official."

 

It's having to "buy the first round" because you're the first one to get dirt on your knickers during the game.

 

It's that "one play" that happened years ago that your crew keeps talking about.

 

It's the 8 x 8 foot dressing room they give you with a shower head that barely works.

 

It's leading by the example of sportsmanship, and hoping some of that will rub off on players, coaches and other officials.

 

It's knowing that no matter what happens during the game, you'll get it right.

 

It's also knowing that the greatest sign of wisdom is realizing that you don't know everything.

 

It's Snickers bars , beef jerky and sodas made from fermented grains.

 

It's rule books, discussion boards, countless e-mails and good friends whose faces you have yet to see.

 

It's striving to be both a scholar of the rules, and a philosopher of the spirit of the game.

 

It's being perfect the first day and working to improve everyday thereafter.

 

It's when you step on the field again for the first time each new season,...... take a deep breath ......and ask yourself, "where would I rather be than right here right know?"

 

(Don't know the name of the original author, but that about sums it up).

 

offside

I agree totally offside