Are there Officials/Referees on the boneyard?

[QDOG5]

I retired last year and a friend of mine who has been a ref for many years convinced me to sign up. He said there is a ref shortage in almost all sports. Overall it has been a positive experience. I ref boys/girls basketball up to the JV level. I'm happy to stop at the JV level plus there is a wait list for refs at the varsity level. I also ref girls lacrosse and girls flag football which just became a HS sport in Illinois. I ref varsity in those sports. The higher the level the more you get yelled at. It goes with territory. I've learned a few valuable lessons in my short career. After a game is over your work is done. Don't hang around because somebody on the court/field is not happy with the result of the game. Parsing calls with the losing coach is never fun. Also, regardless of the sport more whistles is better than less whistles, especially early in a game.

 

[RuffRuff]

I retired last year and a friend of mine who has been a ref for many years convinced me to sign up. He said there is a ref shortage in almost all sports. Overall it has been a positive experience. I ref boys/girls basketball up to the JV level. I'm happy to stop at the JV level plus there is a wait list for refs at the varsity level. I also ref girls lacrosse and girls flag football which just became a HS sport in Illinois. I ref varsity in those sports. The higher the level the more you get yelled at. It goes with territory. I've learned a few valuable lessons in my short career. After a game is over your work is done. Don't hang around because somebody on the court/field is not happy with the result of the game. Parsing calls with the losing coach is never fun. Also, regardless of the sport more whistles is better than less whistles, especially early in a game.

Maybe you can be similar to the guy they have in the NFL studio during any controversial call and review, for the Boneyard. QDOG5 from Boneyard Studio.

 

[dogpause]

I started officiating in Baltimore when I was 15 years old -- the same time I realized that I had no future as a player in any sport, at any level. It was a great part time job through high schools and college. I ended up attending the MLB umpires school in Gulfport, Fl that was operated by Bill Kinnaman. My instructors included Steve Palermo, Eric Gregg, John McSherry, Joe Brinkman and Rich Garcia. Didn't get a job in pro ball, but I worked college and high school sports until I was about 30. Then life took over.

I've work baseball, basketball, soccer and a little football. I didn't really care for football because there was too much standing around. Soccer was okay but didn't like that, in my mind, everything was the death penalty. Baseball was great except you never knew what time the game would end. There was no Mercy Rule back then.

Basketball was my favorite. It was the most challenging and required the most skill.

As for your question... DO IT! You'll probably love it especially if you can think on your feet, and don't have rabbit ears. I'm 70 now, but I really miss it.

 

[Excalibur]

Did it for a while in my 20's. Might get back into it once the kids are done with High School.

 

[jake14mw]

Judging by the comments about referees on this board, I would think there aren't many here.

 

[Jaydumo20]

I retired last year and a friend of mine who has been a ref for many years convinced me to sign up. He said there is a ref shortage in almost all sports. Overall it has been a positive experience. I ref boys/girls basketball up to the JV level. I'm happy to stop at the JV level plus there is a wait list for refs at the varsity level. I also ref girls lacrosse and girls flag football which just became a HS sport in Illinois. I ref varsity in those sports. The higher the level the more you get yelled at. It goes with territory. I've learned a few valuable lessons in my short career. After a game is over your work is done. Don't hang around because somebody on the court/field is not happy with the result of the game. Parsing calls with the losing coach is never fun. Also, regardless of the sport more whistles is better than less whistles, especially early in a game.

I love this. I bet if we sat down with most BE refs and allowed them to explain what was happening on game film and why they called what they did we'd probably never complain about them again.
We'd forgive even those egregious missed calls.

 

[bluestreak]

At first I thought the post/question was about the possibility of Big East D1 refs were lurking here.

Gave me a chuckle.

 

[StllH8L8ner]

I bet if we sat down with most BE refs and allowed them to explain what was happening on game film and why they called what they did we'd probably never complain about them again.

Let’s not get crazy. Have you been in the chat room?

 

[QDOG5]

Judging by the comments about referees on this board, I would think there aren't many here.

I have to agree. I figured there would be at least a half dozen on the Yard that ref. It could be that some don't want to discuss it. I posted to start a conversation of reffing below the college level. I mean I ref but it is so far removed from any college level let alone D1 that I would never offer an opinion on guys at that level on the Yard. There are one or two BE refs that I think aren't very good and a few I think are very good. There is one ref I think is lousy and a showboat too. He used to ref BE games but doesn't anymore. He was sent to refereeing Siberia but he see he's is back the last few years. Anyone have a guess who I am talking about?

 

[uconnfan68]

I have to agree. I figured there would be at least a half dozen on the Yard that ref. It could be that some don't want to discuss it. I posted to start a conversation of reffing below the college level. I mean I ref but it is so far removed from any college level let alone D1 that I would never offer an opinion on guys at that level on the Yard. There are one or two BE refs that I think aren't very good and a few I think are very good. There is one ref I think is lousy and a showboat too. He used to ref BE games but doesn't anymore. He was sent to refereeing Siberia but he see he's is back the last few years. Anyone have a guess who I am talking about?

Ted Valentine?

 

[Dibbie]

BIG EAST Conference Announces Officially Human Partnership

On Tuesday, the BIG EAST Conference announced a new partnership with Officially Human, an organization dedicated to improving the treatment and retention of sports officials at all levels.

www.bigeast.com

Time to play nice

 

[QDOG5]

@uconnfan68 Winner winner chicken dinner.

 

[Kitaman]

Judging by the comments about referees on this board, I would think there aren't many here.

For some reason I always thought the opposite.

 

[husky429]

I took the course to be a ref and did it for a couple of years. The coach in me had a very difficult time being a ref, so I stopped.

 

[Tenspro2002]

I started officiating in Baltimore when I was 15 years old -- the same time I realized that I had no future as a player in any sport, at any level. It was a great part time job through high schools and college. I ended up attending the MLB umpires school in Gulfport, Fl that was operated by Bill Kinnaman. My instructors included Steve Palermo, Eric Gregg, John McSherry, Joe Brinkman and Rich Garcia. Didn't get a job in pro ball, but I worked college and high school sports until I was about 30. Then life took over.

I've work baseball, basketball, soccer and a little football. I didn't really care for football because there was too much standing around. Soccer was okay but didn't like that, in my mind, everything was the death penalty. Baseball was great except you never knew what time the game would end. There was no Mercy Rule back then.

Basketball was my favorite. It was the most challenging and required the most skill.

As for your question... DO IT! You'll probably love it especially if you can think on your feet, and don't have rabbit ears. I'm 70 now, but I really miss it.

That's incredible. I read a book about the umpiring school, that must have been a hell of an experience with some great stories among legends in their field.

 

[UConNation]

I'm an official for swimming at the local club level as well as USA Swimming. My kids swim all year round (as well as doing other sports) and the meets can be VERY long. I figured that since I was going to be at the pool anyways, plus I was a swimmer, that I might as well help out. I actually really like it. The only bone I have to pick is that I have to pay my annual membership to USA Swimming, pay for a periodic background check, and take a bunch of courses on concussions/abuse. All of that makes sense except for the fact that there is zero compensation. Not only do I not get paid, but I don't even get fees waived for my kids.

edit: do any other sports rely on a completely volunteer ref/officiating corps?

 

[QDOG5]

edit: do any other sports rely on a completely volunteer ref/officiating corps?

No sports that I've heard of. I'm not getting rich reffing but I would never do it as a volunteer. I do ref Special Olympic basketball on a volunteer basis.

 

[superjohn]

I'm an official for swimming at the local club level as well as USA Swimming. My kids swim all year round (as well as doing other sports) and the meets can be VERY long. I figured that since I was going to be at the pool anyways, plus I was a swimmer, that I might as well help out. I actually really like it. The only bone I have to pick is that I have to pay my annual membership to USA Swimming, pay for a periodic background check, and take a bunch of courses on concussions/abuse. All of that makes sense except for the fact that there is zero compensation. Not only do I not get paid, but I don't even get fees waived for my kids.

edit: do any other sports rely on a completely volunteer ref/officiating corps?

You're paying money to officiate swimming?

 

[dogpause]

That's incredible. I read a book about the umpiring school, that must have been a hell of an experience with some great stories among legends in their field.

It was quite an experience. One of the best things I learned, and it applies to the officiating of any sport, is to slow down your timing when making a call. Most bad calls are the result of making the call too quickly. A fraction of a second allowed for processing what you think you saw, can make a huge difference.

A real nice bunch of guys who take the game very seriously. Varied personalities too, but all exude confidence. The late Steve Palermo, who I believe was from Meriden, was my favorite, and was entering his first season in the Majors. Sadly, his field career ended when he was shot in the back following his decision to intervene and apprehend the assailants in an altercation at a Dallas restaurant parking lot.

Most multi-sport officials would probably consider basketball to be the toughest. There's incidental contact, and then there are fouls. The line between the two is very thin, and you have little time to decide because of the continuous play. Consistency is probably the one thing that all refs/umps try to strive for.

 

[Squeeze]

former iaabo board 6 basketball ref. Couldn't keep it up with babies at home. Also don't think the partners at my law firm were too pleased with me leaving at 230 on game days.

it's definitely not for everyone. i don't particularly miss 10 year old Olivia's mom yelling at me to call a travel.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

I retired last year and a friend of mine who has been a ref for many years convinced me to sign up. He said there is a ref shortage in almost all sports. Overall it has been a positive experience. I ref boys/girls basketball up to the JV level. I'm happy to stop at the JV level plus there is a wait list for refs at the varsity level. I also ref girls lacrosse and girls flag football which just became a HS sport in Illinois. I ref varsity in those sports. The higher the level the more you get yelled at. It goes with territory. I've learned a few valuable lessons in my short career. After a game is over your work is done. Don't hang around because somebody on the court/field is not happy with the result of the game. Parsing calls with the losing coach is never fun. Also, regardless of the sport more whistles is better than less whistles, especially early in a game.

I have been involved in youth basketball in the past as a coach and administrator, though not as a ref.

While the terrible outbursts get the youtube views, parents are generally pretty well behaved, in part because they don't want to end up on youtube. I remember some really bad scenes when I was growing up in the 80's, and there is not much of that anymore. The league I worked with would have 1 or 2 significant incidents a season, which meant that way over 99% of the games were handled without incident.

There are some bad refs out there too at the youth and especially high school level, so I think most sports could use some referee turnover. When a player or coach gets upset when a ref breaks into the huddle during a timeout to berate one or both, it is not really the coach or player's fault when things escalate from there. Too many of the long-time refs think they are 1990's major league umpires, provoking players and coaches.

Thank you for pitching in and making the kids' sports experience better.

 

[Stinger92860]

I’m curious to hear from the Boneyard Refs how they would react to DH if they were reffing one of his games.

 

[huskiesouth]

I’m curious to hear from the Boneyard Refs how they would react to DH if they were reffing one of his games.

I worked Division II (which back then was great competitive BB) for a decade in the 70s - 80's, stopped when the players and the game got faster and I got slower.

There were almost no coaches who tried to 'work' refs, no pretend outrage at every call, etc. One of the main goals for refs was to, if possible, not directly influence the outcome of the game. Also there were 2 refs, too busy to be chatting with anyone except the other ref and the players on the floor.

To answer your post, DH or any coach would get one warning, then one T, a second warning and then a quick exit.

 

[husky429]

I actually really like it. The only bone I have to pick is that I have to pay my annual membership to USA Swimming, pay for a periodic background check, and take a bunch of courses on concussions/abuse.

I'm going to ask the stupid question of the week. Why is a swimming coach required to take a concussion course? Slip and hit your head on the way to the locker room? I don't get it.