Now that I got your attention with the title of this thread, the worst job in high school football is being a VHSL Official. Yes folks, the ole Zebra', the ole refs, the ole guy that can't see, the ole guy that being paid to much. That is who I am talking about. Let's just take a moment, and reflect some on these ole guys. Who are they?
Where did they come from? One thing for sure, a football game can not be played without them ole guys on the field. I'll just call them the refs. I worked with several refs for many years. Refs usually work with their crews of officials of 4-5.i.e. umpire, referee, lineman, back judge, and time keeper. Most of the time are from the same area, and travel together. They are certified by the VHSL. They are assigned a game by the head of officials from the VHSL. Each year, the refs are schooled on new rules, and rules changes by the VHSL. As for pay, well it is not much. Several years back, it was about $ 50 bucks a game, and is probably not much more today. If there is a ref or AD reading this, please feel free to tell us. Each school pays the officials. It comes out of the gate receipts from each game. The refs are good people, that have a love for the game of football. Some refs do football and basketball. I ask which one was the favorite, and most chose football because in basketball, the crowd is right upon you, and you can hear all the crowd noise, and those insults from the fans. In football, you are away from the crowd, and hear only the noise as boos or a loud racket in the background.
Most of the refs played the sport either in high school or college, or both. The guys take their jobs very seriously. They love the game, just like you and me. They are part of the game, and do their jobs to the best of their ability. Now, lets talk about the bad calls, the missed calls, the flag happy ref, the ref that is blind, the ref that is being paid too much. Yeh, those guys, the one in the black and white usually. Yes we all have seen the bad call, or the missed call. We all have seen the call that penalized the team for holding, and cost our team a TD. Well, 9 times out of 10, the calls was right. But, these refs are human, and they do make mistakes, and sometimes the call is a bad call. A call that could be called on every play, i.e. Holding.
As a fan, we hate to see the game itself, takinn' over by the refs. Flags on just about every play. My goodness, what a mess and miserable time it is for everyone.
I going to suggest something. The next game you are at, take just a few minutes and go by where the refs are warming up, and say a few kind words...i.e. Hello, ref, have a good game, good to see you, say something positive to the guy. He has a very important role to play. I think the refs will appreciate the words of friendship, and realize we are thankful of his work. My take on officiating is what it is, nothing more than my opinion, not to minimize or maximize their roles of the game. Hey, we are just fans of the game, nothing more, nothing less My Friends !
Where did they come from? One thing for sure, a football game can not be played without them ole guys on the field. I'll just call them the refs. I worked with several refs for many years. Refs usually work with their crews of officials of 4-5.i.e. umpire, referee, lineman, back judge, and time keeper. Most of the time are from the same area, and travel together. They are certified by the VHSL. They are assigned a game by the head of officials from the VHSL. Each year, the refs are schooled on new rules, and rules changes by the VHSL. As for pay, well it is not much. Several years back, it was about $ 50 bucks a game, and is probably not much more today. If there is a ref or AD reading this, please feel free to tell us. Each school pays the officials. It comes out of the gate receipts from each game. The refs are good people, that have a love for the game of football. Some refs do football and basketball. I ask which one was the favorite, and most chose football because in basketball, the crowd is right upon you, and you can hear all the crowd noise, and those insults from the fans. In football, you are away from the crowd, and hear only the noise as boos or a loud racket in the background.
Most of the refs played the sport either in high school or college, or both. The guys take their jobs very seriously. They love the game, just like you and me. They are part of the game, and do their jobs to the best of their ability. Now, lets talk about the bad calls, the missed calls, the flag happy ref, the ref that is blind, the ref that is being paid too much. Yeh, those guys, the one in the black and white usually. Yes we all have seen the bad call, or the missed call. We all have seen the call that penalized the team for holding, and cost our team a TD. Well, 9 times out of 10, the calls was right. But, these refs are human, and they do make mistakes, and sometimes the call is a bad call. A call that could be called on every play, i.e. Holding.
As a fan, we hate to see the game itself, takinn' over by the refs. Flags on just about every play. My goodness, what a mess and miserable time it is for everyone.
I going to suggest something. The next game you are at, take just a few minutes and go by where the refs are warming up, and say a few kind words...i.e. Hello, ref, have a good game, good to see you, say something positive to the guy. He has a very important role to play. I think the refs will appreciate the words of friendship, and realize we are thankful of his work. My take on officiating is what it is, nothing more than my opinion, not to minimize or maximize their roles of the game. Hey, we are just fans of the game, nothing more, nothing less My Friends !
