Referee shortage
- Thread starter Wheels 1
- Start date
its just going to get worse. I wonder what the average age of officials is??
You don't see many young guys in stripes
There will be a few opening week varsity games in the SEMO area officiated by first year guys. Losing some officials to fall baseball-softball/volleyball where you show up 1/2 hour before the game and make it back home earlier than 9:00. PLUS...you make more money than the football guys if you do a jv/varsity doubleheader. Varsity football games require the crew to be at the game site 1 1/2 hours before the game and you rarely get home before 10:30 and sometimes 1:00. I do know that the SEMO Association Football Officials have recruited a number of younger guys this year and are cramming a lot of info to them in a very short time.
I used to be a zebra, 1988-2001 in the Joplin association. Told the state to kiss my butt after they gave me a ZERO score because I was late for a game. i.e. being there 1:25 before the game.
Not a sliding scale I see. Guess they don't prescribe to take care of the people who take care of you.
I don't understand why there is a shortage of officials for all sports at the high school level. There are hundreds - thousands even - of them in the stands and on internet forums at every game and everyday that are way better than what is on the field in any given contest.
It's not an easy job, and the pay is lower than on Saturday afternoons. Many choose to do college games over High School.
I have observed little tyrant HS coaches for many years. It doesn't seem like too much fun. But I've never ref'd a high school game.
But, the talent pool is loaded! Just go to a game and listen to the crowd. 75% of them are better on any given day than the clowns on the field masquerading as officials.
My strong opinion is you need to raise pay big time for high school officials. Just like bus drivers
IMO the lack of officials will increasingly decrease as current officials leave the game for personal reasons. As a 20 year official I know I will hang up the whistle someday. IMO you will see more games Thursday & Saturday in the coming years.
Our association (in Central Missouri)pay for varsity game is $85 per game, but will increase to $100 next year. We do charge an event fee for one driver as the crew working the football game carpools.
Our association (in Central Missouri)pay for varsity game is $85 per game, but will increase to $100 next year. We do charge an event fee for one driver as the crew working the football game carpools.
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