Colorado Referees

[spectre013]

Just wondering if any of you from Colorado are going to be at the Sunbelt Classic this weekend?

[Shavano]

Spectre,

We have a ref team coming down and will be there, over at Centennial both days. Maybe we can get together for a cool one Sat night? :cool:

Shav

[spectre013]

I will be at the East site on Saturday and South Site on Sunday. There is a great pizza place on the north side.

[Wreave]

I'm planning on it but haven't heard anything from Marty. Have you guys gotten your assignments already?

[Shavano]

Wreave,

I called him last week and got a verbal schedule. You might want to do the same? He was going to mail schedules out over this last weekend, had a few cancellations from refs.

[spectre013]

I'm planning on it but haven't heard anything from Marty. Have you guys gotten your assignments already?

Marty Called me last night with mine, but I have been working with/for him for years so he usually never gives me a printed schedule.

Might call him I know he had to cancellations for sat due to a basketball tournament.

[Wreave]

Someone message me with his number, please.

I just moved (back) to Colorado from NC and have never ref'ed for Marty before. Seems like a good guy - I met him at Super Saturday.

[Shavano]

Check your PM

[Wreave]

Thanks, called him last night.

All I can say is this must be a very popular tournament with referees, and/or Marty must be great to work for. He has me on the standby list and is still waiting for confirmation from a few referees. I don't think I've ever been willing to work a tourney I couldn't get assignments for... normally I'm one of the guys that gets more games than anyone because I'm in shape to do it.

Now, I am new to Colorado (well, I just moved back last summer after a seven-year absence), but not new to refereeing. I always have a very high opinion of my own work... makes me the think the referee pool must be pretty deep to put *me* on the standby list. LOL

Will post again if I get some games. Looks like it's going to be pretty good weather for the weekend down there...

[spectre013]

This tournement is pretty popular and with it being the first one of the season in the area and a lot of people (players and officials) are wanting to get out and get the dust off.

I also think they are down a few teams this year, my count was some where in the range of 200 teams. A few years ago they had as many as 300 + teams here for it.

[Wreave]

Sigh... I understand.

Guess my 96 on the test and 3100 Cooper aren't enough to get me a slot...

:(

[ArgylleRef]

Now imagine moving every two years, minimum, and add in multiple deployments overseas! I've been refereeing for nine years and I've registered now in four different states and four different NFHS entities.

Part of the territory is proving yourself everywhere you go. I've come to accept this. I've had tournament assignors put out open invitations and then question who I was when I responded. I've offered to work only as AR unitl they are comfortable with me.

In some ways, we are our own worst enemy. Wherever the good old boy network is in place, it undermines confidence in credentials. If assignors think that certain grades are given out, or retained, unjustly then they will not have confidence when someone presents with that grade.

Really, though, we have to prove ourselves every game.

Steve

[spectre013]

that would be tough to move around that much for sure.

As for our area/assignor we have about 15 or so officials that can do U->16 or greater and of that about only 5 or so can really run the center.

We have 6 high schools and about 8-10 competitive teams at U-16 or higher. SO 1 or 2 games and show your competent and you can get all the games you want.

[Wreave]

Well, Marty called me last night with an offer for some U12 games on Saturday, but I missed his call as I was out with my family watching the eclipse. Just got his message this morning.

He said it was first come first served and he was trying to reach other refs as well... so I returned his message and also sent him an email. Hopefully I'll get a spot.

Good point on the "network", though. Unfortunately, it also is a reality that there is a vast difference in skill among grade 8 referees. Some of them just don't want to bother upgrading, but are well-qualified. Some of them are new, and need more experience. Some of them have all the experience they need, and aren't any better than they were the first day they took the field. Some of them can't keep up with play anymore (or never could).

So, there's a value in knowing more about a ref than his grade.

When I contacted Marty, I did try to give him a little bit of a CV. Even so, if there are plenty of referees to choose from, in his position I would certainly go with the ones I know.

Will post back if I am able to get in touch with Marty and get any games.

[Wreave]

OK, it looks like I've got some games. The U12s are gone, but he is going to have me AR a couple of U15/U16 Gold games at 24th Street, and maybe pick up some more games if other referees are hurt or slots otherwise open up.

I'll be at 24th St so I probably won't see you guys, but if you end up over there, look for me! I'll be the one in yellow...

[spectre013]

Cool, Wreave.

Shavano and a few of us are going to do some pizza at Angelos on the north side on Sat night you can join us if you want.

[Wreave]

Well, i got my schedule and I'll actually be at Centennial, from opening until probably 2:00ish.

Field 3, I think.

Not gonna hang for pizza - heading back up to the Springs. Thanks for the invite, though.

[Shavano]

Wreave,

We're at Centennial as well.. doing 14G tomorrow, 12B Sunday. Maybe we'll meet up..

[Wreave]

I ref'ed the first 3 games with a guy named Don, but I don't think it was you. Older guy, ponytail, good ref, said he was an artist.

Really was glad to have gotten out though, even though I didn't get great assignments. Nice enough weather, good way to shake the rust off.

[spectre013]

Yeah, a really good weekend for soccer, had 4 18 boys, 3 16 boys and a 14 girls game. Only gave out 2 cards all weekend and not much parental harrasement.

Shavano and I had some good pizza and good conversation on saturday night.