When I first started reffing HS I was 20. You wouldn’t believe how many times I was hit on. Even coaches “leaving me” their phone numbers. Both my younger sibling and I would work together (granted they were 2 years younger than me). But still HS kids are scandalous. I was talking with a friend about this phenomenon and we both agreed it’s so uncomfortable for us. College is a bit better... I’m also still in the sub-30 category.
I was 18, I only remember comments about my calves but other than that I'm glad no one barely talked to me.
Eighty-seven was just a random number I picked. I was born in the year 2000 (hence the name YoungRef).
Last fall, I was doing a dual on a JV girls game. The away team bench was talking about “how cute I was” as I ran by. I have yet to get a phone number from anyone though.
Like the old saying goes from uncle Bobby “times they are a changing”... In the coaches defense they were close to my age and it was a JV or freshmen team. They wrote it on the roster as I was collecting them before the match. Smh.
Side bar to a side bar ( this whole discussion is a side bar).. in cricket, 87 is known as the devils number.
While I’ve scored some digits from a field marshal or two, never had coach give me her number. You lucky SOBs. On a funnier note, once worked with a woman who had a player try and get her instagram. This was a JV game. He got a stern talking to from his female head coach.
The only time I ever had something like this happen to me was when I refereed the first time and was in my mid to late 20s. I went to dinner after the day's games with a bunch of other referees. I had refereed earlier in the day with one of our good young referees (who is now an accomplished coach). One of the teams we had refereed was a U17 girls team, and my young AR was 16 at the time. This same team was at the restaurant, and the team recognized us. The older referees, including this kid's dad, got a couple of the girls to plant kisses on each side of his face while I took the photo. While I was taking the photo, a few of the moms were trying to strike up a conversation with me. That would never happen today with a lot more gray hair, a thinning spot on the top of my head, and 10-15 pounds more than what I was carrying 15 years ago or so . . .