Ability to be a Valued Referee

Your peer evaluations and coaches ratings all say you certainly have the ability to manage a basketball game, yet your schedule doesn’t reflect this assessment.

The feedback you’ve been receiving at off-season camps and clinics is that you have the ability to rise to great heights as an official, but your assignor doesn’t seem to share these sentiments.

So what gives?

The problem may be that while your on-court ability to inspire confidence with partners, coaches, and clinicians is impressive, your off-court ability does little to impress your assignor.

While you won’t be able to rise up the officiating ladder without consistent and credible on-court abilty; your assignor is also grading you on your AVAIL-ability and DEPEND-ability.

No one would suggest you put your officiating avocation ahead of your family and work responsibilities; but the reality is your assignor has an obligation to the schools and leagues he or she covers, and if your RELI-ability is not something they can consistently count on, then your schedule will no doubt reflect that fact.

So if you want to move up on your assignor’s depth chart, you might consider:

•  Lightening your work schedule and commitments during the season, when possible, on the heavier game nights, and shifting these duties to off-nights.
•  If you’re involved with your child’s extra-curricular activities, offer to take a supporting or assistant coaches role that might allow you more flexibility to handle your officiating responsibilities.
•  If car problems have caused you to miss more than one game assignment, you might want to invest in a more dependable form of transportation. The potential to take on more game assignments with better wheels, could likely cover the added monthly car payments.

It is commendable you’re willing to to put in the extra work to be a valued official in the eyes of coaches, outside observers, and by your peers. Just make sure you take the necessary steps to inspire the same confidence from your assignor.

About the Author

Tim Malloy

Between the ebb and flow of a chronic illness that required 32
surgeries, has pushed forward and carved a path of distinction in both the world of basketball and business.

As a 40+ year veteran referee of IAABO Board 34, Tim has worked numerous New Jersey state playoff games and climbed the ladder to the college ranks. Tim officiated as a member of CBOA where he earned Division II and III playoff assignments.

Off the court, Tim was a front office executive for the NBA World Champion Philadelphia 76ers in 1983 and served as the team’s Assistant Group Sales Director and Public Relations Director for seven seasons. Tim later worked as a Sales and Promotions representative for Converse Inc., where he was a two-time Salesman-of-the Year award winner. He also holds a U.S. Patent for a golf training device that received a 4-star rating in Golf Magazine and is the co-author of the sports reference books, “GameTracker Journal” and “Beyond the Rules” for basketball.

Tim is a graduate of St. Joseph’s University (PA) and resides in West Deptford, NJ with his wife Pattie, son Matt and daughter Mary Frances.

See author's posts