This week high school basketball in Ohio kicks off with scrimmages and the countdown to opening tipoff is on. This marks my 15th year officiating high school basketball and I have to say I love it as much now as I did as a rookie.
I tried some small college stuff, but the time away from home was too much, and I knew I wasn’t on a track to someday have the Duke-North Carolina game. So I’m happy being in all the local high school gyms, getting to know hundreds of other area ref’s and coaches, and enjoying the excitement that winter Friday nights was made for.
- I do it because it’s a great distraction from the pressures of work and ministry.
- I do it because it probably helps prepare me for the pressures of work and ministry. Imagine coming out with that charge call and having half the gym start screaming at you. That’s pressure. Sounds like some days in ministry, doesn't it?
- I do it because through it I’ve met some awesome people. Nice guys (and ladies), many of which you probably aren’t going to meet any other way.
- I do it because I want to have a sphere of influence that goes beyond the church. I hope that’s been the case.
- I do it to stay in shape. You have to be fairly fit to run with the caliber of athletes you find in most big schools today.
- I do it because it’s in my nature—just like it’s probably in yours’. We lead churches and management teams because we like to lead. We like to make the big call and we like to be in the big moment.
Any fellow ref’s out there? Love to hear from you.
