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Message: [QUOTE="Cowtown, post: 1302457, member: 2350"] Hey man, thanks for the vote of confidence. :) I have about 20 years in, sandwiched around 15 years of coaching. To be sure, I'm less than perfect, and I certainly wasn't putting a shot on you (which you I know you know :)). I just wanted to encourage anyone who feels the urge to ref to get out and do it. It really is a terrific experience, well worth the time put in. One of the nicer things about it is when you walk into a coach's gym and when he sees you he smiles and says, "Hey, good to see you. How've you been?" Because he knows you're competent, and that he's gonna "get fair." Most coaches recognize if you hustle and work hard to be fair, they're happy to have you and will leave you alone, even if you kick a call, because we're all here so kids can play basketball. Now, there are times when, after an ugly game you can't do anything with, that it's good to just get out of the gym, but those are outnumbered by the good ones. A brief aside, if I may. After a tournament game some years ago, a parent (from Raymond, AB - Mormon country - where they think they know more about hoops than everybody else) approached me in the hall after a game and politely said, "Can I ask you a question?" and I said "Sure." He asked "Why would anyone want to be a basketball ref?" I told him I liked the challenge, that I liked doing something that was so difficult. He smiled and said, "Thanks for doing it without all the the ego we usually get." I was so surprised I could only think to say "Thank you" and shake the guy's hand, But today it's a favorite remembrance of mine, and I'm really quietly pleased some guy came forward to say that. And his kid's team was beaten in that game. Sure we get paid, but you can't buy a feeling like that. So once again, a call to all. If anyone can do better, by all means come on out and do it. You'll enjoy it, and we'll all be glad to have you. :) [/QUOTE]

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