Dear Reader,
The purpose of this site is to give insight into the goings on of a referee. That is correct, the person that you, as the fan, player or otherwise, tend to despise as a common rule. Perhaps an understanding of the education process that all referees must go through in order to officiate your children, nephews, nieces, etc within associations may help with this stigma.
I personally officiate basketball, first and foremost. My love of the game comes from a country that is not even seen as a power in the sport. In fact, Canada (where I originate from) is dominant in hockey and this dominance is shown within the Canadian media. Growing up in Canada before the NBA ever showed up on the doorstep, it was difficult to not be drawn into the passion the rest of the country possessed for a sport I had a hell of a time playing. Basketball came naturally to me, and officiating has come even more easily. However, it takes more work than most people outside of officiating would care to admit. It takes a special brand of person to put up with abuse, constant questioning of personal integrity....and that is just the beginning of the hardships of a growing official.
I have been in the local Portland, Oregon high school association for the past two years. Despite my experience in my homeland, I had to start out at the bottom here, and have had a blast learning all over again from a different point of view. Though the sport was invented by a Canadian, the two brother countries have different systems and I dare say styles. My officiating is similiar to the neutrality of my country in world issues. I want no part of conflict, but I will not put up with rules being broken so that the fabric of a game can fade into a dangerous void. As long as you have a mission statement as an official, you have a plan, and most people do not care what that is. Sadly though, if officials do not take their jobs seriously, injuries can occur in a game, tempers can flare, people can just lose their heads. With a true understanding of what an official does to grow, I hope that this web site can create an empathy that helps us to do our jobs with integrity and dignity and thus preserve the game for which it was originally invented, as a distraction from the mundane weather of wintertime.
You will follow me through my third season as I attempt to gain acceptance into the local association and membership. This is a long process, a lot of hard work, and a little luck. I hope that you enjoy the ride, and ask questions as they may come to you. I want to create harmony in this game and it starts with the officials and the way we allow the game to be conducted within the confines of the rules. Balance is the most important thing in life, adapting to change as it comes and moving onward...such is life and such is the game of basketball.
Sincerely,
David Smith
