This past season was a blur, it took a huge toll on me. It seemed like one day we were sitting in the classroom gearing up for the beginning, and the next it was done. I wanted to keep this blog up every week, making an entry to keep people up to speed with the inner workings of a referee. However, truthfully, it just was not a priority as much as basketball was.
141 games is not the record for a high school season, but it’s up there! I just turned thirty years old and my body has taken three weeks to recover from all of the games. I went directly from refereeing into working as the Team Recruitment Manager for the fundraising organization called Special Olympics Oregon. It’s been none stop and I can’t complain, I just don’t have the time like I used to for completing a journal. Besides, who really cares to read this damn thing anyway?
I’ll be starting my first steps towards college basketball officiating this May. I will be attending several camps and working on the rules and mechanics for the college game. I am nervous, but ready for a new challenge. I had to reject a couple of high school camps to attend these; I detected sour grapes from those individuals, but despite being admitted to the regular membership of the PBOA I won’t see the good games for years to come.
One day, at this rate, I’ll be running a camp of my own but maybe not for just officials. A team here recently hired me in the IBL (International Basketball League) named the Portland Chinooks to do their PA announcing. Doors just keep opening up for me from the connections I have made in officiating, I truly feel blessed and lucky to have gotten to the point now where I can work for myself and not worry about working for “the man.”
Oh, maybe I’ll write something again sometime soon, REFEREE magazine wants another article from me on the Trail Blazers Street Jam…www.blazersstreetjam.com. But don’t hold your breath, I’ve gotten too busy, if it slows down I’ll post here again. Until then my friends, live well and be happy.
Dave
