If my comments sound ungrateful they're not meant to be, however in this day of modern, "super competitive business, i.e. keeping up with the Joneses" I simply don't see the problem with the officiating crew asking for a fair compensation/benefit package. If it is not offered, either accept what they are offering, or don't.
In most states the associations (governing bodies) either look out for you, or they don't. In Arkansas, there is a "suggested minimum pay" of $65 for Varsity, and $40 for Jr. Varsity. They also suggest paying mileage. Some schools do better than suggested, and some do just the minimum.
Many schools offer a fair pay. Food varies. Showers are rare.
So you know what our state minimums are. Our crew also has our minimums, and what we are looking for. We try to obtain contracts with schools that pay $80 to $105 per official with travel pay of $20 to $60. We travel an average 125 miles each way to do the contest. Our time in the car allows us to pre-game and fellowship both before and after the game. We get to see many different parts of the state.
We've had everything from concession stand fare to cold, uncooked chicken to a homemade cajun spread, even one school coordinated homemade lasagna/salad/rolls/brownies.
Here is where the keeping up with the Joneses comment comes in...many of the schools in our states are moderately at or below budget with a few who are super funded. Before you throw in the "schools can't afford to pay officials well argument" many of these under funded schools within the last 2 to 3 years have installed $150k to $1M worth of new turf/stadiums/fieldhouses, etc. and are being featured in statewide publications, so the money is there, it is just getting the school to place a value on the service you provide to them.
Last night for instance, we travelled 160 miles round trip, made $85 for officiating, the driver got $40 extra, we all were paid cash at halftime, the coach fed us chicken fajita meals from the local hispanic restaurant. We had a place to shower and were treated extremely well. That made it a memorable night, and for most a rare experience. It also makes up for the nights when other schools of better means don't even want to give you water!
I think as an officiating crew, you have the right to negotiate the best contract for your crew. If you don't have that right, then as far as my crew is concerned, there are those schools who value what we do and we will seek them out. They're out there. My calendar is 85% filled with their contracts!
Lastly, if coaches can hold you to a standard of officiating, why can you not hold their school accountable to a standard of hospitality? Is good/great hospitality expected, or should it be required? That's up to you to decide. We look at it as a courtesy, and we are always grateful for whatever we receive. However, the employer/independent contractor relationship should be a double sided street. Good dialog with the coaching staff can't do anything but improve conditions (where lacking) for your fellow officials.
