Giving Up High School Football

[ilyazhito]

College officials, there probably is a time when you gave up working high school football games, or at least considered giving up HS football. I know that D2 and D1 games either require longer travel, or require that one show up the evening before. Either of those requirements make officiating high school football difficult or impossible.  Are there any other reasons why you may have stopped working high school games? Are there any reasons why you continue to officiate high school football, even though that means lost sleep and having to navigate multiple sets of rules and mechanics?

[bossman72]

College officials, there probably is a time when you gave up working high school football games, or at least considered giving up HS football. I know that D2 and D1 games either require longer travel, or require that one show up the evening before. Either of those requirements make officiating high school football difficult or impossible.  Are there any other reasons why you may have stopped working high school games? Are there any reasons why you continue to officiate high school football, even though that means lost sleep and having to navigate multiple sets of rules and mechanics?

Reps.  As someone who's been at it only 10 years, I still value reps.  When I got into college early in my career, my Friday night was a great warm up for Saturday.

I started doing the hotel thing and driving after my HS game to a point closer to my College game and sleeping there.  Best decision I ever made.  Get a solid 7-8 hrs of sleep and work refreshed.

[Magician]

I still love doing both! I have considered giving up HS and focusing on college, but I think I would really miss Friday nights. I have established relationships with several coaches and ADs, and I love helping them and their programs. D3 is a fun level to work. Mostly great kids and great coaches. Every level you move up the more scrutiny you get and less fun you have even though you are working bigger games.

[sirhoagy]

I was ready to give up Friday nights for a few reasons.  Biggest challenge is, as you get older, it's not as easy to put 100% into back-to-back nights.  One of my college crewmates works a lot of basketball and as he continues to age (seems he gets older every year....), he makes the same observations.  Granted, we are still doing it, but there'll come a time when the body will only be able to take so much punishment, and I know high school will no longer be an option.  You can be in excellent physical shape (Ed Hochuli, anyone?) but it still gets to you.  Maybe not as quickly, but it gets to you.  Even in my young(er) days, my feet would kill me the day after the game.  It's worse when I work two or more games back-to-back....and keep in mind, working college ball means you work college JV, and some of those games are on Sunday or Monday.  I have worked four football games in a row before. My body still is mad at me. 

Second reason:  I'm sick of driving to a high school game on a Friday and then having to drive to a hotel after a game.  I'd much rather leave work Friday, drive to my hotel (if I'm getting one) and get decent sleep versus 4 or 5 hours. 

Third reason:  I honestly am done with attempting to keep track of two very different rule sets, penalty enforcements, etc.  I won't even bother to open the NFHS rulebook/casebook anymore, and haven';t in years.  I have had a few "High School Oopsies" at the college club/college JV level, thankfully minor and unnoticed except by the crew, and since I stopped paying attention to the high school rules and focused on college rules, that's not happened. 

Main reason I haven't:  My college assigner said not to.  His rationale made sense to me.  There's a massive shortage of officials, and the  players on Friday nights deserve good officials, too.  Don't sell them short to convenience yourself.  My secondary reason is that some of these high school ballgames I've worked in the past few years have been massive (school size, spectators, stadium, quality/level of play, etc) and blow some of the NAIA/D-3 schools out of the water competition-wise.  It's hard not to be impressed when a high school team is disciplined and runs rings around college teams.

I therefore stay working high school ball because in that one moment, what my assigner said, made total sense, and I agree.  I know the physical toll will be my #1 reason for finally saying good-bye to the Friday Night Lights. 

[zebrastripes]

Some low-level college assigners who think too highly of themselves have told their officials they're not allowed to work Friday nights.

That's just ridiculous. I grow weary of the "independent contractor" nonsense when I hear assigners pulling s*it like this.

I don't work college, but I know a WH in a D2 conference who still works HS. He only has five on-field games in that league this year; the rest of his assignments are ECO. Why would anyone give up HS for the sake of working five college games and a bunch of clock games?

[Grant - AR]

working college ball means you work college JV, and some of those games are on Sunday or Monday.

Not to try and hi-jack this thread, but what conferences still work college JV games?  I've worked in 4 difference college conferences at 3 different levels over the past 18 years and none of them had JV games.  I've heard about them from guys much older than me, but I haven't heard of any since I've been working.  Just curious.

[ElvisLives]

If you value a long career at FBS, in particular, you should voluntarily discontinue working anything else.  The conversation you may regret is, "Mr. (coordinator), I broke my foot last night and won't be able to go work the game at State U tomorrow.  What was I doing?  Well, I was working a high school game, and I.... Uh, yes, sir, a high school game.  I'm very sorry, but the doctor says I will be out for about four weeks."

Putting a coordinator in that position does not go over well.  You just might be out for good.

Robert

[sirhoagy]

Not to try and hi-jack this thread, but what conferences still work college JV games?  I've worked in 4 difference college conferences at 3 different levels over the past 18 years and none of them had JV games.  I've heard about them from guys much older than me, but I haven't heard of any since I've been working.  Just curious.

I work NAIA and D-3 ball (mostly Ohio, Kentucky)  They have JV squads.  I've worked College Club/JV ball for D-1 schools as well.  From what I understand,  JV/College Club happens in no particular pattern and various schools have or do not have it based upon demand and availability of players. 

Note:  JV games are NOTORIOUS for cancellations due to injury, illness.  I've had two this season become "no contest" due to one team not being able to show for one reason or another.  One of the teams couldn't secure a bus for transportation.....

[sirhoagy]

I don't work college, but I know a WH in a D2 conference who still works HS. He only has five on-field games in that league this year; the rest of his assignments are ECO. Why would anyone give up HS for the sake of working five college games and a bunch of clock games?

Ehh, I don't know....we have guys around here who just go absolutely bonkers because they are now working as "replay assistants" in the NFL (they are NOT replay officials in the booth as you and I understand them...they are ASSISTANTS!) and they have given up their high school AND college careers to be NFL "replay ASSISTANTS" because it COULD - COULD - be a step into the NFL as a replay OFFICIAL.  Which, by technical terms, means you are now an NFL official.  If you want to give up working on the field and turn back your full-time college schedule to work as an assistant, I can't tell you how to live your life.  But, make no mistake about it: An NFL replay ASSISTANT is NOT an NFL Replay OFFICIAL...but, again, guys have dumped their full-time college schedules to be an ASSISTANT.  I suppose if that floats yer boat, you do it for whatever reason(s) makes sense.

I guess it's no stretch that some guys will dump their high school schedule to work the clock at D-2.  To a certain degree, I think I'd be tempted to dump my schedule if I could do something kinda-sorta related to officiating **if I don't want to work on the field**.  Clock operator?  I've done it before when I had a "bye" that week and it was a local college....but not to drive for 6+ hours, get paid fifty bucks....not worth it.  Let a local high school guy work the clock for the D3/D2 games. 

I'd never give up a schedule to do something that isn't on the field.  I can't imagine I'll do that until I'm at the age where I can't move like I do/used to move.  But there are guys in their mid-30's dumping all of it to work something that they think will be a massive leg-up.  Bottom line is, it's not surprising to me 'cause I've seen four local guys take the offer to move up to the NFL as an ASSISTANT.

[Grant - AR]

I work NAIA and D-3 ball (mostly Ohio, Kentucky)  They have JV squads.  I've worked College Club/JV ball for D-1 schools as well.  From what I understand,  JV/College Club happens in no particular pattern and various schools have or do not have it based upon demand and availability of players. 

Note:  JV games are NOTORIOUS for cancellations due to injury, illness.  I've had two this season become "no contest" due to one team not being able to show for one reason or another.  One of the teams couldn't secure a bus for transportation.....

Thanks.  I guess it just isn't common in my area of the country.

[zebrastripes]

If you value a long career at FBS, in particular, you should voluntarily discontinue working anything else.  The conversation you may regret is, "Mr. (coordinator), I broke my foot last night and won't be able to go work the game at State U tomorrow.  What was I doing?  Well, I was working a high school game, and I.... Uh, yes, sir, a high school game.  I'm very sorry, but the doctor says I will be out for about four weeks."

Putting a coordinator in that position does not go over well.  You just might be out for good.

Robert

FBS is big-time money and extensive preparation and you're usually required to be in town the night before.

D2 and lower? Sorry, but assigners giving a "no Friday nights" ultimatum at those levels are full of themselves.

And officials at that level who voluntarily give up HS? To each his own, I guess.

[zebrastripes]

Ehh, I don't know....we have guys around here who just go absolutely bonkers because they are now working as "replay assistants" in the NFL (they are NOT replay officials in the booth as you and I understand them...they are ASSISTANTS!) and they have given up their high school AND college careers to be NFL "replay ASSISTANTS" because it COULD - COULD - be a step into the NFL as a replay OFFICIAL.  Which, by technical terms, means you are now an NFL official.  If you want to give up working on the field and turn back your full-time college schedule to work as an assistant, I can't tell you how to live your life.  But, make no mistake about it: An NFL replay ASSISTANT is NOT an NFL Replay OFFICIAL...but, again, guys have dumped their full-time college schedules to be an ASSISTANT.  I suppose if that floats yer boat, you do it for whatever reason(s) makes sense.

I guess it's no stretch that some guys will dump their high school schedule to work the clock at D-2.  To a certain degree, I think I'd be tempted to dump my schedule if I could do something kinda-sorta related to officiating **if I don't want to work on the field**.  Clock operator?  I've done it before when I had a "bye" that week and it was a local college....but not to drive for 6+ hours, get paid fifty bucks....not worth it.  Let a local high school guy work the clock for the D3/D2 games. 

I'd never give up a schedule to do something that isn't on the field.  I can't imagine I'll do that until I'm at the age where I can't move like I do/used to move.  But there are guys in their mid-30's dumping all of it to work something that they think will be a massive leg-up.  Bottom line is, it's not surprising to me 'cause I've seen four local guys take the offer to move up to the NFL as an ASSISTANT.

A lot of truth here.

Many an official has turned his back on "lower levels" with misconceived notions of making it "big time." Unfortunately most officials don't ever make it to those big-time levels and then either quit altogether or struggle to get back into HS.

[ilyazhito]

If you value a long career at FBS, in particular, you should voluntarily discontinue working anything else.  The conversation you may regret is, "Mr. (coordinator), I broke my foot last night and won't be able to go work the game at State U tomorrow.  What was I doing?  Well, I was working a high school game, and I.... Uh, yes, sir, a high school game.  I'm very sorry, but the doctor says I will be out for about four weeks."

Putting a coordinator in that position does not go over well.  You just might be out for good.

Robert

That, and the limited amount of high school games available in my current association, is why I have considered ending my high school football career to focus on college.

It's weird to have more college games than high school games in my 1st college season, don't you think? 

Some colleges in my area do have JV games, but new college officials around me are more likely to travel to NY, NJ, and PA to do junior college football games. My 1st college game was just this past Saturday in Scranton.

[zebrastripes]

That, and the limited amount of high school games available in my current association, is why I have considered ending my high school football career to focus on college.

It's weird to have more college games than high school games in my 1st college season, don't you think? 

Some colleges in my area do have JV games, but new college officials around me are more likely to travel to NY, NJ, and PA to do junior college football games. My 1st college game was just this past Saturday in Scranton.

Not as familiar with football, but in basketball it's not an unusual occurrence for a young official to get into college before getting a varsity schedule. Blame association/assigner politics at the HS level.

I would advise against quitting HS if I were you. At the very least continue going to meetings and being active in your association. You are a young official; it would be different if you were in your later years. You have to understand that at the college level you are very replaceable; many officials are let go each year and there is always someone to take their place. That is not always the case with HS. If you break your relationship with your HS group you may find it difficult to get back in if college doesn't work out.

Many an official has advanced "too quickly" and has been put in situations that they do not handle well because they were not prepared. Then the bottom falls out and they have nothing to fall back on. Don't be a "well, that won't happen to me" guy. Don't put all your eggs into advancing in collegiate officiating at your age.

[Magician]

Ehh, I don't know....we have guys around here who just go absolutely bonkers because they are now working as "replay assistants" in the NFL (they are NOT replay officials in the booth as you and I understand them...they are ASSISTANTS!) and they have given up their high school AND college careers to be NFL "replay ASSISTANTS" because it COULD - COULD - be a step into the NFL as a replay OFFICIAL.  Which, by technical terms, means you are now an NFL official.  If you want to give up working on the field and turn back your full-time college schedule to work as an assistant, I can't tell you how to live your life.  But, make no mistake about it: An NFL replay ASSISTANT is NOT an NFL Replay OFFICIAL...but, again, guys have dumped their full-time college schedules to be an ASSISTANT.  I suppose if that floats yer boat, you do it for whatever reason(s) makes sense.

I guess it's no stretch that some guys will dump their high school schedule to work the clock at D-2.  To a certain degree, I think I'd be tempted to dump my schedule if I could do something kinda-sorta related to officiating **if I don't want to work on the field**.  Clock operator?  I've done it before when I had a "bye" that week and it was a local college....but not to drive for 6+ hours, get paid fifty bucks....not worth it.  Let a local high school guy work the clock for the D3/D2 games. 

I'd never give up a schedule to do something that isn't on the field.  I can't imagine I'll do that until I'm at the age where I can't move like I do/used to move.  But there are guys in their mid-30's dumping all of it to work something that they think will be a massive leg-up.  Bottom line is, it's not surprising to me 'cause I've seen four local guys take the offer to move up to the NFL as an ASSISTANT.

I have 3 friends who have done this over the past few years. They started in FCS and fairly quickly moved into NFL roles (within 3-4 years). Two of them worked the AFC and NFC Championship games last year and one of them worked the Super Bowl. One is a replay official this year. It's not a bad path for some guys to go and everyone I know who did it willingly loves it. A couple guys who were suggested to step off the field and pursue it not as much.

[Etref]

A D2 Referee told me he quit high school because he was tired of the antics of the coaches and little to no support form the organization.

[zebrastripes]

A D2 Referee told me he quit high school because he was tired of the antics of the coaches and little to no support form the organization.

This isn’t exclusively a HS problem.

There are plenty of college assigners out there who take every coach complaint at face value and don’t support their officials flagging unsporting behavior out of fear of losing their league(s).

[ElvisLives]

FBS is big-time money and extensive preparation and you're usually required to be in town the night before.

That is true, but, in many parts of Texas, in particular, a guy could would a full schedule of high school games on Thursday nights.  And, there is the occasional week off that would allow one or more HS games.  During my FBS days, my coordinator didn’t expressly prohibit guys from working HS, but he made it clear that an injury that occurred during a HS game that impacted our ability to work a game assigned by him, either completely or at less than full capacity, would not be appreciated.
Nobody in my conference worked high school games.

Robert

[sirhoagy]

This isn’t exclusively a HS problem.

There are plenty of college assigners out there who take every coach complaint at face value and don’t support their officials flagging unsporting behavior out of fear of losing their league(s).

Amen to that.  Thankfully, both of my college assigners back the officials to the teeth and so do the commissioners.  My misery has been the high school assigners who, after getting a complaint from a coach/A.D., will kiss the BUTT of those people so the assigner doesn't lose his/her precious assignment privileges. 

That is true, but, in many parts of Texas, in particular, a guy could would a full schedule of high school games on Thursday nights.  And, there is the occasional week off that would allow one or more HS games.  During my FBS days, my coordinator didn’t expressly prohibit guys from working HS, but he made it clear that an injury that occurred during a HS game that impacted our ability to work a game assigned by him, either completely or at less than full capacity, would not be appreciated.
Nobody in my conference worked high school games.

We have several D-2 officials in my area (Ohio) who gave up working high school.  Biggest reason is the driving distance (6-8 hours, one way).  They want to drive down Friday evening, get a hotel, get decent sleep, work a game the next day versus the Friday Night Lights scramble.  I can honestly say if I had a solid D-2 schedule, I'd probably give up high school without thinking about it.

[Sonofanump]

Ehh, I don't know....we have guys around here who just go absolutely bonkers because they are now working as "replay assistants" in the NFL (they are NOT replay officials in the booth as you and I understand them...they are ASSISTANTS!) and they have given up their high school AND college careers to be NFL "replay ASSISTANTS" because it COULD - COULD - be a step into the NFL as a replay OFFICIAL.  Which, by technical terms, means you are now an NFL official.  If you want to give up working on the field and turn back your full-time college schedule to work as an assistant, I can't tell you how to live your life.  But, make no mistake about it: An NFL replay ASSISTANT is NOT an NFL Replay OFFICIAL...but, again, guys have dumped their full-time college schedules to be an ASSISTANT.  I suppose if that floats yer boat, you do it for whatever reason(s) makes sense.

I believe I know who you speak of, some make decision to be in the booth now as opposed to taking the chance that their abilities could advance them on the field.

[Sonofanump]

Giving up HS became a very easy decision for me.  As a backjudge I was actually bored and anxious watching blow out games, watching the clock and starting to do math in my head of: when this game would end, when would I get home, hopefully fall asleep, get up early and drive to the college game.  The reps were not quality reps, the pace of play was slow, the coaches inability to understand the rules was frustrating, the monetary consideration was worth it.  I might have felt different if I was on the line or referee full time.  I wanted to be a college official and advance as far as I could.

Much better reps and time spend on Monday night college JV games or working practices at the local NFL team during the week.
The spring and fall practices is much more beneficial for me in getting ready for the season for reps, rules, speed of the game.

[ilyazhito]

I have a similar situation in my area, at least for extra college reps. A D2 team in my area has officials come to practices on Tuesday, and the University of Maryland has officials come to their practices Monday through Thursday. UMD practice officials even get paid a small amount for working practices.

I'm a deep official, so I'd have limited reps doing 5-man games in DC. I could try my luck going back to doing 6-man games in MD, but I'll play it by ear, and make a decision on high school in the next few seasons. I won't be making the decision before next spring at the earliest.

RE: booth vs field, I'd rather be on the field. 3 on field games this year, 1 game clock assignment, 1 play clock assignment. Maybe I get another game on my 2 weeks off. Looking forward to college camps and scrimmages next year.

[sirhoagy]

I believe I know who you speak of, some make decision to be in the booth now as opposed to taking the chance that their abilities could advance them on the field.

Don't get me wrong - if that's the path they wish to go, that's all them, I support it 100%. 

I DO question the decision to do such when you're going from on-field action to sitting in a replay booth or working the sidelines as an assistant and there's no action. 

Maybe my mind isn't working right, but it seems to me that replay is a great position for officials who are past their physical prime versus able-bodies on-the-field D2/D1 officials
who make the jump.

Regardless, whatever their choice, if they're happy with it, that's awesome.  I can't ever see myself doing that until I can't walk anymore.

[Line_Judge]

I did not give up High School until I moved to the FCS which did not allow me to work it.  What I did do near the end of my HS and Small College career was work different positions.  We were fortunate enough to have JV games for Small College so I would work Referee, B, or a deep wing...and mainly did that so I could see the views each position had during the plays.  I knew what I would see at my normal position (L) but it gave me a different perspective and allowed me to focus on areas where I knew the other positions had blind spots.

The rule book was a different story...after a year or two in small college, I did not open the NFHS book at all.  I knew the differences at my position, but relied on my crew to deal with the enforcements.

[Grant - AR]

it seems to me that replay is a great position for officials who are past their physical prime versus able-bodies on-the-field D2/D1 officials
who make the jump.

The trend now is to get replay officials before they are past their physical prime.  There is at least one conference who is using replay assistants who have never officiated a game on the field (from what I have been told...I can't prove it).  It's the Dean Blandino model.  It looks like the guys who work into their 60s won't have the opportunity to go to the booth anymore.