Sub Varsity game requirements

[rickref]

Does your chapter have a requirement for availability for sub varsity game work and if so can you share what it is? Please also let me know your chapter size. Thanks

[TxSkyBolt]

Five Thursdays minimum. 385ish


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[Coby]

Does your chapter have a requirement for availability for sub varsity game work and if so can you share what it is? Please also let me know your chapter size. Thanks

Subvarsity requirements are stupid.  Especially subvarsity requirements that are unveiled to us week 4 are  stupid.  I know I have  on this topic but here I go again.

You want more subvarsity coverage then raise the pay.  You want more subvarsity coverage then create better working conditions.  You want better subvarsity coverage then have your picks reflect crews that cover your subvarsity.  Once you have exhausted these options then you can start mandating coverage.  I find it absurd that an avocational group can demand that we do X amount of games.  They are avoiding the bigger issue.  Lets start asking the question of "Why do members not want to work subvarsity" and fix those issues.  Instead we are looking at disenfranchising even more members.  The crazy thing about this whole situation is Head Varsity Coaches do not give a crap about Subvarsity.

[copedaddy]

Have to agree with colby, although I try to work every Thursday night.  Years ago in the northern part of the state we got $40 a game for all subs and guys would beg for the 3 and 4 game nights where they made twice what they made on Fridays. Now we expect officials to drive 50+ miles to a 7th grade game and get $30. Also here in the SA area many sub vars play on fields with no lights so they want to start at 4:30. Tough for some of us to make those times when we work hours that aren't flexable.  So we get stuck with lots of sites with 2 man crews or no one at all. Kinda reminds me of the good old days in the early 80's when I did lots of 2 man crew games--but I was much younger then.

[HoustonUmp]

I agree that getting people to work subvarsity can be a pain.  I personally work every Tuesday and Wednesday on junior high games.  These games are fun and you have teach the kids a few things also about correct versus what the coaches are teaching them about rules.  This gives my legs a rest before the weekend unless our crew has a game on Thursday.  It also keeps me from having to deal with assistant coaches who try to impress the head coach sitting on the side watching how much of an idiot they can act when they (the assistant coaches) are in charge of their team.   

I spent many years working up to triple headers on Thursday when I was chasing points.  I must admit the desire to do even single sub-varsity high school games has gone.  My wife also appreciates that I have a night at home.   

[TexDoc]

I'm with HoustonUmp.  I used to LOVER myself and work every night of the week I could to get points and a few $.  But now that I've been in D1 for what, 13 years I think, and I'm a little older, heavier, and slower, I don't really want to work many Thursdays.  I worked 8 this year, which is 3 more than we are required to, just because the assignors were begging for help.  We are very top heavy, about 1/3 or so in D1, so getting guys to work Thursdays is a struggle.  A few weeks ago, a couple of guys had to meet me at a site to work a single JH game.  The game was about 100 miles one way for these guys, so they had a good three and a half hours on the road.  I got my check today, $35.  So, for 3.5 hours on the road, 1.5 hours on the field or slightly more, the pay was $35.  $7 / hr to leave work early, get home late?  Nope, just not worth it.  We do this as an avocation, but it needs to be break even with your expenses and time. 

[Joe Stack]

We're required to work 5 SV assignments, but up to 3 of those can be waived with Thursday night varsity games. I think the theory is that crews that work a lot on Thursday night can't make their requirements, but frankly, that's bunk. I've worked every individual night of the week this year; games on Mondays, Tuesday, etc. (not EVERY night, just at least one Mon...). Last week, I did work every night, including Friday.

However, I won't do that in the future. One of the districts I've worked a lot for in the last half decade has actually CUT their pay, so I've already told my assignor I won't be working for him. TASO has really dropped the ball by getting an injunction against UIL and doing nothing with it -- we're still working for 2009 (or earlier) fees, and UIL is laughing like hell at us. TASO refuses to take the position that UIL can't legally control our rates -- all chapters should negotiate with individual districts at their own discretion. It a district is removed from where our officials are, they should have to pay more to get officials to come out there. The chapters are requiring officials to pick up the load -- travel, accept lower fees, etc. -- but that isn't a long term solution. I now refuse to go 30 miles one way in traffic to work 2 games and make $63, which is what I got from the district mentioned.

[Coby]

We're required to work 5 SV assignments, but up to 3 of those can be waived with Thursday night varsity games. I think the theory is that crews that work a lot on Thursday night can't make their requirements, but frankly, that's bunk. I've worked every individual night of the week this year; games on Mondays, Tuesday, etc. (not EVERY night, just at least one Mon...). Last week, I did work every night, including Friday.

However, I won't do that in the future. One of the districts I've worked a lot for in the last half decade has actually CUT their pay, so I've already told my assignor I won't be working for him. TASO has really dropped the ball by getting an injunction against UIL and doing nothing with it -- we're still working for 2009 (or earlier) fees, and UIL is laughing like heck at us. TASO refuses to take the position that UIL can't legally control our rates -- all chapters should negotiate with individual districts at their own discretion. It a district is removed from where our officials are, they should have to pay more to get officials to come out there. The chapters are requiring officials to pick up the load -- travel, accept lower fees, etc. -- but that isn't a long term solution. I now refuse to go 30 miles one way in traffic to work 2 games and make $63, which is what I got from the district mentioned.

Stop being logical.  Every school district should publish what they are going to pay and what mileage they are going to pay all of their officials.  Then supply and demand will work its magic and some schools will have officials and some will have janitors with whistles.

[Welpe]

Here's what I do know. I worked a ton of subvarsity this year and got my points and money but at the same time I proceeded to completely burn myself out on football and was away from my young family for way too many nights. I understand now why folks don't want to work subvarsity, it's a drain and in this area, is treated as a total after thought.

[Official_21]

I only worked 11 SV games this year. Had quite a few personal matters and a vehicle mechanical failure to contend with.

This number may dwindle next season, as I am planning on going back to school and getting certified as a EKG technician and hopefully finding a job in that field (Have been volunteering at a hospital for the past year. Didn't realize there are quite a few jobs in the health care field that only require certifications).

I still would like to keep active, but without being an auxiliary member. It looks like I may be headed this way, I got to look after myself first and then everything will fall into place.

[TampaSteve]

For what it's worth I don't do JV (or MS too) purely from burnout perspective.
I tell the JV assignor to "book me if you are in a bind, but don't put me on the schedule."
(I worked 1 MS and no JV this season)
Working Thursdays, getting home at 9:30 or later, eat, take care of house stuff, shower/shave/bed, & ensure you're all packed and set for Friday (which is perhaps most important) is a grind.

If my assn said I "had to" work x # of JV games, I may just tell the assn 'thanks but no thanks.'
FB is fun/important but not as important as home, work, et al.

[allen]

I did 22 SV games this year on a torn meniscus and would have done more if not for 3 Thursday night varsity games.

However, I do not call these games for the money. (Thank God cause we all know it doesn't pay what it's worth)  I call them because I love the game of football, I want to be the best official I can possibly be and I tend to learn something every single time I am out on the field.

I also have a sense of responsibility to my chapter to help get our games covered.  It's also the perfect time to help train and get to know the newer guys.

It's too bad that the coaches, parents and school districts make it as miserable as possible for us at times. I know we lose people every single year due to the behavior of some coaches.

[Official_21]

FB is fun/important but not as important as home, work, et al.

Amen to that...I am sure that is one point all of us on this board can agree with 

[clearwall]

Im with allen on this one. You work SV because you love the game, enjoy officiating, or want to improve.

Adding my opinion onto what he said, I feel that if you're too tired, think you're too good, etc to work these games then you should really evaluate why you're doing this or why you're doing it at this level. We've mentioned before here and the state chapter constantly bemoans why so many young officials leave after 3 years and this is one reason. Personally, I get irritated when im out there busting my arse every week workin Mon, Tues, Th, Fri and some Sats to improve and showcase my abilities. Then I see D1s who are working 1 game a week and taking the mindset that the reason they cant work SV is to "save their knees for friday night." Shenanigans on that one.

I know im going to take heat for this opinion, but once again, truth hurts sometimes i guess.

[TexDoc]

You work SV because you love the game, enjoy officiating, or want to improve.

I guess I'm officially an old fart.  I work sub varsity because they tell me I have to.  Otherwise, nope, I wouldn't.  I've worked somewhere shy 2,000 games.  If I never had to work another JV or MS school game, that would be fine with me.  But, I do want to make sure those kids get to play and have officials, so I help.

Those games may help newer guys get better, but I don't that they help seasoned guys all that much.  They can be good opportunities to teach new guys.

[Coby]

I guess I am officially lazy then.  I will officiate more subvarsity games when:

Pay goes up to a marketable rate

or

in 2025

In 2025 I will be 5 years away from Teacher Retirement.  My teacher retirement is based on my 5 highest years salary.  When you officiate games inside of your district it ends up on your pay check thus I will get a higher pension.  I will be a subvarsity officiating FOOL in 2025.  Hell I may even officiate water polo again.

[Joe Stack]

I am not nearing retirement but am in my peak earning years and will be for another few years. I owe it to myself and my family to at least try and maximize my income, taking into consideration the activities I enjoy, like officiating. I think its lofty that some view subvarsity as a way to serve kids, but I personally don't. I take a huge income hit when I miss a lot of work to go work games. I have other "ministries," if you will, and while there may be some things about football officiating that fit into that (working with my crew, for example), working subvarsity games isn't one of them. Especially given the hassle that it has become with longer games and less (relative or otherwise) pay.

Sorry if that sounds cynical.

[rickref]

Thanks to the two guys who told me if they had a requirement and what it was!

All the other views and opinions are shared as well.