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Football Officiating => NCAA Discussion => Topic started by: ElvisLives on December 05, 2022, 12:01:50 PM
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Hmm. From the Bowl Officials Expectations Document released today on the CFO web site:
Bowl Gift - The bowl game’s management shall present each game official and conference coordinator of
officials (if in attendance), with a bowl gift. The gift is up to the discretion of the bowl but will include at a
minimum a bowl specific commemorative watch. If a bowl does not produce a watch the gift should
include the bowl logo and be of similar significance.
A watch.
In my FBS days, they were required to give us a gift(s) equivalent in value to the gift(s) players were given. Doesn't seem to be the case nowadays.
At my first bowl game, they gave a us a watch - nice enough. We had some time, so we went to a Detroit area mall, and a couple of us wanted to stop in a jewelry store to have links removed from the band, so it would fit better. No problem. Jeweler was happy to help (no charge). But, after looking over the watch - a popular 'award' brand watch in those days - the jeweler told us, "You know, these watches are not very expensive." We got a little chuckle out of that. Not like were expecting Rolex or anything.
They also gave each of us an autograph football, for all of us to sign for each other. Still in my display, with the other trinkets we got over the years (including the other 6 'not expensive' watches).
But not all bowls gave us a gift of any significant value. Got an adjustable golf cap and a plastic lapel pin from the Seattle Bowl. That's it. Lucky to get paid, as it turns out. When we arrived, we got a check for the game fee, but not the per diem and air fare. Our R went to the stadium operations office and told them that we would not be setting foot on the field until they presented us with checks for per diem and airfare. They produced the checks. We gave them to our wives, with instructions to leave the stadium and immediately go to a bank and cash them, which they did. (They came back for the game, too, which was nice, since they had the bowl-provided vehicles.)
That bowl did not exist after that season. Sad, as Seattle (as liberal as it is) is a fun place to visit. Pike Place Fish Market is cool, as is the Space Needle, the Chihuly Garden, and a number of really good restaurants. Seahawks stadium was very nice, too.
Fun times.
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Is this the first year/first time any kind of written guidance like this has gone out?
TBH when I first read it, I immediately thought Rolex lol... not like the bowls can't afford them.
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Is this the first year/first time any kind of written guidance like this has gone out?
TBH when I first read it, I immediately thought Rolex lol... not like the bowls can't afford them.
No, we had such written 'expectations' even back during my day. I wish I still had a copy, because, like I said, we were supposed to get gifts in the same value as the players. What would you call rides in NASCAR cars at Charlotte Motor Speedway? They got 'em. We didn't.
Not really complaining. All-in-all, we were treated well, and came home with great memories, and stories.
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Do major bowls/NCs give rings to officials, or do they have to buy them? Always wondered that.
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Do major bowls/NCs give rings to officials, or do they have to buy them? Always wondered that.
There are probably a dozen guys that I worked with that eventually worked NCGs. Some had rings, but I never asked if they were given those, or if they bought them. So, I don't truly know. If I get a chance, I'll ask.
One of my earliest former crew mates got to the 'next level' (still there), and I have held one of his Super Bowl rings in my hand. They don't have to pay for those. He earned it.
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Do major bowls/NCs give rings to officials, or do they have to buy them? Always wondered that.
I've had a handful of bowl games over the years and I've never received a ring. The only time I've heard rings being discussed is when the officials are talking about designing one for themselves. That doesn't mean some bowls don't give them...I've just never gotten one.
In my experience, the best bowls for officials are those who have an official (or group of officials) that hosts the crew. They typically treat us better than the ones who don't have officials as hosts. I've never been treated bad at a bowl game, but it just seems a little better when we have an official as our liaison. It's probably because that official only has one job for the bowl...taking care of us.
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I've had a handful of bowl games over the years and I've never received a ring. The only time I've heard rings being discussed is when the officials are talking about designing one for themselves. That doesn't mean some bowls don't give them...I've just never gotten one.
In my experience, the best bowls for officials are those who have an official (or group of officials) that hosts the crew. They typically treat us better than the ones who don't have officials as hosts. I've never been treated bad at a bowl game, but it just seems a little better when we have an official as our liaison. It's probably because that official only has one job for the bowl...taking care of us.
:thumbup
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:thumbup
I agree, however, some of the smaller bowls, even with being hosted by fellow officials, have limited funds to spend on the crew. One of my worst bowl experiences was at one of the larger, well-known bowls many years ago. Didn’t even get a watch. One of the best was at a smaller bowl in Fort Worth. It just depends on the bowl.
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... have limited funds to spend on the crew. ...
A correction to your statement: Many bowls have plenty of funding available, but they choose to limit their budgets for hospitality for officials, because we are not seen as essential by the Bowl execs. Whereas a third string offensive guard that probably won't set foot on the field gets everything each of the other players get.
Again, not complaining. Just stating a fact. We were treated respectfully, if not rewarded appropriately. We knew better than to complain and create a 'flush' that would flow down to our Coordinator, who didn't deserve to get such a flush. Nobody said we would be treated fairly in this avocation. But, we got to go places and do things many folks will never get to do. It is all good.