Bobby is currently the General Manager and Assistant Publisher at the Daily Statesman after serving his term as Managing Editor. He wears many hats in the office, including coordinator of all things online, but his real passion is sports.

Foul play?

Posted Monday, September 29, 2008, at 11:44 AM

As much as I love sports and want to be involved in any way, you could not pay me enough to be a MSHSAA official! Way too much controversy and drama for me even though I have a good eye and would be fair and honest regardless who was playing.

I had a guy tell me the other day that he knows whenever certain officials are working games his particuliar team that he supports will have to score a few extra points to win. It may have been a coincidence but after watching that particuliar game he seemed to be correct in his call. Another point brought up was; Is it ethical to referee a game in which you are a direct relative of one of the competing team's coach? I have seen a game like that this volleyball season. In my opinion, the referee called an honest game. But with the stress and criticism put on referees during almost every game, why would you want to put yourself in that position?

How do you feel about MSHSAA officials? Fair, honest, unbiased?

Comments

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Biased. Even if they don't realize they're doing it...about 75% or more of them have been unfair over something at some time.

-- Posted by mrsdolphin on Mon, Sep 29, 2008, at 1:10 PM
It would be a tough situation, and the exact reason I wouldn't do it! I try to be fair and unbiased in everything I do...but when you see defeat in the eyes and hearts of a team of kids that you know for a fact has worked hard enough to deserve to win, how else would you officiate it?

-- Posted by mrsdolphin on Mon, Sep 29, 2008, at 3:39 PM
I think 99% of them are honest. Most of them dont do it for the money, they do it because they love the game. I believe the guys and girls in this area do a great job and dont get the credit or the respect they deserve!

-- Posted by shoe lady on Mon, Sep 29, 2008, at 4:26 PM
I've never been a coach or an official, but I've been a mother, and I can see now how clouded my judgment was from that perspective.

As disappointing as it is to lose, it's something kids need to experience - and it's always gonna break mom's heart!

The good part of competition comes before the winner is decided.

-- Posted by goat lady on Mon, Sep 29, 2008, at 5:24 PM
Just curious dolphan, how did you arrive at 75%? I've been to several contests in this area and I can tell you that I know of very few, if any, occasions that the officiating played a significant role in the outcome of the game. People (myself included) are so to blame officials when things go wrong. It's human nature to seek out the bad guy when things aren't going the way you want them to go. Officials in this area are no less human than the rest of us. They all make mistakes but I, in my own heart, don't believe that any of them would intentionally miss a call that would determine the outcome of a game.

-- Posted by robbincrosby on Mon, Sep 29, 2008, at 8:51 PM
Simple math Robbie C. This one ref screwed us and this other ump cheated so that equals 75% of all MSHSAA officials being dishonest.

Seriously folks...tough job. The idiots in stripes do NOT influence the outcome of a game in 99% of these contests. Missed calls, questionable calls, bad judgement, and those hummmmmmmmmmm? moments are all things coaches and athletes have to overcome. I wouldn't want any of these guys/gals jobs in any of the sports and I would guess NO ONE on here would either. Just because Flipper played for Don Shula in Miami doesn't give her the street cred to go around ripping on the zebras!

"Cause I'm AAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, A Wanted Maaaa'aaan!"

-- Posted by shannonhoon on Tue, Sep 30, 2008, at 11:44 AM
You have to put an "m" at the end of all those "a"s Hoon. Cause I AM, a wanted man.

-- Posted by Jim Morrison on Thu, Oct 2, 2008, at 12:54 AM
Robbie C, fill JimmyM in. He claims to know ALL about ALL music and he is wrong again.

-- Posted by shannonhoon on Thu, Oct 2, 2008, at 9:03 AM
Jimmy Mo, you might need to stick to "Roadhouse Blues" lyrics. Hoon is absolutely correct.

-- Posted by robbincrosby on Thu, Oct 2, 2008, at 10:09 PM
Thank you RC! Can still picture a bunch of fellas rolling in a van, watching one of them play the heck out of the drums/steering wheel note for note!

"I know you don't really knoooow me!"

-- Posted by shannonhoon on Thu, Oct 2, 2008, at 10:47 PM
What the hell are you all talking about? You've lost me on this one.

-- Posted by BonScott on Thu, Oct 2, 2008, at 10:52 PM
I know exactly who you are hoon...you should stick to the "principal" of things and stop living on this blog.

-- Posted by wiseguy20090 on Sun, Oct 5, 2008, at 2:41 PM

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