I was pretty happy last night when I was assigned a 1A Boys Regional by the IHSA. Since returning to full time officiating this season, my "numbers" have been very good for girls basketball but not as strong for boys. I honestly was hoping just to get a play-in game, but I discovered last night that I'll work three games.
One reason to enjoy postseason games is the additional work. Especially since I lost a lot of games this winter because of the weather, getting extra games from the IHSA is helpful. Softball doesn't start until mid-March, so without the IHSA games, the only work right now is weekend youth events.
Another reason the postseason is interesting is the opportunity to work with different officials. I really appreciate my regular crew. We get along, have some laughs, and work together to improve our performance. Working with other quality officials, though, is fun too.
The final reason for me is just to be in the moment. I love basketball. The opportunity to help the players and coaches and scoretable staff have a great game is awesome. Tournament play has an edge to it; it's win or end the season. Of course the edge means a bit more hollering and yelling at the blind officials, but that's okay. It's part of the excitement.
I likely won't get any additional IHSA basketball assignments, but last year I only had two play-in games. Going from two last year to now seven games this year is an improvement. Maybe next year I can work a girls championship, which would be an additional step up.
Saturday, February 9, 2019
11 Snow Days and Counting
This past week was another win by Mother Nature. We had an early release on Tuesday and didn't return to school until Friday. And now more snow is forecast for this weekend and Tuesday of next week. Geez.
Everyone looks forward to an occasional snow day. Amidst the bleak, cold days of wonder, a sigh of relief occurs on that one day that the weather is too cold or the driving conditions are too poor for safety reasons. Perhaps you get some extra sleep; perhaps you catch up on some work. On the other hand, what do you do with eleven snow days? Honestly, the snow days start to get annoying.
The annoying part isn't having a little time off from work; the annoying part is the repeated "start-up". It's not easy to consistently regrouping and revising lesson plans. And it's not easy to figure out what needs to kept in the course and the content that is just going to have to be removed.
And don't even get me started on what the winter has done to my officiating schedule. I've been snowed out of more than 20 games, which is not easy on the wallet! So let's hope that even though it's still mid-February that we can get back to a normal routine.
Everyone looks forward to an occasional snow day. Amidst the bleak, cold days of wonder, a sigh of relief occurs on that one day that the weather is too cold or the driving conditions are too poor for safety reasons. Perhaps you get some extra sleep; perhaps you catch up on some work. On the other hand, what do you do with eleven snow days? Honestly, the snow days start to get annoying.
The annoying part isn't having a little time off from work; the annoying part is the repeated "start-up". It's not easy to consistently regrouping and revising lesson plans. And it's not easy to figure out what needs to kept in the course and the content that is just going to have to be removed.
And don't even get me started on what the winter has done to my officiating schedule. I've been snowed out of more than 20 games, which is not easy on the wallet! So let's hope that even though it's still mid-February that we can get back to a normal routine.
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