https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id...als-tough-spot
There have been so many articles on the shortage of officials. This is the latest, but I think it takes a little different approach. It still touches on the verbal and physical abuse aspect and the impact it has on the number of officials. When you read articles like this does it make you say, "they could really use my help. I think I might do that."? Or does it make you say, "I'm never going to become an official if that's what they have to deal with."? I think most people would say the latter.
I'm glad the awareness is being raised, but I think we need to push more to the positives of officiating. Staying in the game, giving back to something you love, the camaraderie between officials, having a "hobby" that ultimately doesn't cost money and you may actually make a few bucks. I think articles like this hurt our ability to recruit new officials. This is a video our state football association did a couple years ago to help recruit new members. I think we need more of this.
I've only felt physically threatened twice in my career where we need a police escort to our cars from the locker room after the game, but nothing happened with either. Youth games are the worst, and I haven't worked those in 15 years.
We are in heavy recruitment mode across the country for the Fall. I'm afraid the shortage issue will only get worse and more games will be moved to Thursday or Saturday or cancelled entirely, especially youth and sub-varsity games. Who out there is ready to step up and take your talents from the stands to the field? As I tell people, it's harder than you realize, but it's not hard to learn.