Friday, September 25, 2009
Refereeing: It’s as clear as black and white, isn’t it?
Society has pumped many standards of behavior into us from a very early age. We learned how to stand in lines, say “please” and “thank you,” open doors for girls, and just generally be courteous to others.
Pat Jardine, Overland Park junior, signals for a touchdown during a flag football game. Jardine started reffing because he likes football and needed a job.
Aaron Flickinger, McPherson junior, indicates what down it is during a flag football game Tuesday. Flickinger says he loves sports and being around them whenever he can.
“The Golden Rule” was the name of the concept we all learned many of our values from and it said to “treat others as you want to be treated.” So why the heck do those who dawn the black and white stripes at every athletic event seem to be exempt from this rule?
Refereeing can be a pretty brutal profession. It can consist of quite a bit of verbal and, in some cases, physical, harassment.
“Any time you put on the stripes, you basically put a target on your back,” says Matt Beck, intramural coordinator. “You become the bad guy.”
Referees work many years at their job and slowly work their way up the better they get at calling the game. Most referees who officiate at high school sports or at higher levels have started their careers at a lower level. Intramural referees are at this lower level and are trying to learn, but some find it hard to stick with refereeing when they get hassled about every call they make. They treat the participants fairly, so they, in turn, expect to be treated with the same respect, Beck says.
“Relax, it’s just a game,” he says. “You’re playing for a T-shirt. They are students just like everyone else on campus. They’re bustin’ their butts for you, but if you think you can do better then come on out. We’d love to have you.”
The intramural referees go through a three-day training period when they are drilled on the rules and regulations of the sport, as well as the mechanics and positioning of refereeing. Then they play some simulation games to get a feel for calling a game in action.
“The guys who’ve played before, it starts clicking for them pretty quick and the more it (the game) slows down,” says Steven Dickherber, St. Louis sophomore and second year intramural referee. “Then the guys who have never played before or don’t really know the game, it may never click for them.”
Beck says refereeing is something that is best taught through experience. The more experience someone has refereeing or just being around the sport in general, the better they will get, which will then lead to feeling more comfortable calling a game.
Refereeing instructors can drill the new referees on the rules and regulations until they know them like the back of their hand, but until they actually go out there and experience it for themselves, they won’t be able to understand the whole refereeing process.
Intramurals also uses experienced referees to help introduce new ones to the game and the experience.
“It helps me as being one of the veteran referees to help the new people coming in to tell them to look out for these kinds of things,” says Aaron Flickinger, junior from McPherson and third-year intramural referee.
Despite all the training that referees get, they are going to make mistakes. It just is a part of the game, but what the referee instructors and supervisors try to stress to these refs is to make each call with confidence and to stand by their decision.
Because these are usually beginner refs, to be fair to the participants, they do have a chance to petition any “non-judgment” call. This means that any call that isn’t solely up to the judgment of the referee can be petitioned to the referee supervisor that is on hand for every game. These supervisors are there to settle any disputes in addition to evaluate the refs on their performances.
“Let the refs do their job,” Dickherber said. “They are trying the best they can and if they’re not they will be chewed out by someone else.”
College basketball referee at the top of ...
Welmer’s lenient refereeing style has some players and coaches thankful, and others ...
Questionable referee calls hinder Kansas’ chance for ...
In four close games this season, surprising calls by referees have turned ...
Williams: Intramurals picks better Web site
Students will have an easier time registering for club sports.
Morning Brew: Discount refs hurt NBA
Hiring less experienced officials may take stars out of game.
Flag football players prepare for playoffs
Intramural teams to play for chance at championships in Memorial Stadium.
Intramurals create memorable sports moments
Clutch moments happen at all levels of sports, including intramurals.
Minster: Father of the Year award up ...
It seems the No. 1 rule for harassing someone would be to ...
Fickle weather sends pests out of control
With Kansas’ temperature rising and falling, insects and pests find their way ...
Abnormal arms, but ample ability
How one student aims to transform disability's definition.
Morning Brew: Overzealous zebras
Referees wrong to punish celebrating players with game-changing penalties.
Kansas cruises to 78-67 victory
Four Kansas players scored at least 12 points and Cole Aldrich pulled ...
McCray ignores jeering
Morning Brew: Five sports pet peeves
Jonathan Rosa counts down the top five things that annoy him.
Game on!
Video games are attracting more casual gamers than ever, so don’t let ...
Rains: Referee’s busy schedule brings new meaning ...
Welmer’s busy schedule takes him all over the country, and he has ...
Five Wardrobe Essentials for Men and Women
Timeless clothing options that can improve your everyday look.
Better safe than sorry
SafeRide and SafeBus provide an often-unappreciated service to students.
Wallyball gives students change of pace
This little-known variation of indoor volleyball is played on racquetball courts.
Cameras serve as campus eyes
More than 200 cameras on campus monitor what happens day and night ...
Intramural forfeits perturb players
Teams with last-choice time slots frustrate opponents with gameday absences
Fans need to show patience, class
Kickin' it old school
The Kaw Valley Kickball League competes in popular playground games.
Opportunity calls
How to get the most out of your internship.
All's fair in LARP and war
This art not thy mother's game of Scrabble — slay hard or ...
Williams: Don’t let stereotypes make up your ...
We should avoid making assumptions based on appearances.
Dent: Cursing ban to lower game intensity
The NCAA’s emphasis on bench decorum might make mothers happy. But colorful ...
No referees, just good old-fashioned fun
Seventy-five teams registered for the annual 3-on-3 intramural basketball tournament. The tournament ...
Food for thought
How food can alter your mood.
Malicious Intimacy
Four students' experiences with domestic violence.
Q&A with Autumn de Wilde
The famous photographer has taken photos of Beck, Fiona Apple and Rilo ...
Carmichael: Fox News' perception of racism concerning
Donald Trump among others used a whole new kind of racism when ...
Swingers
Cyndi walks in the front door of a very familiar home. Her ...
What it Feels Like... to Play Football ...
The thrill of a big win in Memorial Stadium.
Head and shoulders, knees and toes
To avoid fashion blunders and help elevate your style, focus on and ...
Home is Where the Fight Is
Going home can be a struggle, but it doesn’t have to be ...
Rock & Roller Derby
Roller derby is back with a new purpose and a new attitude.
Rock Chalk memories
Former Kansas basketball players return to Lawrence, play current team in annual ...
Kansas football opener will have instant replay
No holds barred: The secret life of ...
It might be one of the most recession-proof jobs in America.
Intramural sports provide something for everyone
From basketball to foosball, the KU Recreation Services program has lots of ...
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
KUnited presidential candidate Libby Johnson and vice presidential ...
1 comment
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID