Kirk Wessler blogs on Valley referees

[Da Coach]

On "Valley" refs

http://www2.pjstar.com/index.php/wessler/article/on_valley_refs

[SFP]

I liked his story and it was informative. I would like him to go and take an anonymous poll from the coaches and see what they think. I'd expect the league officials to not ruffle the officiating fraternity feathers. I have no problems with Higgins but there are a few there that I'd bet rarely do BCS schools. Let's see a breakdown of where and when along with a poll of what the coaches think of certain officials and I bet you we'll see that the lower rated refs do our games. Don't get me wrong I like some of the zebras but there are some that should never do a BU game!

[TheAsianSensation]

I realize these refs work other games too, but don't these same people realize the refs are terrible no matter what game they work?

[Disturbed]

very interesting story......and I enjoyed reading it....
but it says exactly what I expected it to say about the different styles and the way things are called in the Big Ten vs. the Valley.
Wonder why he never addresses the issue of the mistake in front of 12000 people and a TV audience when they put a guy on the line for 1-and-1 when there were only 6 team fouls?

I've been a timer/scoreboard operator for about 15 years for boys high school basketball. While it isn't college D1, the responsibilities and the motions are virtually identical to whomever is doing the same thing at the Scottrade Center. I've never had to do my job in front of thousands of people, but I have done countless IHSA regional and other tournament games where much was on the line for all involved and the intensity was just as great. There is the timer, scorer, 35 second clock operator, PA guy, assistant timer, among others at the scorer's table. If there is proper communication among all of these folks, there is no way they allow that official to let someone shoot a one and bonus free throw when it isn't warranted. In fact, the official can only base his decisions on the information from the scorer's table, he can't keep a running total of fouls in his head. He may have looked and saw the information on the scoreboard, which may have been in error as well. In my 15 years, we have never allowed a free throw to be shot in error.

Finally, on the timing thing that occurred in the WSU/Creighton game. I don't know how a timer could screw that up. You only have 1.8 seconds left, the game is in the balance. You know you can't get it wrong. Your senses are heightened. I don't know what the timer's angle was in comparison to where the ball was inbounded, but he may have gotten blocked out a little on the first deflection. Irregardless, the referee chopped the clock on with his arm motion and the timer should have acknowledged that, but he obviously didn't.

While not as tough as the officials job, the people at the scorer's bench have a pretty big part in every basketball game.

[wily coyote]

I've been a timer/scoreboard operator for about 15 years for boys high school basketball. While it isn't college D1, the responsibilities and the motions are virtually identical to whomever is doing the same thing at the Scottrade Center. I've never had to do my job in front of thousands of people, but I have done countless IHSA regional and other tournament games where much was on the line for all involved and the intensity was just as great. There is the timer, scorer, 35 second clock operator, PA guy, assistant timer, among others at the scorer's table. If there is proper communication among all of these folks, there is no way they allow that official to let someone shoot a one and bonus free throw when it isn't warranted. In fact, the official can only base his decisions on the information from the scorer's table, he can't keep a running total of fouls in his head. He may have looked and saw the information on the scoreboard, which may have been in error as well. In my 15 years, we have never allowed a free throw to be shot in error.

Finally, on the timing thing that occurred in the WSU/Creighton game. I don't know how a timer could screw that up. You only have 1.8 seconds left, the game is in the balance. You know you can't get it wrong. Your senses are heightened. I don't know what the timer's angle was in comparison to where the ball was inbounded, but he may have gotten blocked out a little on the first deflection. Irregardless, the referee chopped the clock on with his arm motion and the timer should have acknowledged that, but he obviously didn't.

While not as tough as the officials job, the people at the scorer's bench have a pretty big part in every basketball game.

Your summation of what happens at the table is 100% correct. The people at the table do have a very important job. I have never worked the table but have worked with almost 2,000 tables and I agree an unmerited free throw should NEVER happen but it did.The other situation was much easier to have a mistake happen. I'm talking about the late start of the clock. I was at the end of the court where it took place. I know Elgin says he looked at tape with reps from both schools but I have talked to people who saw it on ESPN and it showed the ball being touched by Woodfox and the clock was in the lower corner and it was late starting. The problem here was the throw in was as far from the scorers table as it could have been. There where players between the table and the throw in came to the opposite side of the floor along the side line . The timer as you said, should have been looking for the chop in signal administered by the official with the player throwing the ball in . I have seen timers stand in situations like we are talking to get a better view of the chop. Don't think that happened either. Oh well , its over and Creighton got hammered the next day so I guess there was justice. Go UNI do the Valley proud and lets hope the Braves don't have to put there uni's away for the year.

[Disturbed]

As a timer, I have stood for the final 5 or 6 seconds of tight games on numerous occasions. I worked approximately 6 varsity boys games this year that were decided on the last possession (three in the Regional Tournament) and I can safely say they were not compromised. It's tougher than it looks, however. Sometimes early in my career it would be easy to become a spectator and not a timer.

[Scouter]

As a timer, I have stood for the final 5 or 6 seconds of tight games on numerous occasions. I worked approximately 6 varsity boys games this year that were decided on the last possession (three in the Regional Tournament) and I can safely say they were not compromised. It's tougher than it looks, however. Sometimes early in my career it would be easy to become a spectator and not a timer.

Yeah, but were you ever a timer at a game and had a personal bias that affected your actions?

[Disturbed]

Yeah, but were you ever a timer at a game and had a personal bias that affected your actions?

Absolutely. Almost all of the games include the high school I attended and played for. Bias never enters into it. In fact, if there ever was bias, it would be the other way for me. Especially when the visiting fans are looking directly over your shoulder.

[leebiddlecome]

Good article by Kirk. Very informative and helped us all understand how the "officiating" thing works.

I am not one who worries/obsesses about refs. I think they all do a very good job. In fact, I would say they make far less mistakes per game than the coaches and players.

Do they make mistakes? Of course. And I expect that when watching a game. Everyone is different but you won't ever hear me complain about a ref after a game nor do I boo them. It's a very hard job.

[wily coyote]

Absolutely. Almost all of the games include the high school I attended and played for. Bias never enters into it. In fact, if there ever was bias, it would be the other way for me. Especially when the visiting fans are looking directly over your shoulder.

I'll bet the officials that work your school appreciate the job you do. I can tell by your answers. Officials really do appreciate a good bench. It makes their job much easier when you don't have to worry about whats going over there. A good timer will stand up if it is necessary to see when a throw in is touched or whatever the case may be.I really like you answer about "bias never enters into it." People just don't understand that officials don't give a hoot who wins. They just want to work a good game and leave the gym with their reputation in tact. That being said it also has the same meaning for bench personnel as they are an extention of the floor officials.In very rare cases a timer has had to determine weather a shot was gone before the horn. It doesn't happen often but it has happened. Keep up the good work we need good people on the table.

[Disturbed]

I'll bet the officials that work your school appreciate the job you do. I can tell by your answers. Officials really do appreciate a good bench. It makes their job much easier when you don't have to worry about whats going over there. A good timer will stand up if it is necessary to see when a throw in is touched or whatever the case may be.I really like you answer about "bias never enters into it." People just don't understand that officials don't give a hoot who wins. They just want to work a good game and leave the gym with their reputation in tact. That being said it also has the same meaning for bench personnel as they are an extention of the floor officials.In very rare cases a timer has had to determine weather a shot was gone before the horn. It doesn't happen often but it has happened. Keep up the good work we need good people on the table.

Thanks. I do have a good table to work with. Veteran people who know the game. Schools get in trouble when they put students or other unqualified people in those spots.

I did have to make the call on whether a basket counted at the end of overtime two years ago. Neither referee knew for sure, and one actually left the court as soon as the horn sounded. It did count, and it sent the game into a second overtime.

Possibly we have crossed paths if you are an official?

[wily coyote]

Thanks. I do have a good table to work with. Veteran people who know the game. Schools get in trouble when they put students or other unqualified people in those spots.

I did have to make the call on whether a basket counted at the end of overtime two years ago. Neither referee knew for sure, and one actually left the court as soon as the horn sounded. It did count, and it sent the game into a second overtime.

Possibly we have crossed paths if you are an official?

Probably not. I hung up the whistle in 1992 after 23 years. How lomg have you been doing th etable?

[Disturbed]

Probably not. I hung up the whistle in 1992 after 23 years. How lomg have you been doing th etable?

I think I started doing it in 1994. But you may have done some games that I played in.

[wily coyote]

I think I started doing it in 1994. But you may have done some games that I played in.

What school did you play for and what years. There a good chance I did .