FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[Desertraider]

former d3db ...

here is a true story which is also meant to give perspective that the refs are doing the best they can and we all need to be in good spirits about it.

As you know, Wabash used to regularly play Hope.  It goes back all the way to the old Hope field which had wooden stands for the home team with a wooden roof over it and portables for the visitors.  My recollection of the games were that they were spirited and good games with the coaches, players, and fans respecting each other.  Almost more of an "outing" with jibes going back and forth ... and also aimed at refs.  You may recall, Judge John Steketee (a good Hollander) in addition to being Judge was also a referee for many of those games.  I practiced law before him and would sit in the front row of the bleachers and give him the raspberries from the Wabash side.  He would get me back that next week when he could work me in the courthouse.

Well, this one game, just before half (last play as time ran out) Hope broke a long run for a touchdown ... which ... right in front of me ... a "Hopee" blocked a Little Giant in the back during the play (having nothing to do with the play).  The Judge was also right in front of me, ... also saw the infraction, and flagged it.  Of course the Wabash side was deliriously happy and Hope could not believe this could happen.  I yelled out at John ... "Ref:  you have finally made a good decision".  John looked over at me, smiled and picked up his flag.  The replay was for naught and ... as the teams began to run off ... he jogged over to where I sat and drew his flag.  "on the stands".  Of course the Wabash  side went nuts.  He smiled again and motioned to me, and I came over.  He quietly said to me "the penalty for your infraction is to get Cokes for the refs."  Which I dutifully went off to accomplish.  John and I knew what had happened.  Only the Wabash side was confused ... we never told them.  The next Monday, I was in his court room ... "best decision I ever made?" he said.  My reply was: "well ... one of them."

The story is meant to  be ... for a when the season is over adjustment ... to entertain and put our referees' efforts into context ... they do the best they can (at least I believe they do), they do hear the crowd, and they have both a sense of humor and a sense of irritation.  So lets "work" the good humor side.

By the way ... Steketee used to repeat that story with a Hope audience when I was present.  We always bet a silver dollar on the game ... until he died.  I ran across the silver dollars a few years ago, and they are now in the hands of grandkids.

+K for a great story. Cheers-

[formerd3db]

Li'l Giant and wabco:

First, wabco, a +k indeed for a great story.  It certainly does put this all in perspective and as it should be.

Second, Li'l Giant, my apologies for the any wrongly implied meaning of my post-it was inadvertent and I should have worded it in a better/different way.  I do not doubt your true belief that you find it difficult to believe from an official's perspective.  All I was attempting to relate to the discussion is that I know of some isolated incidents (i.e. a couple of officials) who have done that because they have admitted it to a person or two in these particular situations which I was privately privileged in being informed by the latter (of course, of which I would never reveal the names of any of these people for obvious reasons).  This is also aside from their (the officials) actions being blatantly obvious over a sustained period of time over several games (and more than one season).  I was just simply saying it does occur and that is unfortunate and not right and as I also mentioned, those officials have abused the trust and privilege of the job.

I also am not bashing officials in general.  I respect them and the job they do.  It is not easy and as you and the others who have participated in this discussion have mentioned, I, too agree that they (99.9% of them) do the best they can and with integrity.  I think all of us have made good contributing comments to the discussion and I respect your opinions.  Thank you to you guys who have served as officials.  I did it for one year late college (for basketball not during my football seasons, of course), but never since then (and wouldn't/won't do it again-it is more fun to chide them then be chided as one of them!   JUST KIDDING!!!!!

P.S.  Probably won't happen because of the various Challenge series agreements in place over the next years, but we should all promote some campaign to get the Hope/Wabash rivalry going again.  I think that would be great.

[Desertraider]

As far as I am concerned you couldn't pay me enough to be an official. No matter what you do - half the stadium is going to be pissed with the call (or non-call) and think you have money on the game. The unfortunate thing for officials is that they can get 99% of the calls right (and most of them do) - but that 1 call will be the 1 everyone remembers. There is just no way to hide.

[wabndy]

As far as I am concerned you couldn't pay me enough to be an official. No matter what you do - half the stadium is going to be pissed with the call (or non-call) and think you have money on the game. The unfortunate thing for officials is that they can get 99% of the calls right (and most of them do) - but that 1 call will be the 1 everyone remembers. There is just no way to hide.

I was told being an official is the only job where you are expected to be absolutely perfect your first day and also improve over time.

[hazzben]

As far as I am concerned you couldn't pay me enough to be an official. No matter what you do - half the stadium is going to be pissed with the call (or non-call) and think you have money on the game. The unfortunate thing for officials is that they can get 99% of the calls right (and most of them do) - but that 1 call will be the 1 everyone remembers. There is just no way to hide.

My dad is a college and HS official. These guys do it because they love athletics. Are there some tools with an axe to grind. Sure, but they're the minority. One thing I always keep in mind. For my dad on a given weekend, he's usually losing money when it's all said and done, hopefully just breaking even. The pay is really pretty terrible. A lot of games are decent road trips and like we've said here, you usually just end up getting yelled at by over the top fans, parents and the occasional delusional assistant.

It's the definition of a thankless job. But they do love being a part of the game. And without them, the game couldn't function.

Having said all that, when I was coaching I'd yell at the refs from time to time. Partly because I'd been around officiating so much, I was (still am) convinced I knew more than the average guy about what should and shouldn't be called.

As for bias. I asked my dad about it once. He said any good official does everything they can to remove it from their mind when they call a game. They're never cheering for a side.

Best story I've got, my little brother was playing JV football and my dad was the ump. The only reason his crew was doing my lil bro's game was because it was JV and it ensured they got good officials, instead of guys just learning the ropes (their crew did something like 8-10 state title games over the years). At a key point in the game, our RB broke off a long TD run and my dad threw a flag. The ref walked over and asked what the call was. My dad responded, "#60 with an illegal block in the back." The ref looked incredulous, "that's your son!" My dad just nodded and smirked, "Yep, but the call stands. He'd better learn now, while the games are meaningless!" Both were AA offensive linemen in their playing days and it's hilarious to hear them argue about that call to this day.

[gobash83]

What a ridiculous question    .    Next time we play Wabash, I want to see you stand up and yell at an official for making a call that benefits your team!

No, that's the whole point.  I don't yell at the officials.  It's pointless and you look and sound ridiculous doing it. 

I used to be Yell At The Officials Guy™, but I had an epiphany.  Realized one day that while I'm busy getting worked up and angry about some subjective nonsense that I couldn't even pretend to approach without bias and prejudice, I'm missing Wabash kicking butt.  Wabash is winning game after game after game and doing great things....and I'm  not enjoying it appropriately because I'm pissed about holding (that may or may not have even happened) or I think the ball should have been spotted half a yard one way or the other?  It's dumb.  This isn't a new thing...I got over the officials years ago.  And I don't think I've been to one game since I had that epiphany- not ONE- where I didn't shake my head at some point at some dumb thing somebody jumps up and yells at a official who 1) can't hear you and 2) doesn't care what you say.

I agree with Wally and had a similar epiphany. Mine was brought on by having two of my children become licensed soccer officials. Attending a game where your child is the object of the comments changes your perspective. And so, I've become much more relaxed about officiating and shake my head at the referees in the stands, even when the object of the ire are adults.

[formerd3db]

desertraider, wabndy, hazzben, gobash83:

All good comments and stories. +k!

[wabco]

3db

Wabash plays Albion the first game of the year next year.  The new President of Albion is a Wabash grad and prior to a 13 year stint as {resident of Monmouth was a former professor at Wabash.  Our conference allows for but one non conference gamer per year.  And I think ER (along with the AD) looks for a good first game to schedule as a test for both teams.  While I am  not sure, knowing Mauri Ditzler, I bet he was near the center of arranging for his new adopted school to play "his" College.  In any case it makes sense ... Albion will make an excellent team for pour non conference game.  It is a 2 year contract, home and home.  You will recall ... "in the day" Albion and Hope were the teams at the top of their the MIAA each year.  Wabash and DePauw always have had good teams (ignore the interregnum at DePauw caused by a coach meltdown).  The first two games each year was Wabash and DePauw playing Albion and Hope on consecutive weekends with the away and home swapped.  It gave a good early read as to the quality of Wabash and DePauw (something we always read all the available tea leaves concerning) and the same for Hope and Albion.  Plus ... academics and approach to the game was very similar for all 4.  Ditzler has Albion back on our radar and vice versa.  Get your MIAA motor going and see is something can't be worked out.  The travel times are good, fans can make the games.  Facilities (except perhaps for the much reviled press box at Albion which should be able to be fixed ... a joke) are good.  Administrations have a good attitude.  Fans are ardent and basically respectful.  We play each other in other sports ... recent swim meet at Calvin ... baseball with Hope etc. comes to mind.  Our AD is a former K Coach.  My guess is that it takes a 2 year out to fit it in ... so we are "in" for the next two years with Albion.  Get going !!!  I think it would be great.

[firstdown]

Wabco

The game with Albion next September should be a bit different.  First of all no snow, or at least let's hope so.  Second Albion will be losing a lot of the core of its team from this year to graduation.  So they will be a different team when Wabash sees them again.

Wabash will also be losing some key players to graduation, but a lot of the younger players that worked into starting roles or key back up roles that added depth this year will step into starting roles next season.  With Conner Rice back for his senior year, and the receiver corps pretty much intact, At running back, the freshman Matt Penola did a good job subbing for Mason Zurek late in the season.  A season of strength and conditioning will make him even more of a force to be reckoned with.  Shamir Johnson should have recovered from this late season injury, and the strength and conditioning time will help him to rehab and be ready as well.

The Defense will be losing some key players, but returning a lot as well.  Simpson and Alston filled in on the defensive line quite a bit this year and should be ready to step up.  Buresh and Hansen will be the anchors of the line backer corps, and the defensive back field returns a lot of starters and other with playing experience.

2016 should be another good year for the Little Giants with the early meeting with Wittenberg a big key to the season.

[wally_wabash]

LGs will be fine in 2016.  Runaway favorites to win the league, frankly.  Wabash and DePauw bring back similar numbers and by all means should be playing Week 11 in C'ville for the league title.  If that doesn't happen, something went really wrong for one or both of those teams. 

Wabash vs. Albion up at Sprankle-Sprandel Stadium (you really can't say it enough) could be very interesting.  The game conditions for this rematch will obviously be different (if they aren't...it probably means we've hit the end times) and while Albion does lose nearly all of their offensive starters, that offense and that pace can be really challenging in Week 1.  You certainly expect Wabash to win that one, but they're going to pay the price no doubt. 

[aueagle]

Fer sure wally, you'll be the projected 2016 fav for the conference....
But...I like the idea of playing the LG's at Selby AND that we will be a very solid team
in the Bishops....instead of playing you guys tough for a half or some years, 3 Qts...
I like what could be in the 2016 Red n Black and having a crack at Bash...The Official
Off-Season Chatter starts in a little over a week....

[DadofBashWarrior..]

Neither video or audio working...Tale of tape for Alliance

Finally got the audio...still no video

[wabndy]

Can't help it- seeing mighty linfied get thrashed makes me feel that much better about Wabash's season. With such limited cross conference scheduling it's really impossible to know how the top ten really stacks up. Did not see the blowout in alliance coming. It's almost been the story of the playoffs that any team that pulls out a close win one week is almost destined for a loss the next. weve clearly got the best two teams in the country for the stagg bowl and amazingly- two teams that have made the previous 14 games look easy. Should be a great one next week

[jamtod]

Can't help it- seeing mighty linfied get thrashed makes me feel that much better about Wabash's season. With such limited cross conference scheduling it's really impossible to know how the top ten really stacks up. Did not see the blowout in alliance coming. It's almost been the story of the playoffs that any team that pulls out a close win one week is almost destined for a loss the next. weve clearly got the best two teams in the country for the stagg bowl and amazingly- two teams that have made the previous 14 games look easy. Should be a great one next week

This game really did give me great respect for what Wabash's D was able to do in stopping UST's run game.  Very impressive.  There was a huge difference compared to this week for both Roberts and Kaiser being able to get to the second level and pickup 6+ yards consistently.

[Li'l Giant]

UST is The Truth. The Stagg Bowl is going to be LIT.