My 2 cents.
First off, the question was asked earlier where was Magnum, Feeney, Campolo and Phil DiSabato. Magnum retired...Campolo retired...DiSabato retired and me...well I was the the NCAA D2 Regionals.
I have said this before and I will say it again...there are bad officials. Not all....some.
In the CDWOA, we have to vote for who we feel are the best guys, we are allowed to vote for 15. This year we did it a bit different, we voted for the top 15, middle 15 and bottom 15. This is so Cal Adams the CDAB coordinator for wrestling can get a pretty good idea how we the referees rank each other and who should or should not be at the Sectionals (where we need 45+) and Districts. We have about 130 referees in the CDWOA. For me, I couldn't vote for 15 top guys...I voted for 7. Does that mean they arent good? No...it means I think that only those 7 are qualified to do the State Tournament. I then voted for the next 15 who should be looked at for the Districts, and the next 15 to round out the Sectionals.
First issue: About 15 years ago...I sat in a meeting of the CDWOA board and we asked ourselves, how do we increase #'s. I had the idea of starting a spring class. OHSAA went along with it and it has worked out well. So well that in those days, our #'s were in the 60-70's, and we only were allowed to take 3 refs to the States. Today...in fact this year for the first time...we are taking 5 refs to the States. Why? Our numbers of class 1's are up. We now have over 130 members..and growing.
Second issue: A cpl years ago, me and a few senior refs were talking about mentoring and how do we bring along the younger refs to a higher level. My idea last year was to start "Tier 2, The Next Level". 24 guys were hand picked, and Bob Triano and I spent classroom, and mat time, teaching them how to become better refs...through mainly...better mechanics. We used video of tough "you make the call" situations, and we also showed their own video during the classroom times. That was brutal to many... because we didn't pull punches when showing their own video to the Tier 2 class. I did this to teach...so they would see their mistakes and not make then again. We even had "class" during a dual and evaluated the ref in mass...that was very brutal.
Of the 24 original refs...we have the top 12, and bottom 12 of the top half....top 12 and bottom 12 of the bottom half. We will share exactly where they stand with them soon. Point is...these 24 up and coming refs will know where they stand...based on evals both in person and video review.
That listing will be gone over with Cal Adams who is supportive of the Tier 2 concept. Also...not all the 24 are going to be good officials...some will just be mediocre, but for the first time...someone is telling them that.
Third issue: Senior officials that need to stop referring. This is always a tough thing, to tell someone they need to step down. I know for a fact that my days are limited. I have a few years left....but I also have a network of refs and coaches and mentors that have promised me that when that day comes...they will tell me. Everyone needs that..but not everyone does that.
Fourth and final issue For those that think they got screwed this past weekend. Guess what...maybe you did. In fact..I am sure in some cases you did...so what to do about it. I am NOT going to tell you to become a ref. You are allowed to bitch, you should. A referee steps on the mat...and doesn't do a good job, he cant really expect you are going to bake him cookies and then sit and smile as he eats them. I get a lot of video sent to me the week after Districts. Most of it is from a dad or mom that thinks Johnny got hosed. Honestly...about 80% of the time...the ref made the right call or at least, I can understand why he made the call he made. The other 20%...the ref screwed it up. I got one...kid was in OT..he hits a dbl...his toes stay in..and the ref blows the out...declaring that he had stepped out. Uh...he didnt step out. In fact...the asst was there...never said a word, nor did the lead ref ask. That cockiness has to stop. At least ask the question...at least do that.
Anyway...we (the CDWOA) is working on improving officiating. Those that do not or will not change their styles, mechanics, and thinking, will be left behind...I guarantee it. Tier 2 The Next Level is the first step. I have some other plans that I want to implement down the road, but it will take time.
OHSAA has installed "observers" (should be called evaluators but the OHSAA doesn't want to hurt any ones feelings). That is a great start. I have been wanting that for years. In college, I live and die in national tournaments based on evaluations. It should be the same in high school.
I also realized that talk is cheap but we are trying. Bear with us...we have a great crop of young refs coming up...I guarantee that you will see it in the next cpl of years.
. Nothing but love from me to you! I learned a ton by taking the class. I now coach a little differently knowing how officials process whats going on in a match. I also refer to rassler and lion69 who both make valid points that should be considered.
