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Need some extra cash$ How about being a ref? By Don Hunt Wanted: A few good basketball officials. No experience necessary. Salary: $19.50 to $45.50, depending on the game. Advantages: Meet new people, get some exercise, earn extra cash. Disadvantages: Must endure verbal criticism from fans, the wrath of certain coaches and players and, in rare instances, foreign objects flying from stands. Rogue Valley Basketball Officials Association Commissioner Vern Loy is carrying that message around Southern Oregon these days in a headstrong attempt to beef up the numbers. The season officially gets under way late this month, and Loy has only 52 men and women in black- and white-striped shirts to call the dozens of games that take place locally each week. He'd like to have between 60 and 65. "It's a worrisome situation," Loy says. "It's going to create some problems." The association was at a similar number late last season and then lost some good officials over the summer when Bob Collins retired and David Boekenoogen, Scott Letendre and Jeff Morgan left town. Recruiting new officials has been a tough sell the past few years because of the constant verbal abuse they're subjected to, Loy says. Officials are in a fishbowl, and it's made worse in a smaller association such as the one here, where the same official can work in the same gym several times a year. "If you're in the business long enough, you're going to get confronted and maybe have things thrown at you," Loy says. "It's not always the most friendly atmosphere, and sometimes there aren't any supervisors from the schools to protect you. "We've lost some good officials simply because they got tired of taking all that abuse. Quite frankly, the human being wasn't made to be insulted like that day in and day out." Loy, a teacher for 26 years and an official for 24, believes the vilification of officials has grown worse over the years, and he places the blame on parents and coaches. "Sportsmanship starts at the youth levels, and some of the youth parents and coaches have lost all perspective," Loy says. "They'll jump all over a 12-year-old official for missing a call. "The message they send is that it's perfectly OK to yell at the ref, and by the time his players get to high school, they have no respect for the officials." Nonetheless, Loy believes that officiating can be a rewarding and worthwhile experience. He'll be on the floor again this season because of the manpower shortage. "You develop positive relationships with most of the coaches and players, and you take pride in doing a good job," he says. "You look forward to working the big games and the big tournaments. "You also develop some solid friendships with other officials. "There's definitely some excitement to it all. You just have to develop a thick skin and be confident in your calls." Anyone interested in blowing a whistle is encouraged to attend the next meeting Saturday at McLoughlin Middle School. A developmental school will be held from 8-8:55 a.m. in the gym followed by a classroom session at 9. After that, prospective officials can purchase a packet that includes a rule book, study guides and an OSAA patch, and to get certified, they must pass a test on Dec. 1. Loy, who can be reached at 779-2947 during school days, encourages the young and old alike to sign up. In the past, high school students have become officials and used their experience as their senior projects, he says. Former Ashland High student Frank Hounts went that route and is now officiating on the East Coast while attending Brown University. Rookies start out working middle school games and can earn $39 for a doubleheader. "That's decent gas money for a young guy," Loy says. Loy doesn't like his Class 4A varsity officials working back-to-back games, but doing JV and varsity games on the same night could become a necessity this season due to the shortage, he says. Officials who gain experience and show competence work their way up the scale on a ratings system implemented by their colleagues. Sixteen officials are in a pool that officiate 4A games that net $45.50 per game. Class 3A officials get $40.50 per game, and it's tiered down from there. Officials are also reimbursed at 34.5 cents per mile for travel. Reach reporter Don Hunt at 776-4469, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.