On the TunneySide of Sports August 26, 2019, #758 Friday Night Lights Dimming
After further review… An article, actually more of a “want ad,” appeared in our local newspaper (The Monterey County Herald): “Officials Needed.” The article went on to say that our local high schools on the California Central Coast were planning to move some of their usual Friday night games to Thursdays due to lack of game officials. Although the pay is minimal, there are other reasons that some folks are avoiding this responsibility. The 2019 football season has started!
Men and women who once officiated high school sports (and youth leagues) are not stepping forward to perform those duties, and the high school leagues are suffering. There may be several reasons for this dearth of officials, but mainly we hear that it’s verbal, and, in some cases, physical abuse of officials. It is out of control! Officials have stated they are fearful for their lives. Other reasons may be a poor pay scale, too many other duties, family needs, etc.
It certainly was different in my beginnings of officiating. I had the privilege of accompanying my dad to high school and college games he officiated (in the 1930s and 1940s). The pay was not much then. In fact, when the profession of officiating first started, coaches from one high school would officiate another’s high schools games for free and then those coaches would reciprocate. The profession soon began to pay, although with minimal amounts since schools had to budget for it. It’s still that way today.
I began officiating about age 19, while still in college doing intramural games – for free, just for experience. Then moved onto what was called “industrial leagues,” guys who were playing after work just for the exercise. My pay at that time was .90 cents per game. It was that same pay (90 cents) for summer league school games. Graduating from college in 1951, I joined our local football and basketball officials association and was assigned high school games with the pay at $12.50 per game. Many weeks I would work three games – Thursday night, Friday afternoon and another Friday night. That $37.50 per week sure helped. I loved it!
Moving onto college level the pay got better. Then, in 1960 I was recruited to officiate in the National Football League with, of course, an increase in game fees. I was honored to be included. My first year’s salary was $1800 for the season with travel and per diem paid.
However, it was my love of the game that retained me. Did I have to endure fans and coaches verbal abuse? Of course! One simply has to ignore that and enjoy the opportunity to work with young athletes. It’s the love of the game and a strong self-confidence that matters.
Will you log-in your concerns about the lack – and need – of school game officials today?
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BOOK SIGNING
“Yet Another 101 Best of TunneySide of Sports” is available at River House Books at 208 Crossroads Blvd, Carmel. Dr. Tunney will be there on Sunday, September 8th from 2-4 PM to meet and greet and book signing.
Jim’s thirteenth book and the third in a series ‘Yet Another 101 Best of TunneySide of Sports’ was published July 1st. To order a personally autographed copy with free shipping, please send a check for $20 to Jim Tunney Youth Foundation P.O. Box 1440 Pebble Beach, CA. 93953 or use PayPal.
This offer is available to the continental United States only.
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To contact Jim, go to JimTunney.com or email Jim@JimTunney.com. Jim’s books are full of inspiration and interesting stories. Please visit his online store to learn more. Be sure to get Jim’s book ‘Another 101 Best of TunneySide of Sports’ by clicking this link or using the email above to contact Jim directly. These TunneySides take issues from real-life situations and relate them as inspiration for the betterment of others. Jim is available for speaking engagements on leadership and T*E*A*M Building. His books are available for $20 which includes shipping and tax. The Tunney Bobblehead is available for $30. Please visit JimTunney.com. Thank you!
