At age 69, I retired from my position as full professor of history from New Jersey City University. I will continue officiating varsity high school basketball games. There are a number of factors that explain my longevity.  In no particular order, they are:

1. Pregame Preparation

At age 70, I no longer am able to keep up with the young studs. Yet, I continue to officiate a full varsity level schedule. How does a 70-year-old man stay in shape well enough to survive the physical and mental demands of officiating? It takes commitment.

For many years, I would arrive at the game site about an hour before game time. I would engage in some minor stretching while holding a pregame discussion with my partner. I was no different than most officials.

At age 70, I need to fully commit to pregame preparation. Two hours before I even arrive at the game site, I go to my Holy Grail – the local center for health and wellness. I sit in the sauna while reviewing the rules book. The Jacuzzi is next, and then the steam room.  Most people my age would be ready for bed after this routine.  Instead, I head for the high school gymnasium. I stretch some more, and take the court 15 minutes before game time. I am physically prepared. 

2. Maintaining a Sense of Humor

Like most basketball officials. I have experienced a number of frustrating experiences. I tend to respond with a smile. Laughter is medicinal therapy. High school basketball is a game — a sport. Life goes on even of you miss a call.

I once officiated a game with a heart monitor resting on the side of my body. When the coach made some comments, I immediately pointed to the monitor. The coach immediately quieted down. I wonder if heart monitors should become part of the uniform.

And then there was the time when my vocal cords were so strained that the doctor told me no talking — for three weeks. I was just assigned a state game. What to do? I felt that I had some leeway since my assigned partner was a friend, colleague and highly experienced basketball official who understood my plight. Prior to the game, I composed a 5-by-8 card that I handed to both coaches. It included something like, “I cannot talk due to a physical problem, but I can hear, so there is no need to scream at me.” They both looked at me as if I were nuts. Maybe I was.

All went well until I called a technical foul. The coach immediately confronted me. I quickly responded by pointing at my partner; I needed him to verbalize the reason for the “T.” My partner was so shocked that he started laughing. We are still friends. The coach — that is another story. If you cannot laugh at yourself — do not officiate.

3. Dressing Well

I believe we need to prioritize what is important and what is not. I remember when I first started my officiating career, a veteran official noticed that I wore a belt while on the court. The panic in his voice clearly indicated that the belt was restricting my advancement up the ranks. He advised me to purchase Sansabelt pants. He indicated that I would immediately notice the difference in my officiating career. I bought five pair of pants. I really wanted to move up the ladder quickly.

With age comes wisdom. Officials: before you purchase five pair of basketball pants, check with your wife to make sure that the purchase is within your budget and that your credit card is not maxed out.  While you’re checking, you might want to make sure that the beltless pants fit in the waist or you will be spending all your time on the court hitching up your ill-fitting Sansabelt pants.

We should always remember what’s important. Beltless pants do not ease you up the ladder. Hard work, good officiating and proper mechanics do. 

4. One is Never Too Old to Learn Something New and Never Too Old To Ask for Advice

I continually watch younger officials. I look for something new to improve upon. Oftentimes, I can pick up a new technique. Sometimes, I observe a mechanic that I have been using incorrectly. I watch how the official locates himself on the court. What is his demeanor with players? Coaches? Would I have made that call?  

I have also asked experienced officials to observe me. We often get complacent as we grow older. We need the critical and observant eye to keep us fresh. We need to be told the way it is – not the way we want it to be.

Even a 70-year-old needs a mentor to serve as a trusted friend not afraid to address officiating deficiencies in an objective manner. I know I can’t officiate forever. My mentor has promised to be more than forthright when the time comes and he observes that I am losing more than a step. My mentor has promised to tell me when the game has passed me by, and it is time to retire. I trust him. Hallelujah! He has remained silent for this upcoming season.