‘Twas the night of the big game and the gym had a crowd

The excitement was heavy, the cheering was loud.

Everyone was nestled, so tight in the stands,

People were shouting and clapping their hands.

Then up from the crowd there arose such a clatter

The players looked up to see what was the matter

What with their wondering eyes did they see?

But a team of professional, fine referees.

Dressed in their stripes, they were confident and proud --

They had the experience, they could handle the crowd.

The lanyards were hung from their necks with great care

They would make sure the game would be honest and fair.

They had watched games on tape, and they’d asked for critiques;

Studying and preparing for hours, days and weeks.

They had studied the rules, and attended extra classes,

The work would pay off tonight with respect from the masses.

These refs had been dreaming all year in their beds --

While visions of post season danced in their heads.

The opportunity was present, the evaluator was there,

A possible post-season assignment hung in the air.

These assignments were not simply given, but readily earned,

And the officials were ready to apply everything they had learned.

With 50 combined years of experience, this was an officiating gem,

The best of the best was how the crowd would esteem them.

Up went the ball and the tip off began

You could barely hear the whistle above the roar of each fan

Foul call, violation, out of bounds and some traveling

The calls were all made, the time clock unraveling

They kept the game running, their eyes on players and ball,

And the evaluator in the crowd, he agreed with their calls.

No one could argue, he noted with glee,

Or find any fault in these fine referees.

The evaluator was smiling, for they put on a good show.

The rule application was impeccable, with flawless game flow.

Bench decorum was maintained with respect in the air,

For coach, player and fan knew the refs had played fair.

He looked at their uniforms, sharp and well pressed.

This kind of official had always impressed.

They had accepted their games, whether paid great or small,

And never complained, though sometimes not paid at all.

They had always been solid, their court rotation was fine,

And every single game was arrived at on time.

This kind of dedication was a sign of refinement,

He knew this team was ready for a bigger assignment.

When the game ended, the evaluator approached

But he didn’t talk to the players, he didn’t talk to the coach.

He congratulated the officials, for he knew they’d been great --

And thought to himself as he parted: “I’ll see you at state.”

The opportunity to work a championship game at any level is a dream of all who enter the officiating realm.  For the high school official, the assignment to a big game at the state tournament is a real treat.  It is a goal that is on their minds as the season begins, and hopefully on their schedule as the last game of the year. 

As we approach this very special time of the year, a time of reflection, a time for family, a time of joy; may each of you be a step closer to the goals you have set and the accomplishments you hope to reach, but at the same time, it is also important to remember that this thing called officiating that we do for fun and enjoyment, must be kept in the proper perspective in the whole scheme of our lives.