Click here to immediately hear To save and listen click here . It has been my good fortune through the years to get to know some of basketball's fine referees. This whistle blowing stuff is tough work, and the sad part about being a basketball official is how under-appreciated members of that profession are. I blame television for a lot of referee problems.
TV portrays most officials as the enemy of the whole hoop process.
Nothing could be further from the truth. I tried my hand at officiating for a brief period of time, but I tired of the abuse, especially the verbal abuse. Adults are the worst culprits, and although most players on the basketball floor will act toward the game referee just about like they're allowed to act, there's not enough respect for the profession in general, and that's too bad. I have many fond memories of my days of teaching and coaching in Indiana. It may be hoops grandest stage for high school basketball.