ALL SPORTS
EDITOR: JEFFREY STERN
jstern@referee.com
FOR ALL SPORTS, ALL LEVELS
Illinois umpires Ryan Verver of Oak Forest (left) and Mike Sliwinski of Willow Springs can earn each other’s respect by supporting each other on the field, working hard and maintaining a professional attitude away from the game.
YEARN IT TO EARN IT By the Referee editors
E
ver try constructing a tower out of playing cards? It isn’t easily built. Once achieved, it’s something to be proud of. But one wrong move and it comes tumbling down. It’s the same thing with your reputation among other officials. No matter how long you’ve been around and the good work you’ve done, a single mistake can ruin it all. Here are some tips to help you keep your image as shiny as a new penny.
Support Your Partners Officials immediately lose respect for officials who show up crewmates. You’re a team. If a crew member is taking care of business, the others should watch his or her flank. Then, if things get out of hand, they must be there for support. If you really want to lose respect, just get caught not paying attention or rolling your eyes when called on for help. Even a slight shrug of the shoulders is the type of negative body language that shows up your partner.
Keep Your Ego in Check Self-promotion and politicking are sure ways to lose respect. Far too often, personal gain, publicity and money get in the way. And then there’s greed. Take the official who will do almost anything to get ahead, get noticed and ultimately get to “the next level.” That type of official seems to care more about personal interests and advancement than the intrinsic values of working a good game. Being a flashy official is one thing. But drawing unwanted
DEAN REID
Respect Is Difficult to Gain, Much Easier to Lose
74 | REFEREE August 2021
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6/17/2021 1:13:13 PM
