The IrREFutable Magazine 5 July 2021

AN OFFICIALS PERSPECTIVE July 2021

There

isn’t one road down this referee journey. The only way to embark on this crusade is to embrace the landmines and potholes.

You are guaranteed to encounter countless hiccups that will force you into hands over face shoulder bopping cry.

The IrREFutable Magazine was designed with those stories in mind. We wanted raw referee stories, human stories beyond the playing field. Our goal is to highlight officials aligned with our core values: empathy, compassion, an entrepreneurial spirit, and the freedom to create something that can impact other people’s lives. Each of these stories speaks to our faith in the future, and I’m excited to share them with you. Please keep your eyes on The IrREFutable Magazine in the coming year for other signs of resilience and renewal because whatever changes 2021 may hold, one thing remains constant, our dedication to this field we share.

Sleepy

“You either walk inside your story and own it, or you stand outside and hustle for your worthiness.”

-Brené Brown

2

3

On the Cover

July 2021

What’s inside

8

What the Tuck?

An interview with Mike Horrey Creator of NEATTUCKS

4

Follow us on Instagram @theirrefutablemag

16

Juneteenth through July 4th

18

In The Beginning, There was Camp

24

28

Prep For The Season

Creating A Level Playing Field

27 5

30

Travel Eating Habits

6

34

Top 5 Mental Wellness Podcasts

Follow us on Instagram @theirrefutablemag

23

Comics & More Comics

Also on pages 15, 20, 22, 23, 27, 33, 36,37,

Issue 5

July 2021 Staff

Kevin Sparrrock

Art Director

Kevin Sparrock

Photography & Illustrations Editorial Contributing Asha P. Sparrock This publication took a lot of time and effort to put together so please respect it! Nothing in this publication can be reproduced in whole or part without the written permission of the editorial team.

Advertising inquires

Still Brooklyn LLC PO BOX 141934 Coral Gables FL 33114-1934 Email: mail@theirrefutable.com

38, 39

A Letter to Tony Brown Please click on the link below to read Tony’s story and Join the fight against pancreatic cancer in support of Tony Brown.

DONATE TODAY

Although advertising is screened, acceptance of an advertisement does not imply Still Brooklyn LLC or the Irrefutable Magazine endorsement of the product or the views expressed. Rates available upon request. The Irrefutable Magazine accepts articles and information for publication, but we reserve the right of refusal and the right to edit for style, content and length.

The views and opinions in the IrREFutable Magazine are those of the authors and not necessarily of The IrRefutable Magazine or Still Brooklyn LLC. The Irrefutable Magazine is published monthly except for a combined June and September issue.

All subscribers and only members receive the magazine as a result of the paid subscription. $9.99 per month. By Still Brooklyn LLC, PO BOX 141934, Coral Gables FL 33114-1934 United States.

Still Brooklyn LLC all rights reserved.

7

An interview with Mike Horrey Creator of NEATTUCKS

By Kevin Sparrock

I am blessed to call Mike Horrey, the inventor of NEATTUCKS, a friend. I met him in camp back in 2008, and he was a year or two into his officiating journey. At the time, I just broke into college basketball ranks, and I was asked to evaluate his on-court performance. Like most hungry young officials who start officiating, Mike would receive instruction and then respond. Sometimes his response came in the form of a question, and other times it came as a statement. Some people would refer to him as a “Yeah but” man. He’s that referee that might annoy some observers with a response instead of just being quiet and listening. Being a creator myself, that type of interaction doesn’t bother me. He wanted to know the ‘Why’ in what we did. His drive to find the ‘why’ led him to create the shirt stay suspenders system called NEATTUCKS. His product is a game-changer for our community. It is the only product that you can wear with pants or shorts. His NEATTUCKS product connected to your officiating jersey, and you looked neat. It kept your shirt tucked in without bulge or wrinkle. It’s excellent for officials in all sports: basketball, baseball, football, and soccer. NEATTUCKS isn’t just for referees. Law enforcement and the military need this product.

We connected via zoom call to discuss the creative process, his business, and his officiating journey.

Kevin Sparrock: Where did this all begin? What’s your truth? How did you start, and at what level?

Mike Horrey: My truth? I became interested in officiating from my friend, who played in the NBA Summer League. He put the bug in his ear. He started refereeing high school his first year, and I just tagged along everywhere with him. He said I might like it. I spoke to my grandfather, who’s influential in my life, and I mentioned it to him, and he was like, you have to go for it. At the time, he was sick. My grandfather, Eugene Johnson, said this would be perfect for you. You are in shape. You love the game; you can still be in the game. You’ll be fair. You’ll be good, and I said let me go for it.

8

I brought it down to three words ’Keep Uniforms Tucked’!

9

How many years ago was that?

Mike Horrey: 2008, 2007, and I went through the referee class in 2009. I went through the class, and as I said, once my grandfather said I should do it, it was confirmation that I needed to do it. And at the time, he was sick. He passed away the week before my test, and our family had his funeral the day after my test. So I dedicated everything to him. Officiating was my focus from there.

Who was your grandfather? Tell me about him?

Mike Horrey: Eugene Johnson was a businessman. He was a businessman and was very successful. He owned a wholesale optical lab—one of the biggest black-owned in New Jersey. So everything was business with us. Once I told him about the refereeing, he said, you can do this, and you don’t know where you will end up. The funny thing is, officiating never popped up with him, and we are a basketball family. We had season tickets to the Nets. We would go to college games, NIT (National Invitational Tournament) games, everything, but we never thought about officiating, and I wish I had thought about it earlier.

So, what was the first camp that you attended?

Mike Horrey: Pastor Torres ran the first real camp I attended. It was a weekend-long camp at Rutgers University, and it was at least two hours of instruction. And that camp allowed me to connect with John Colson. Meeting him helped me a lot in my career. He would put you in the fire, and I was doing many games in New York City.

So, you had never really pursued College. Not because you didn’t want to go, but family obligations were your priority.

Mike Horrey: Yea, family obligations got in the way. I just got married, you know, and I started to settle down, and I was moving. I went to a camp one year after I got married. I had a pretty good camp, and I thought I would get picked up, and I didn’t.

I thought I would be able to come back after that, but I didn’t. I thought I would, but I had to grips with family life with two kids and going back and forth to school.

Real talk. We don’t talk enough about what’s important in people’s lives. So, in

Once I told him about the refereeing, he said, you can do this, and you don’t know where you will end up.

10

the world of officiating, that leads you to your product. Talk a little about that.

Mike Horrey: So, I was introduced to shirt stays from a fellow official, Art Jackson, a military man. He was a Division 1 official, and he did a lot of referee instruction.

He put me on to the shirt stays, and I wore them for the full season and loved them.

I loved them better than the rubber belt that referees use under their pants. I asked him, what do we do in the summer when you wear shorts and go to camps? He said there’s nothing. You can fudge it. You can wrap the straps around your leg and all of this crazy stuff. But there’s nothing out there. And that’s what gave me the light bulb.

So, at the end of the season, literally in one weekend after my last game, is when I started looking into how to make something that’ll fit on the leg and not be visible when you wear shorts.

So, from the minute you came up with the idea to the first sample, how long was that process?

Mike Horrey: My early samples, I had about 14 or 15 prototypes. I was piecing things together. I realized I had to use some elastic and safety pins, and that took about two weeks to come up with something that I thought would work. I went into the fashion district to find different pieces and parts, and then I took sewing classes. I wanted to make it myself because I was nervous about sending my idea to someone else to make. I knew this idea wasn’t out there. So, it was about three weeks that we had the prototype completed. At the time, I rushed it. I was trying to get it ready for this South

11

Jersey High School All-Star classic. I wasn’t doing that game, but one of my boys was working the game, and I asked him to wear them. Before the game, his partners were watching him put the prototype on in the locker room, and they were like, “What is that?” They’re laughing, and they had no idea that I made it. They were saying, “What is this? You know you guys (referees) come up with everything. This is nonsense.”

One of the referees was our High School board President, and it’s funny because now he’s one of the biggest supporters of the product. My boy worked the game, and he was like, “Mike, this is it!” So, he wore the product before me. I didn’t wear them the first time.

I love that story because I was worried about the doubters when I first started my webcomic Fouls & Violations. I knew I could draw the strip, but I was concerned about the comedy. Would it be funny? So I had to learn about comedy. What is the setup and the delivery to a punchline?

Mike Horrey: Yeah, that’s interesting because when you start something, you never know that you’re going to have to wear all these hats. You started it for one thing and didn’t realize you have to market and do a website and do other things.

I guess that’s part of the journey. Your first product didn’t have a buckle.

Mike Horrey: Yes, the first one selling, in the beginning, didn’t have a buckle. I sold them the whole summer.

Guys loved the product, but they had to step into it. If guys were a little bigger, they had to get their partners to help them. But even with that, they loved it. Once I got that feedback from customers, that’s when I created the buckle.

12

Your product isn’t just for referees. It’s for the military and police.

Mike Horrey: Anyone wants to maintain their appearance. In acting, they call it costume continuity. So they keep the same occurrence that you started with.

How does your day-to-day look?

Mike Horrey: The product is six years old now. I’m still doing it all day today. I don’t sew anymore. When I was getting too much volume, I had to find help. So, I was having someone who does dog collars, and that’s kind of close to what I was doing. I have my main factories here in Philly.

How has COVID affected your production?

Mike Horrey: Production hasn’t changed, but demand changed within COVID because we didn’t have any events. Not only were there no games, no camps, no weddings, no events where people wanted to look their best. Sales on sweatpants went up drastically. That summer before COVID, I got a lot of traction with the NBA when they invited me to the G-League and NBA meeting to promote my product. Who was instrumental with that was NBA Referee Mark Lindsay. Mark was huge for me. He became a big advocate for the product. He’s a Philly guy who does a lot of great stuff for his community.

You told me that you had an opportunity to be on the show Shark Tank.

Mike Horrey: Yes. So I didn’t speak to anyone. Two days before they came to town, I found out that they were in Philly for auditions for their show. Their auditions are in different cities, and the lines are several blocks long. So, when I got to Philly, we’re in a line and started reading more of the paperwork, and I got the paperwork to my lawyer. He said maybe I didn’t need Shark Tank at that time. So I got out of the line.

So, you didn’t go, but you still met somebody from the Shark Tank, right?

Mike Horrey: Yes, I didn’t go, but I still had a meeting with Damon John at his office.

He loved the product, and he gave me some good insight on how to market and package. He also wanted me to broaden my marketing outside of officiating. I got some excellent tips from him about the packaging, the labels, and the slogan. At the time, my slogan was pretty long. I brought it down to three words’ Keep Uniforms Tucked’ instead of “The Best Way To Tuck Your Shirt.”

13

Any setbacks?

Mike Horrey: One setback was when my first manufacturer in Georgia contacted me and said that she no longer was willing to produce the product. So, I had to find a new manufacturer.

At any point in your journey, did you ever think about giving the product up?

And if not, what kept you pushing forward?

Mike Horrey: Definitely. At the time when I lost my manufacturer, the future didn’t look very bright. So, I wasn’t sure which direction to go in, but one thing that kept me going was my grandfather, who said I could do it. So, I had to keep pushing, and I also wanted to be successful, and I wanted to have something that made my kids proud. There’s something very gratifying about making something that no one has.

You made it this far. You made something that no one has, and everyone likes it. You might as well keep going. Sometimes people come up to me asking if I plan on selling my product. That was always a sign that I needed to keep it to myself and keep going.

You can find Mike Horrey’s Neattuck product at neattucks.com. Use the promo code (The IrREFutable Mag) for free shipping.

I wasn’t sure which direction to go in, but one thing that kept me going was my grandfather, who said I could do it.

So, I had to keep pushing.

14

GO TO NEATTUCKS.COM TO GET YOUR PAIR!

15

Juneteenth through July 4th

By Asha Pearl Sparrock

Not

simply a holiday, nor a moment in history. Akin to the patriotism displayed

by Americans on Independence Day, Juneteenth is a celebration for black

Americans.

Although the day has passed, it’s important to remember how monumental it is.

We don’t simply support black businesses one day. We don’t donate to causes because it’s trending. On the 4th of July, we don’t shift gears and continue to celebrate as if we”ve become uninformed.

As a black woman, when asked what Juneteenth means to me, I’d have to sum it up in one word: thankful. I am thankful for my ancestors enduring for hundreds of years in a world that refused to see them as equals. Fighting for decades for a chance to be heard and viewed as a person and not an object.

While there is plenty more work to be put in to change our system to benefit all equally, we are leagues away from what we once were.

We saw a gap in policy for our black and brown communities. We commit to raising money for the African American Policy Forum (AAPF). This organization connects academics and activists utilizing new ideas and innovative perspectives to transform public discourse and policy. In addition to volunteering, you can support the AAPF by donating to their projects, such as the #SAYHERNAME campaign.

This Juneteenth, take a moment to reflect on what this day means to you and your community. Support black businesses, organizations, and friends. Not only on Juneteenth but year-round.

16

17

In The Beginning, There was Camp

By Kevin Sparrock

The

first camp I attended was SUBOA’s (Sports United Benevolent Officials Association) three-person camp at Riverside Park in Harlem, New York City. It was a hot and humid summer two-day weekend in June. My first year of officiating basketball, and I was given a scholarship to attend. The scholarship covered 100% of what would have been a $150 entry fee. My only concern was travel expenses. At the time, I lived in New Jersey, so I had to pay for gas, tolls, and parking. So, I thought.

The thing I remember most about that weekend was my car being towed. When I arrived at the site on the first day, I made the mistake of parking at a fire hydrant. I was unaware of where I had to go, so I jumped out to make a quick phone call at a corner payphone. I was thankful I turned around in time to catch the tow truck driver before he sped away with my car that had my referee uniform and bag in the backseat. I couldn’t imagine arriving at my first camp and having to explain that my car was towed with all my belongings and unable to work the assigned games. It was demoralizing enough that the fee to get my car out of the tow yard cost more than the camp itself. So much for that free camp. I never told the camp director about my vehicle being towed. What was important to me was being on time. I arrived with an hour to spare, so I didn’t have to worry about being embarrassed about my tardiness.

Camp Lesson 1: Plan your travel, then double-check your trip. Once you double-check your trip, recheck it.

18

The camp began with two hours of classroom sessions. It wasn’t usual to learn

19

three-person mechanics in your first year of officiating. That early education gave me an advantage over some of my referee colleagues. Most of the basketball referee knowledge I received was at an intermediate level, but I remember being overwhelmed with information. The things that stood out to me the most were the life lessons. Lessons about organizing and preparation. The mechanic’s instruction took years for me to develop and fully comprehend. Some of the techniques have become obsolete. That’s because the game has changed, and the players have evolved.

Throughout the entire class session, I can’t recall asking a single question. I had that ‘Ah Ha’ moment, telling me that officiating sports was more than just showing up with a striped shirt. I realized my development was based on the methods and systems you create for yourself, and that process really excited me. Each level, whether AAU, high school, or college, needed a new system and technique. How you traveled, packed your bag, and prepared for a game had to be adjusted in preparation for each level.

Camp Lesson 2: Be a sponge. Know your role as a listener. Be last to speak and ask questions. Remember you don’t know everything. If you did, why are you at camp?

Know your role as a listener. Be last to speak and ask questions.

20

Stuff happens that will interrupt your sleep habits, so factor in sleep and recovery time.

After the classroom session, I worked on approximately three games. After the final game, I jumped on the 2 train to retrieve my car from the Hunts Point tow truck lot in The Bronx. I made it to the lot just before closing. The attendant told me that I would’ve had to pick my car up on Monday if I was five minutes later. That was two days later, and the fee would have been three times the amount. I made it home around 10pm, and I might have had four hours of sleep only to be back up at 5am for a 7 am class.

Camp Lesson 3: Sleep quick. Between games and classroom sessions its common to feel your body shutting down or feeling a level of exhaustion. Stuff happens that will interrupt your sleep habits, so factor in sleep and recovery time. Find time through the day to take a break, mentally and physically.

Day two, our performance expectation changed from game to game and play to play. Observers screamed at campers about the position, mechanics, and lack of hustle. I had to learn quickly. Every game, I attempted to master one thing an observer told me. The weekend became a blur.

21

I didn’t realize how much talent was at the tournament. Several High School players would make it to the NBA and D-League. I also met new people that became life-long friends. It was also my first time at Riverside Park. I was so absorbed in the grind and the work I never raised my head to smell the sweat locker rooms or see the sunrise.

Camp Lesson 4: Enjoy the moment. When you are at camp, you are there to work, and it becomes a blur. Don’t walk away without taking in the experience.

You must know that your camp journey will be totally different. I can honestly say that I’ve received some great advice during my journey. Whether I listened to it is another story. Work hard, absorb rest and take in the sunrise. It goes so fast.

A flower can only grow if you plant it.

Enjoy the moment. Don’t walk away without taking in the experience.

22

COMICS FROM FOULSANDVIOLATIONS.NET

23

Prep For The Season

By Michael Diamond-Hunter

It’s

definitely feeling like Spring here in the UK. To be fair, what spring feels like is somewhat similar to many other times of the year – some rain, overcast or partially cloudy skies, and temperatures in a high somewhere between 10 and 15 degrees Centigrade (that’s roughly between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit for those of you reading in the US). With Spring comes a sense of hope, life, and optimism for the future. I haven’t felt this way for a very long time. The newness that this Spring brings can be refreshing and filled with trepidation. As I am certain for many of you all, it’s going to be a challenge navigating our way back into a post-pandemic life.

For basketball in the UK, this time of year is the end of the season, a culmination of the work that teams, players, and officials have done. All of this is geared towards reaching the playoffs and winning a championship – no matter what the division is (U14, U18, etc.). At this point in the season, I have solidified and entrenched my routine: reinforcing my good habits, analysing video of my positioning, practicing my signals and projection, burnishing my rules knowledge, familiarising myself with offensive and defensive sets, and working on the mental and interpersonal aspects of officiating that are crucial to effective game management in an intense, playoff atmosphere. This year, however, has been completely different. For me, it has been more of a holding pattern over the last 14+ months – like an amalgamation of feelings best described as a combination of the Groundhog Day, The Truman Show, an M.C Escher painting, and Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot. Lately though, I have been feeling generally more positive, and like Brood X (for all you nature buffs), I am feeling the drive to come out of a long state of stasis and prepare myself for an emergence unlike anything I have ever experienced. What’s changed?

First, the Covid situation in the UK is waning (hopefully for good!) and I was fortunate enough to get my first dose of the vaccine. Here in the UK, things are running slightly differently than the US; I’m scheduled to get my next one in a few months’ time. I see it as doing my part to help my friends, loved ones, neighbors, and the broader community in London and in the UK to get back to doing the things that are more important than basketball. Maybe it is giving a relative a hug; perhaps for others it is being able to spend time again with your best friends. It can also be the

24

anticipatory feeling of making new acquaintances, or the deep feeling of relief that you can do many of the things you liked doing without putting others in harm’s way.

As officials, we try to do the best we can to work well with our partners, and to be of service to the game – players, coaches, spectators, and everyone else who is involved. All of these thoughts have played a part in my willingness to get the vaccine, and as officials, I trust that you will also consider doing what is best to get everyone back on the court and in the gym. Having this peace of mind and sense of security has helped me to change my mindset regarding what I believe will be a highly-charged start to the upcoming 2021-2022 basketball season.

Secondly, this newly rejuvenated sense of calm has been a boon for helping me to do long-term planning again. Feeling like there is going to be an end to things shifts a lot for me: having a “light at the end of the tunnel” means that I have the headspace to devote to fully being into the work that I need to do to get prepared. Granted, we all have been doing things here in the UK to stay motivated and engaged. There have been plenty of zoom calls, physically-isolated workouts, and diving into the rules and interpretations that officials have done here. It would also be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge that everything has been a grind, and the constancy of this can affect all of us in different ways. The sense of a receding epidemic (at least here in the UK) is a major turning point for me. In speaking to other referees, this has been a common theme – their motivation and drive are returning to the incredibly high levels that they had pre-Covid.

To bring this point home, think about if you were refereeing a basketball game, with the following caveat: you had no idea how many quarters the game was going to be. Instead of having a definitive winner at the end of an OT period where a team was ahead, imagine just having quarter after quarter to referee, with no pre-determined amount given. I have a feeling that we would all be ready to referee a game with multiple OTs – which can be really exciting to be a part of! Think about having to do referee a game that is 8 full periods long, and then getting up to 16 periods, and then up to

A “light at the end of the tunnel” means that I have the headspace to devote to fully being into the work that I need to do to get prepared.

25

32, etc. At some point, no matter how good or diligent we have been with our prep, the grind of being as highly focused for that amount of time can drain and grate on us.

In baseball, they’re called the “dog days” of the season; in the NBA, the grind (for 1st year players) is usually called “hitting the wall”. This is a thing that happens to all of us – we’re human after all! Recovering and regrouping from this is a skill that we can get better at doing, and having this in my tool box has been essential for moving from a state of referee purgatory to a state of robust preparation.

Since this is akin to a very long off-season, I’ve been redoubling my efforts to plan for September. It has to be meticulous and well-planned – I don’t want any serious injuries or setbacks to happen as I ramp up my activity levels and training. During this time, I’ve never felt as mentally prepared for a season. I want to do all that I can to make sure that the physical aspect matches that, and over the next few months, I’ll be taking you through what I am doing to get ready for what I hope will be a successful – and most importantly, a safe start – to the season ahead. There will inevitably be diversions and bumps along the way, but now that my feet are under me with respect to my new job, I’m working on doing the things necessary to ensure that I am in tiptop shape for the future. I am unsure how everyone will respond once the next season commences; I imagine it will be full of energy and incredibly exciting – I can feel it even though I am just writing about it! This buoys me, but I am also cognisant that this will be a brand-new challenge, one that will test my resolve and determination as a referee and as a person. As of now, I am ready for the work that needs to be done in order to meet this challenge head-on. I invite you to come with me as we work to individually and collectively meet this challenge together.

26

All The Basketball Rules in One WITH AL BATTISTA

NCAA Men’s Edition T

F

1. A1 is dribbling, B1 attempts to steal the ball and hits A1 accidentally on the hand causing A1 to lose control of the ball. The trail official “no calls” the play.

T

F

2. There are no successive time outs at the end of regulation of play or at the expiration of any overtime period.

T

F

3. Team A is winning 60-59 with “5” seconds left in regulation. Team A started the game with 6 players. With “5” seconds left in regulation they are down to “1” player. Team A must forfeit the game.

T

F

4. A1 attempts a field goal. While the ball is on the ring, B3 strikes the back board and this causes the ball to fall off the ring. This is an example of Goal-Tending.

T

F

5. A1 is performing a throw-in on the end line and steps on the line. The trail official “no calls” the play.

NCAA Women’s Edition

T

F

1. A tap is considered a try.

T

F

2. A1 taps the ball while being airborne. A1 “runs over” B2 who is in a legal guarding position. A1 has committed an offensive foul.

3. After the bonus is in effect, B1 is penalized for holding A1. A1 erroneously is not awarded her free throws. Team A is awarded the ball out of bounds. Thrower-In A1 throws the ball to A3 who scores on a successful “3” point shot. The officiating crew now discovers the error.

What is the final outcome?

T

F

4. When dribbled vertically, without rotation, the ball shall return directly to the dribbler’s hand.

T

F

5. All players should be observed at all times.

NFHS Edition

T

F

1. A substitute shall not enter the court without reporting to the official scorer. If he/she does not, the team shall be charged with a technical foul.

T

F

2. The punch signal has been eliminated for team control fouls.

T

F

3. The game ends with the score Team A-68 and Team B-66. The officials have not left the confines of the court. Team A’s Head Coach curses at the officiating crew and they penalize the Head Coach with a technical foul. If Team B makes two free throw attempts the game will continue into Overtime.

T

F

4. The ruling official has reported the foul and the Lead official is ready to administer a free throw.

A1 is huddling with teammates by the team bench area. Team A should be charged with a delay of game warning.

T

F

5. A free throw attempt must be made within 10 seconds. T-F

ANSWERS ON PAGE 37

27

Creating A Level Playing Field

By Chuck Vasser

When

I was a rookie referee, one of my first assignments was a 10 and under game at a local Boys and Girls Club. I made a foul call and got the usual groans and gripes. At the Throw in spot, one particularly vocal fan said some really inappropriate things. I ignored the comments and handed the ball to the thrower who stepped onto the court. I called a violation immediately. The same rude voice that had made the previous comment said. “Great call, Ref. You’re doing a wonderful job”. Wow. Welcome to the world of a basketball referee. I’m still telling that story 25 years later because what I learned, in that moment was, get the call right and be comfortable with yourself.

There are two sides to being a referee. The first is knowledge of the rules coupled with when, how and why you apply them. The other side falls under Game Management. Game Management is a bigger than we realize because the game is us and we are the game. All of the real action belongs to the players, and some of the more knowledgeable and animated coaches, but the game is always directly affected by the officials. It starts with the pregame. Are you and your partner on the same page.

What are you looking for today? Is there anything in particular you should be aware of? Did you have a good breakfast? What? Where did that come from? If you are you looking to officiate the best game you can today that may be an important question?

What else is on your mind?

We are often told our best games are when we are invisible. Referees are never invisible but our work is often so subtle, you didn’t remember we were there. Our work fits in seamlessly with the game’s fabric. Tough game, top opponents, championship on the line, a referee’s call may help or kill a rally, but if it’s the right call, you’ve done your job. When you walk into the gym, your the REFEREE. Nothing more and nothing less, and your job is to adjudicate the game fairly and honestly. That’s often called “creating a level playing field”. That’s what you signed on to do. I’ve done high school boys, girls, private, catholic and just about every adult, corporate and urban tournament in NYC at one time or another. I’ve done solo games where I’ve kept the score and the clock. For a good official, there is very little difference. Sure the mechanics,

28

the positioning and the rules are different. Salaries are different and the stakes may be bigger, but the immutable fact is getting it right. Sure, you can approach the game as a hard ass or you can be the guy that likes to explain. What wins the day every time is letting your whistle do the talking.

Recently, I saw a referee call a technical foul on a player after the game was over and lost by a large margin. The comment made by the player was made to the referee and not heard by anyone else. The referee felt it was important to send a message. What message do you think he was sending? What message do you think the player/losing team/coach got? What message are you sending when you officiate a game.

Charles Vasser: Chuck lives and works in New York City. He began officiating in 1997, trained by NYSUBOA and Charles LLoyd. He ran a Beginner Basketball Program for 6-12 year olds and coached a 10 and Under Travel Program for NYC largest Boys and Girls Club for 12 years.

He jokes about his Killer B’s competing and winning against many top teams because he instilled in them a “Referee’s knowledge of the game”.

His teams usually committed fewer fouls and turnovers and executed plays better than the “other guys”. Chuck is currently the IAABO Board 42 Interpreter and runs the Referee New Applicant Program for IAABO BD. 42 and NYSUBOA.

See more from Chuck @ communitygreen.wordpress.com

29

Travel Eating Habits

By Asha Pearl Sparrock Convenient options such as fast food establishments and restaurants constructing to-go services are always popular. Historically, fast food is considered “cheap” and “unhealthy”. While healthier options are becoming more mainstream, it’s not always accessible.

Whether flying, driving, or training it to your next location, there’s inexpensive and delicious ways to eat on the go. Here are a few ways to prepare to stay satiated for your next journey.

Meal Prep We see it on social media. We hear our friends talk about how life-changing it is.

Work out gurus live by it. Meal prepping is one day of a messy kitchen for a week of stress-less, guilt-less eating. Meal prep knowing you’ll have a microwave at the office is relatively simple. Have a protein, a grain, and a veggie. Throw in some fruit if you’re feeling spicy. However, for the frequently traveling official, you may need to be a bit more creative.

Snack Often There are three vital meals per day: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast being the most important to jumpstart your metabolism. For those who are more active throughout the day, there’s a few snack times thrown in there as well. When the word “snack” comes to mind, often our thoughts gravitate towards chips and chocolate. Though baked chips and date sweetened chocolate bars are much healthier alternatives, there are ways to prep a snack at home to save a few dollars on your trip. Yogurt is packed with protein and potassium. It also helps to up your calorie count. Yogurt can seem plain, though, if not topped with a little extra flavor. Try finishing your cup of yogurt off with some fruit and granola.

30

Here’s a recipe for granola that’s delicious and quick to make!

HOMEMADE GRANOLA INGREDIENTS: ½ cup coconut oil ½ cup honey ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon salt 3 cups rolled oats 1 cup sliced almonds 1 cup dried chopped fruit (raisins or cranberries) HOW TO PREPARE: * Heat oven to 300° F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. * Whisk together oil, honey, cinnamon, and salt. * Add the oats and almonds and stir to coat. * Spread mixture out onto the prepared baking sheet.

Bake for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through. * When golden brown, remove from oven and top with fruit. Allow to cool before serving. * Store in airtight container at room temperature.

31

Inform Yourself A Nickelodeon commercial in the early 2000s informed us about the language that the nutrition facts on the packages of our food really means. “Anything that rhymes with ‘gross’ is sugar.” Examples; glucose, lactose, and fructose. Other ingredients like high fructose corn syrup, riboflavin, and thiamine mononitrate sound as if they should be in a science class. Look up what these ingredients are and how they may affect your body before your next purchase.

Be Mindful Going hand-in-hand with informing ourselves, being mindful of what you consume each day is tolling. You must be aware of what ingredients are in your food and then determine whether or not that’s the best option. Don’t drive yourself crazy with calories. However, sugars and salt are the true culprits in many processed fast foods.

Take the extra time to make snacks at home and control exactly what you put in your food to think about the best possible ingredients that’ll give the most energy.

32

THECLEANWHISTLE.COM

33

A CLEAN WHISTLE IS A HAPPY WHISTLE!

Top 5 Mental Wellness Podcasts

By Asha Pearl Sparrock As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to an end, it’s important for us to stay up to date on the resources available to us. There are a number of approaches on how we cope with anxiety, depression, grief, etc. While consulting therapists and psychiatrists are often considered the traditional approach, sharing stories and hearing others relate to our struggles can be equally as helpful.

We’re aware that there are many types of learners. While some are visual or hands-on, others are auditory. Podcasts are especially valuable resources for auditory learners who wish to hear about mental health awareness. Whether driving to the office or traveling to a game, these podcasts are easy to listen to and equally as entertaining on your journey.

The Friend Zone Heyfranhey, Dustin, Assante Your podcast for everything “mental health, mental wellness, and mental hygiene; because who in the hell wants a musty brain.” A personal favorite of mine, this podcast explores subjects from inner monologues to stepping into the “crime zone.” The occasional “shoot the shit” episodes that consist of no hot button and no segments, still bring a sense of warmth and always offer something to think about for the rest of your week.

Small Doses Amanda Seales With a book of the same name, the Insecure star brings “potent truths for everyday use.” With star-studded guests exploring topics from art appreciation to how music influences the internet which in turn influences how we act. If you follow Seales on Instagram, @amadaseales, and have ever seen any of her videos on IGTV, that’s a taste of what you’re in for.

34

35

Therapy For Black Girls Joy Harden Bradford Dr. Joy Harden’s meaningful conversations and advice feel like you’re being rocked to sleep in your mothers’ arms. As life teaches us lessons, Therapy For Black Girls gives us small doses (see what I did there?) that edges us towards becoming a better version of ourselves. While historically, therapy has been geared away from the black community, Dr. Harden gives insight to areas that particularly affect black and brown individuals and coping mechanisms for everydays trauma.

Griefcast Cariad Lloyd Comedy is often considered the best therapy. Other times it’s a way to avoid discussing trauma. “Cheerier than it sounds”, Griefcast explores human responses to trauma due to grief and death. Host and comedian Cariad Lloyd has intimate conversations sprinkles with halarity that you’d otherwise reserve for more serious conversations.

Unlocking Us Brene Brown The revered story-teller’s podcast, now exclusively on Spotify, “reflect the universal experiences of being human, from the bravest moments to the most brokenhearted.” Putting a narrative to everyday struggles is Brown’s specialty, making us feel a little less alone.

36

ANSWERS for Basketball Rules WITH AL BATTISTA

NCAA MEN’S EDITION ANSWERS

NCAA WOMEN’S EDITION ANSWERS

NFHS EDITION ANSWERS

1. True- 4-18-2-a.

1. True- 5-1-7.

2. True-5-14-13-b.

2. True- 10-10-1-a-3

1. False- 10-3-1, (charged to substitute).

3. False-3-2-2.

3. A1 will shoot “2” free throws with no players lined up. The game will continue with Team B’s ball on the end line with all privileges. A.R. 58.

2. True- Manual- Mechanic Change.

4. True- 1-16-6.

5. True- 9-1-3-a.

4. False-9-15-2-5.

5. True-9-4-1-f

3. True-5-6-Exception-4.

4. False- 10.2.1 Situation B-Case Book.

5. True-CCA Manual- 2.5.H

You want more rules and videos? Go to MatchupOfficiating@groups.io

37

A Letter to Tony Brown

By Kevin Sparrock The date was February 17, 2012. You were working a game in Philadelphia with Kevin Cutler (KC). I contacted KC earlier in the day, and we decided to connect at the Philadelphia Airport Marriott. Before that day, the last time our paths crossed was when you made trips up to New York City to work the Nike Pro-Am Tournament.

You might not remember this, but as you exited the elevator to meet up with us downstairs at the bar, a 5’8” black woman followed you into the bar and sat a few barstools away from us as you, KC, and I greeted each other. It was great catching up with you and discussing our families and career. I think back on that time about how very young in my career I was. I was working the WNBA and college basketball and was still hopeful for so much more. Even with your NBA successes, you made my career feel extremely promising. Not once did I feel inferior in talent. The way you approached people always made it easy to root for you.

It wasn’t long before the women who followed you into the bar struck up a conversation with us. We talked about a good hour before the bar closed. What you don’t know is that woman, Ajaya, later become my wife. Like myself, she is a Brooklyn, NY kid.

She is currently a professor in Miami, and at the time, she was the athletic trainer for the Columbia men’s basketball team and was traveling with her team.

One of the running jokes in our marriage was that she wasn’t even checking me out. She was looking at you and KC, and I was the third option. We have a lot of fun with this story. Had she not been checking you out, I always say to her she probably would have never walked into the bar. I’m not one to believe in coincidence. I’ve always believed God designs, writes and directs the script. My wife and I grew up a few miles apart, and we knew some of the same people. We always found it odd that two Brooklyn Born kids would meet in a Philadelphia airport.

The next time you and I crossed paths was in the summer of 2019 at a basketball meeting on the west coast. You greeted me like a long-time friend. You had that same spirit from our previous meeting.

38

Devastated doesn’t describe what I felt when I received the news of your stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis. I immediately thought about your wife and family. Your kids.

How are they taking this news? I then thought about you working the 2020 NBA Finals and the 2021 All-Star game. I thought about how healthy and strong you are. My mind then went back to that day in February 2012, the day I met my wife. I thought about our conversation and interaction on that day.

People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

-Maya Angelou I won’t pretend to say I know you, but I remember how you made me feel every time our paths crossed. You have always displayed grace and compassion. Our conversations have always been thoughtful. I thank you for that. My wife and I continue to pray for you. I just wanted to tell you; I appreciate you. God has the wheel.

Many Blessings

Please click on the link below to read Tony’s story and Join the fight against pancreatic cancer in support of Tony Brown.

DONATE TODAY

39

Become a Sponsor to the IrREFutable Magazine.

Connect and advertise!

thecleanwhistle.com

www.neattucks.com

foulsandviolations.net

refereerant.com

bballreferees.com

Instagram@iamofficialapparel

biggameofficials.com

THE FIRST WEBCOMIC ABOUT THE LIFE OF A REFEREE REFEREE

GO TO: FOULSANDVIOLATIONS.NET

PURCHASE YOUR COPY NOW!

GET YOUR IRREFUTABLE GEAR NOW! T-SHIRTS , MUGS ...AND MORE

HEAD TO THEIRREFUTABLE.COM AND CLICK ON OUR STORE TAB. This is a personal online magazine collaboration- not a peer reviewed journal. We make no representation as to accuracy completeness, correctness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses injuries, or damage arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is- basis. It is the reader’s responsibility to verify their own facts.

The views and opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other agency, organization, employer or company. Assumptions made in the analysis are not reflective of this position of any entity other than the author(s) – and, since we are critically- thinking human beings, these views are always subject to change, revision and rethinking at any time. Please do not hold us to them in perpetuity.

Comments on this magazine are the sole responsibility of their writers will take full responsibility , liability, and blame for any libel or litigation that result from something written in or as a direct result of something written in a comment. Therefore, feel free to challenge us and disagree with us in the comments section – but we reserve the right to delete any comments for any reason whatsoever (abusive, profane, rude, etc.) – So keep it polite and relevant. Please!

The authors of the magazine are not to be held responsible for misuse, reuse, recycled and cited and/ or uncited copies of content within this blog by others.

Limitation of Liability: Under no circumstances shall company or its affiliates, Partners, Suppliers or licensors be liable for any indirect. Incidental consequential, special, or exemplary damages arising out of or in connection with your access or use of or inability to access or use the application and third party content and services, whether or not the damages were foreseeable and whether or not company was advised of the possibility of such damages, without the generality of the foregoing, company’s aggregate liability to you whether under contract, tort, statute or otherwise) shall not exceed the amount of fifty dollars ($50.00). The foregoing limitations will apply even if the above statement remedy fails of its essential purpose.

41

41