tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4056005406217946469.post8044031045190177629..comments2023-03-30T21:47:08.518-04:00Comments on Kicking Back: Another "bad guy" gets awayAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17411680916657152897noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4056005406217946469.post-62419706048421040982013-04-13T08:03:19.415-04:002013-04-13T08:03:19.415-04:00Thanks for the comment Frank ... I've lightly ...Thanks for the comment Frank ... I've lightly edited it for the kids that post and read here.<br /><br />Your point is a good one, but I do disagree with it in the mainstream. I would also speculate (and that is all that it is) tennis and golf may be somewhat sui generis in this regard. On the court or the course, or even the field, I agree with you (again mostly) that there is a level of decorum that must be maintained, and in some cases tradition of the sport demands that.<br /><br />Heck, even announcers at Agusta National get suspended fore saying phrases like "bikini-wax" in reference to greens. While I think this is way too up tight, it is tradition and is followed to the blade of grass by those folks.<br /><br />Tennis may be similar in that regard where any dissent or hyperbole is frowned on.<br /><br />One thing I consider is the level of contact with the players in these sports ... which would on the surface to seem relatively light at best. In soccer, basketball, football ... there is a significant amount of regular management that needs to go on ... far, far more than some other sports.<br /><br />Does that make officiating these sports any easier ... nope, not at all. But it does bring to bear a significantly different management tool set.<br /><br />Professionalism includes giving and taking jokes, knowing when, and when not to. Granted Ed may have misplaced that one ... most don't think so including me ... but to interpret that even as an inference to conduct the act and raise it as an issue demonstrates an inflexibility that any good official can not have. I will share a personal opinion and state that few good leaders are so inflexible when it comes to managing a situation.<br /><br />Officials are humans, and the more we dehumanize them by not allowing them to emote, the less effective I think they will be.<br /><br />I was at the highest level (domestically) of the sport too, and my job was to manage egos and foibles that we all have. I crossed lots of lines and was very successful doing it, because at the very end of the day the individuals behind the uniforms appreciated being treated treated with respect and like humans, not automatons.<br /><br />Thanks for reading, and the good comment.<br />PKAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17411680916657152897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4056005406217946469.post-48111976394663343092013-04-13T07:40:55.704-04:002013-04-13T07:40:55.704-04:00You're dead wrong, and if you'd quit (suck...You're dead wrong, and if you'd quit (sucking up to) Ed Rush long enough, you'd realize that a person in his position must be above reproach, for the integrity of the game. Professional tennis - where I have reached the highest levels of officiating - demands that of its top officials. Any supervisor, referee, or umpire acting as Rush had would have been fired immediately, not after an uproar. Whether someone can "take a joke" is irrelevant to professionalism and integrity. In professional officiating, certain topics are not even suitable for jokes. If one wishes to discuss man management, do it professionally and without hyperbole. A stronger, better, more qualified supervisor of officials could have done so. Rush was clearly not up for the job.<br /><br />FrankAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4056005406217946469.post-59826776182088598582013-04-12T21:51:40.016-04:002013-04-12T21:51:40.016-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Frankhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12939609041491740871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4056005406217946469.post-9823724767864700222013-04-12T09:14:59.792-04:002013-04-12T09:14:59.792-04:00I strongly agree ... you may even get a laugh ... ...I strongly agree ... you may even get a laugh ... from his assistaint.<br /><br />Player management is a beautiful thing.<br /><br />PKAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17411680916657152897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4056005406217946469.post-32606805056854090632013-04-12T08:21:39.891-04:002013-04-12T08:21:39.891-04:00"After all of this, the one who was held out ..."After all of this, the one who was held out as a bad actor to make a point, Sean Miller, I am certain will get "kid gloves" treatment in the days ahead in a feigned attempt to avoid any 'impropriety.' "<br /><br />Unfortunately that is probably true. However if I were officiating his next game, the very first thing I would say to him as he walked onto the court would be something along these lines: "Hi Sean, I hope you misbehave tonight, because I am really looking forward to that free trip to Cancun." Now, do you think I will have any problems from Mr. Miller in that game?? I think not. JAFOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17854609642084370526noreply@blogger.com