Kudos to Tom Weir (USA Today) and the Chicago Bulls

Often times I rail and whine here about the need for adults to act like adults and stop blaming a referee for their own circumstances. Tom Weir and the Chicago Bulls did exactly that ... they did not blame the referee.

In Weir's story (Did refs hose Bulls last night? Not really) he provides a thoughtful analysis of the free throw situation across the series thus far, clearly indicating that the result was "fairly predictable" that the Bulls did not get to the line that much in game 5. He actually used facts, real facts to show that:

Going into Game 4the FT tries were near even, with Miami holding a 68-67 edge. That wasn't to be expected, given that Miami was one of the NBA's best teams at getting to the line during the regular season. The Heat's 2,288 FT attempts ranked third, behind only Denver (2,429) and Oklahoma City (2,401). The Bulls ranked 11th.

Equally heartening was that the Bulls did not play "the ref card", as Weir calls it. There were several great quotes from the Bulls who, I think, had a very enlightened view of what happened.

The Bulls didn't play the ref card. Carlos Boozer told the Chicago Tribune that, "We've never been an excuse team. We're not going to start being an excuse team now. They got fouled, I guess we didn't."

Added Taj Gibson: "Whatever happens, you can't argue with the ref. They're going to make the call, so you have to keep playing. You can't hang your head and whine about the call. You have to keep playing."

It gave me great hope that there are some level heads out there that at least recognize, even if the referee is wrong, that you have to keep going. Believe me, referees reflect deeply on mistakes they made, and even ones they did not, to make things better. Having a player or coach bark at you in the press does not make things any better, or help the overall situation.

Kudos to Mr. Weir and the Bulls.

Massachusetts 2011 Appointments to the Region I Tournaments

One of the most exciting things for me in my young career as a referee was to travel to matches in different states, see different teams, and work with other referees.

As we approach the thrust of the Spring 2011 season there are several young referees who have distinguished themselves to earn the privilege to attend some of the most prestigious youth tournaments in this part of the country, and may earn the opportunity while there, to go even further.

Please join me in congratulating all the referees below for their upcoming appointments.

President's Cup (May 27-30, 2011 - Saratoga Springs, NY):

Jordan Cavaco
Cory Cloutier
Mike Filios
Ron Judd
Aaron Lewinter
Max Perkins
David Rixham
Eric Schreiber
Kristin Sundberg
Brian Trischitta
Matthew Visconti

ODP Region I Tournament - (June 10-12, 2011 - Rider University, NJ):

Kenneth Koopmans
Anthony Brossi
Corson Fidler
Nicholas Grimard
Aaron Lewinter
Cara Pember
Max Perkins
Jo-Ellen Rowley
Kristin Sundberg
Brian Trischitta
Sarah Wooley

Alternates:

Matthew Visconti

Danielle Kaminski

David Rixham

Region I Championships - (June 30 - July 5, 2011 - Huntington, WV):

Anthony Brossi
Cory Cloutier
Michael Dee
Nathanael Dewhurst
Randall Kelley
Kenneth Koopmans
Nelson Machado
Jennine Regan
Peter Ries
Eric Schreiber
Kristin Sundberg
Alex Wallach-Hanson

Alternates:

DJ Corey

Sarah Wooley

Danielle Kaminski

Aaron Lewinter

Upgrade Kudos

As we have done here in the past, I would like to congratulate Raul Carreno, who has recently been upgraded to Grade 7 (Referee 1st Class).

Well done!

Upgrade Kudos

As we have done here in the past, I would like to congratulate Tim Likosky, who has recently been upgraded to Grade 7 (Referee 1st Class).


Well done!

"You're Welcome"

As many of you have seen from me in the past, I am an avid follower of Not Running a Hospital. Its author, Paul Levy, is a longtime friend to THE game, as well as an accomplished advocate for those who do not always have a voice.

In a recent post, he opined about accepting gratitude. While granted it is not something a referee hears often, it is something that we need to respond to in the right way as often times truly compelling and constructive conversation may follow.

Trust me ... this has tremendous effect. One very, very early morning leaving Ohio after an MLS game, Greg Andrulis, former coach of The Columbus Crew, was quietly waiting for a flight and we happened to bump into each other. He stopped me and started the conversation with "Thanks ... ." What a great conversation starter. From there we chatted for about 10 minutes and I recall learning more about the MLS through a coaches eyes than I had ever heard or learned before.

My recommendation is to read Paul's article on accepting gratitude, and be ready for that moment to engage in conversation as it can provide wisdom and insight that one may never easily get otherwise.

Should have kept his day job ...

Photo courtesy of Fox Sports

Reports from the training camp that Ochocinco is attending are pretty clear. This quote from the AP says a lot.

Locked out of his day job, Ochocinco opened a four-day tryout with Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday and by the end of his first day with the Major League Soccer team the star receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals was panting for breath.

He said himself he did not expect to be "Superman" ... but many, I think, expected more than what he has shown.

I for one give him credit for a couple of things. First, he clearly underestimated the fitness level required and kudos to him for going through the paces with an MLS team. He said himself he ate some "humble pie." I personally have taken that ride and I am with him ... it hurts.

Second, childhood fantasy or media stunt, he is making the effort, not just showing up and taking pictures. In a particularly vivid moment when asked if he would play for free, he quickly said,  "Yes. Can I do that?"

So at the end of the day while I believe there is no place in KC's lineup for Ochocinco, there seems to be a genuine part of him that loves THE game ... and would play, if he could, for free.

I doubt however that Peter Vermes is going to give him that chance.

Baharmast Selected for 2011 NASO Gold Whistle Award

*** NASO PRESS RELEASE ***

RACINE, Wis. — Esse Baharmast, a 1998 World Cup referee and 1997 MLS referee of the year, was selected by the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) as the recipient of its 2011 Gold Whistle Award.

“Esse Baharmast represents all the qualities of professionalism in officiating,” said NASO President Barry Mano. “His personal ethic, his hard work and his caring about the officiating community is without parallel. When he was on the pitch, his conduct and capability brought a special credibility to the match. Away from the game itself his influence has been even greater. He teaches, mentors and helps other officials excel. He has a unique talent for that. Esse represents officiating in a way that makes every one of us proud. He is such a credit to our industry.” ...

See the complete NASO press release archives here. Previous recipients of the award can be found here.

Kicking Back Comments: Esse is certainly one of the great referees of our time. Based on his resume and accomplishments is certainly deserving of this laurel.

 Special thanks to C.W. Rice for bringing this forward.

Welcome Ed Rae and Erich Simmons

Just as it is a desire to referee at the highest level, there are those of us (myself included) who desire to assess at the highest level as well.

In the US, these folks are termed "Referee Inspectors" and a description of their role is here from US Soccer, and below:

REFEREE INSPECTORS
U.S. Soccer will appoint certain National Assessors as Referee Inspectors. This designation is at the discretion of U.S. Soccer and is reviewable at any time. Referee Inspectors will be empowered to assess all games but specifically at the Pro-Level and international level. In addition, all National Referees and National Candidates must have at least one of their annual assessments as a referee conducted by a Referee Inspector.

It gives me great pleasure to announce both Ed Rae and Erich Simmons as two of the newest US Soccer referee inspectors for 2011.

Please join me in congratulating them on this significant accomplishment!

"Soccer: Your game for life"

Must time is spent from many of us discussing either the youth game, or the professional and international game. There are times it can be easy to forget the space in between where there are tens of thousands of players in the US, and no doubt millions across the globe.

This space is where the adult players reside.

It is my opinion that no referee is ready for "the big time" unless they have a healthy diet of "adult" matches under their belt. I place adult in quotes because I am referring to chronological age only and not behavior patters as frankly some of the most childish behavior I have seen has been during these matches. Which is exactly why it is critical for referees to get experience in them.

Much is said about US Youth Soccer and AYSO, the youth organizations in the US that support THE game, and rightly so as these are huge mechanisms that keep the youth engaged and excited about THE game. This is no small feat as soccer is the most played sport in the US for the youth.

In "the gap" as it were (which is really funny as this "gap" is the largest chronological span in a players life) is the adult game. Here, the USASA has purview as the keeper of the adult game, with the (very appropriate) tagline "Soccer - your game for life."

While I think we hear less about these folks, they play a vital role in preserving continuity in THE game. After all, where does one play after U-19? Here is where the USASA provides a venue for competition after ones "youth."

As you would expect, there is a critical need for referees to service THE game at this level. As you also would expect, there is a referee committee made up of some of the best and brightest administrators to assure referees are well represented and THE game is cared for. A listing of these folks is here.

You may note a familiar name.

Indeed, Massachusetts SRA, Andy Weiss has been named as the Region I referee administrator for the USASA. Please join me in congratulating him to his, additional, new post.

I am confident he will be the guardian of THE adult game for the USASA, as he has done throughout his career for Massachusetts.

Upgrade Kudos

As we have done here in the past, I would like to congratulate Russell Legault, who has recently been upgraded to Grade 7 (Referee 1st Class).

Well done!

Upgrade Kudos

As we have done here in the past, I would like to congratulate Corey Samuelson, who has recently been upgraded to Grade 7 (Referee 1st Class).

Well done!

Upgrade Kudos

Like the first birth of the New Year, we have our first upgrade of 2011.

Please join me in congratulating Dusan Basta for the achievement of attaining Grade 7 (Referee 1st Class).

Well done!!

Upgrade Kudos

As we have done here in the past, I would like again to congratulate the following referee who has recently been upgraded.

Congratulations to Omar Tizi-ougdal!!

Upgrade Kudos

As we have done here in the past, I would like again to congratulate the following referee who has recently been upgraded to Grade 6 (State Referee 2nd Class).

Congratulations!

Jose Mendes

Upgrade Kudos

As we have done here in the past, I would like again to congratulate the following referees who have recently been upgraded to Grade 7 (Referee 1st Class).

Congratulation to you all.

Wyckoff Nissenbaum
Nicholas Grimard

Alex Wallach-Hanson

Upgrade Kudos!

As we have done here in the past, I would like again to congratulate the following referees who have recently been upgraded to Grade 7 (Referee 1st Class).

Congratulation to you all.

Kristen Sundberg
Genci Kutrolli
Zachary Levin
Jo-Ellen Rowley

Upgrade Kudos - With a Twist

Many folks do not recognize the complexity of the "machine" behind the modern game. While I will not opine about the complex inner workings of the player side of FIFA, its national associations (e.g. US Soccer), State and local associations, I want to shed some light on the refereeing side a bit.

Ubiquitous to our lexicon is the term "referee". We are very familiar with who they are and generally their role inside the soccer field. Beyond that, there are a host of other actors that include referee administrators, referee assessors, referee mentors, and yes, referee instructors. It is this last group I will expand briefly on here.

Similar to referees within US Soccer, instructors too carry a grade such as instructor, state instructor, and national instructor. There are more, but you take my point I'm sure. Also similar, are requirements for grade retention, and upgrade such as classes given, and training received.

Many of these folks are active, or inactive former referees and have experience, sometimes a tremendous amount, with the game. Even with that experience, there is a fairly ridged training regime that goes into being an instructor, even to do so at a local level, for new referees. To upgrade to a state instructor takes hours of practical, and course work to learn how to shape the minds of referees at higher and higher levels. This requires not only a thorough understanding of the game, but also empathy for the plight of such a referee, combined with a healthy does of detailing "Law 18".

Recently there are two individuals I would like to recognize for their dedicated service to the instructor core (also noting their involvement as referees, assessors, and mentors), and congratulate them on their recent accomplishments.

Please join me in congratulating Peter Johnson and Peter Robinson for their recent advance to State Instructor. I continue to look forward to their work in turning out the quality referees of the future, and working with each of them along the way.