Seven courts. Two teams on each court. Nearly two hundred players, along with coaches, family members, tournament staff, and several dozen basketball officials. Whistles echoed every few seconds. Coaches instructed players. Parents cheered from the sidelines. Shoes squeaked across the hardwood. Missed shots clanged off the rim. This was my fourth summer working a girls' basketball team camp as a referee. As an official, you know people are watching. Coaches question your call

Basketball season is winding down for me as an official , and one of my recent games happened to coincide with a school's senior night. Before the game, there was the usual ceremony recognizing the athletes and celebrating their high school careers. I couldn't help but notice, when they got to the two basketball players, that one of their teammates was visibly emotional, with tears in her eyes. What struck me most was how one of the girls being recognized seemed genuinely s

Recently, I was officiating a high school basketball game that wasn't very competitive, but on the final play of the first half, a player for the home team drove hard to the basket and went up for a shot. With only a few seconds left on the clock, my partners and I were watching closely to ensure the shot got off before the buzzer and to confirm whether it went in. The shot was clearly released before the buzzer, and we were ready to count the basket. But just before the bal

Ejecting a Spectator: When heckling crosses the line ( Doug Benc/Getty Images ) The recent snowfall here in Central Virginia threw the basketball schedule into chaos. Several high school games had to be rescheduled, creating a busy week of officiating for me. While plenty of officials work more games than I do, I ended up officiating six games this week. And there was one thing they all had in common: whining . Players. Coaches. Fans. Now, before you think I’m jaded or obli

Have you ever found yourself in an unexpected moment where two worlds collided, leaving you with a story you couldn't wait to share? Recently, I was scheduled to officiate a basketball doubleheader. What I did not know was that the visiting opponent was not just another boarding school. The opponent was from Australia. Every year, this school comes to the United States and plays schools up and down the East Coast. Now I can say I have officiated an international basketball

To say this is a busy time in my life right now is an understatement. Having just returned from one international mission trip and preparing for another next month , launching our Upward Flag Football & Cheer ministry at church, arranging multiple pick-up requests for donations at RuraLove, and school starting soon - which brings football season! I recently found out that I was assigned to a specific referee crew this season. Last year, I was a floater. I worked with sever

Earlier this week, I attended a basketball game of a girl from our youth ministry who is playing for a local Christian school. It's...

Have you ever felt rushed? You know, those moments when you believe you're right on schedule , everything is falling into place as...

This past Saturday, my wife and I attended the Piedmont Valley Football Officials Association End-of-Year Banquet and Meeting at...

I have a great team to work with in Youth Ministry right now. We have been together for a couple of years, and they are tremendous...

This past weekend, I was listening to the AFC Championship football game on the radio between the New England Patriots and the Kansas...