LaxTV Forums | A Forum About The MCLA

Gentlemen-

Since your last season of college lacrosse is either over or will be shortly, I'd like to encourage you to think about the future.

For lacrosse to continue to grow and thrive, we need officials. It generally takes a long time to develop new officials with no lacrosse experience--three to five years is probably the average length of time to become competent--but former players develop much faster. Many of our best new officials are UMLL alums, but we need more.

If you're interested, PM me with your contact info (name, address, phone numbers, e-mail) and we'll put you on the list so we can contact you in the off-season before the training classes start.

Or, if you want to get started early, we have a Level 1 Training Class on May 17-18 in Eden Prairie. If there was enough interest, we could run a Level 2 class as well and have you work HS summer league games this summer to gain experience so you'd be all set to go next spring.

In any case, officiating is a great way to stay involved with the game, give back to the game, make some extra cash, and stay in shape!

I cannot echo Lax Ref's post enough.

Please strongly consider officiating as a way to support the growth of lacrosse in this area.

Rob

Rob Graff wrote:I cannot echo Lax Ref's post enough.

Please strongly consider officiating as a way to support the growth of lacrosse in this area.

Rob

is there a need for coaches in the area as well? or is officiating far and away the biggest need.

thank you cameron

I completely agree!!

Mr. Youngone-
Living in the problem isn't going to help anyone or anything. If anything, the fact that there weren't enough referee's to do the D1 tournament should motivate graduating seniors to become referee's and make sure that doesn't happen again. Now, that would be living in the solution.
Maybe this will shed some light on the issue for you and others....

http://www.collegelax.us/news/2008/05/0 ... at-werent/

I thought the purpose of reffing games was so that you could get those really cool tan lines.

I completely agree with laxRef as well. Here in Wisconsin we ABSOLUTELY could use some more officials, ESPECIALLY those with playing experience.

If you are interested in becoming a ref in the Wisconsin, I will be happy to help get you pointed in the right direction but would have to look that up right now.

got it. deleted the post. Where can I get some black orthapedic shoes so I can ref next season?

YoungOne wrote:got it. deleted the post. Where can I get some black orthapedic shoes so I can ref next season?

I don't know about orthopedic shoes, but the right shoes are important. Asics makes some black running shoes that work well for me.

Ive even considering getting qualified so I can do summer leagues and youth leagues. The money is great, the weather is great, and the officials are a great group of guys to talk with. If only Mr. Dempsey would show me the secret handshake.....

wheelz33 wrote:
is there a need for coaches in the area as well? or is officiating far and away the biggest need.

Coaches have improved in great strides since "my day" in high school but I would still say there is a strong need for good coaches at the high school and college level. Lots of newer coaches trying to figure everything out.

horn17 wrote:Ive even considering getting qualified so I can do summer leagues and youth leagues. The money is great, the weather is great, and the officials are a great group of guys to talk with. If only Mr. Dempsey would show me the secret handshake.....

I will if you will

After your collegiate playing days are finished... giving back to the game as either a coach or an official is very much appreciated... BUT, after officiating for almost 15 years now, please allow me the soapbox here for a few points on why I would pick the zebra stripes over coaching:

1. The overall time commitment for officiating is less then coaching. After your training sessions are completed, we normally only show up on game day. Coaches show up for every single practice and every single game.

When you are new to the real life 9 to 5 work force, leaving the office early and/or negotiating time off from work is problematic more often then not. Unless you have a great employer/boss, leaving the office every day at 3:30pm for practice ain't going to happen very easily. Negotiating with your boss to leave once or twice a week to officiate 1-2 games per week is much more palatable.

2. We get a pay check. Unlike most coaching positions that are volunteer jobs, officials get paid. $$$ talks. You won't get rich officiating, but you do make some decent extra income. Some guys who do a lot of games make several thousands of dollars.

3. Time commitments vary based on your personal schedule. Do you know what your personal/work schedule is going to be like in 3 months? Good, neither do I. With officiating, you can normally work as little or as much as you want.

Only want to work one game per month or 5 game per week. Or some point in between. Only weekend games? Only weekday games at 7pm? Only middle school games? Only games on Sunday afternoons after the temps rise above 60 degrees? You control your availability and decide.

I'm sure any assignor in this country would take you on as an official, even if you had very limited availability. They will find you a time and place on the field. We have guys in our association that can only work Sunday games.

4. Promotions are typically pretty fast. If you reside in most MCLA territories, promotions to the High School Varsity level come pretty quick. After a few season of h.s. ball, you can apply to do college (MCLA) games. Depending on where you live, NCAA varsity or club games games could possibly be in your future.

Remember those Zebra guys you made fun of on the field a few years ago on the field? Remember those guys that always thought you could do a better job then as a referee?

Now is your chance.....

Are you in sales???