[Shady Grady]

Everybody thinks officials are in it for the money. Let's look at teachers. They make a lot more money than officials. Do we have some that just show up and collect a pay check? Of course we do. There ought to be more focus on that than officials. Most regions are lacking in officials, that is why you see what you think is subpar officials on the floor. It is state mandated that every varsity game now be done by a 3 man crew. That takes a lot of officials, plus the JV games. Now a typical day in the life of an official consists of going to work, leaving the house by 4:30-5:00, usually without eating supper. They then travel an hour to hour and a half, get yelled at, cussed at and talked to like a second rate citizen. After the game, travel back home, arriving at 10:00-10:30. All this for $55.00. Add to that the cost of gasoline plus having to stop and get a burger or something to eat. The average cost of gas per game is about $12.00. The cheapest thing to get to eat is at McDonalds for $5.00. That makes the whole evening, consisting of five and a half to six hours for a net of around $38.00. Add to that the 1099 they get at the end of the year. And you want to complain about your $5.00? Granted, there are some officials better than others. That is why all the good ones in the stands need to join up.