Tom Naeger
"Happy Talk" Ends Here...
Re: >>> RIT Tigers 2018/2019 - Time For The Tigers to Roar <<<
Exactly, and hence my frustration with the administration. Yes they cheer and celebrate the programs accomplishments, but the path you just describe seems impossible and that is the path they are on. The only way I can see that working is if you have a hell of a smooth and smart negotiator which if RIT has one I have not meet him. You'll have to find a way to provide that incentive otherwise this business is just academic (no pun intended). They do seem to get tunnel vision on routes that are next to impossible...
The one thing I never get as an alumni who has basically lived in Buffalo since 1988. Rochester seems ripe for a D-I Sports school. No professional teams in a city of 200,000. You looking at 50,000 more than Syracuse and about 50,000 less than Buffalo. I've never been under the illusion that it would be easy, but it's do able. Should have had my old debate buddy from the book of face take a shot at it instead of being a town supervisor. He annoying enough to get it down
All I will offer is looking at the box, there is a name I am not surprise to see. Part of the problem is that either an AHA official will go to the ECAC or they just end up getting let go. Only really one or two exceptions I can think of off the top of my head. Also from what I would call a very "creditable" source with direct knowledge is that the AHA doesn't want to deal with officials who want to work other leagues as well. This is a real problem that affects the talent pool of officials and they don't have the best reputation to begin with.
This is also just a problem across all NCAA sports. As some of you know I was and just recently again became an umpire of high school and amateur baseball in Western New York. While I do not have time in my life for college level ball, I do work with guys who do that level and have other friends who work DI Baseball and Softball. The requirements to get into this kind of ball is beyond ridiculous. You have to attend clinics that you have to pay for and btw, that doesn't include getting on a plane and a hotel. Even after you go to these clinics, you then have to go to "try-outs" for each group (some leagues have multiple groups who assign games) and pay another $300-$400 just to try out, and of course you don't get the money back if you do not make it. Anyone here want to interview and pay $300 for their job? Then even if you make it... This past season I had a Varsity Class AA game with a partner who was also a College Softball Umpire. This was a Friday 4pm game, as soon as it was over he throw his gear back in the car and drove from Buffalo NY to Rhode Island. Where he was staying over the next two nights with his crew (3 umpires total) in a cheap two bedroom hotel room to work two double headers on Saturday & Sunday. Millage and lodging was not paid, all though in theory it is "built" into the game fee.
My point in all this is, besides having to be a good official who knows the rules and works his/her tail off, you have to put up with all this. Any reasonable mind would conclude that this is going to have a negative effect on your talent pool. You want to make money doing officiating, you need to make it in the professional ranks. And that takes even more talent, hard work, and putting up with more BS than I just outlined. It also involves a lot of luck. At least you get a six figure paycheck, where in reality if you get into the top DI for a sport, you might make an extra $5K-$10K a year...
Exactly, and hence my frustration with the administration. Yes they cheer and celebrate the programs accomplishments, but the path you just describe seems impossible and that is the path they are on. The only way I can see that working is if you have a hell of a smooth and smart negotiator which if RIT has one I have not meet him. You'll have to find a way to provide that incentive otherwise this business is just academic (no pun intended). They do seem to get tunnel vision on routes that are next to impossible...
The one thing I never get as an alumni who has basically lived in Buffalo since 1988. Rochester seems ripe for a D-I Sports school. No professional teams in a city of 200,000. You looking at 50,000 more than Syracuse and about 50,000 less than Buffalo. I've never been under the illusion that it would be easy, but it's do able. Should have had my old debate buddy from the book of face take a shot at it instead of being a town supervisor. He annoying enough to get it down
All I will offer is looking at the box, there is a name I am not surprise to see. Part of the problem is that either an AHA official will go to the ECAC or they just end up getting let go. Only really one or two exceptions I can think of off the top of my head. Also from what I would call a very "creditable" source with direct knowledge is that the AHA doesn't want to deal with officials who want to work other leagues as well. This is a real problem that affects the talent pool of officials and they don't have the best reputation to begin with.
This is also just a problem across all NCAA sports. As some of you know I was and just recently again became an umpire of high school and amateur baseball in Western New York. While I do not have time in my life for college level ball, I do work with guys who do that level and have other friends who work DI Baseball and Softball. The requirements to get into this kind of ball is beyond ridiculous. You have to attend clinics that you have to pay for and btw, that doesn't include getting on a plane and a hotel. Even after you go to these clinics, you then have to go to "try-outs" for each group (some leagues have multiple groups who assign games) and pay another $300-$400 just to try out, and of course you don't get the money back if you do not make it. Anyone here want to interview and pay $300 for their job? Then even if you make it... This past season I had a Varsity Class AA game with a partner who was also a College Softball Umpire. This was a Friday 4pm game, as soon as it was over he throw his gear back in the car and drove from Buffalo NY to Rhode Island. Where he was staying over the next two nights with his crew (3 umpires total) in a cheap two bedroom hotel room to work two double headers on Saturday & Sunday. Millage and lodging was not paid, all though in theory it is "built" into the game fee.
My point in all this is, besides having to be a good official who knows the rules and works his/her tail off, you have to put up with all this. Any reasonable mind would conclude that this is going to have a negative effect on your talent pool. You want to make money doing officiating, you need to make it in the professional ranks. And that takes even more talent, hard work, and putting up with more BS than I just outlined. It also involves a lot of luck. At least you get a six figure paycheck, where in reality if you get into the top DI for a sport, you might make an extra $5K-$10K a year...
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