Ericblair

Blaze I agree with your comments...my observation was that it just seemed odd that in a season ending game for one team, career ending game for most on that team that one team had six technical fouls called by the same official....uniquely... one for delay of game, one for out of coaches box, one on a special needs student, and three after the game was over and only one of which involved a direct comment to the official. Heck, I haven't seen that type of justice served since Barney Fife locked up half of Mayberry when Andy had to go to Mt Pilot. I've coached for years and never had a technical foul....and respect the heck out of what officials do...but it seems here that some of the players aren't the only ones that lost their cool. Have a good day and I appreciate the discussion.

Don't recall mentioning capri suns or cookies and I never mentioned refs being crooked as I don't believe they are. They have tough jobs and I would not want it. And as an educator, I 100% agree that respect is paramount. Based on the account above, all but one the technicals was assessed by the same ref. 4 of which occurred after the game was over and one on a special needs student, which just seems odd. And while we are offering observations about programs and player behavior, coaching priorities, and whatever, its worth noting that on Cleveland's bench WAS as special needs student....(anyone ever seen Radio) that was t-ed up. Stopping to hand out technicals after a game is over only has the potential to inflame an already bad situation as what happened here. It is not time for a teaching moment. Which is why you will see in close games (college, pros, high school) the refs run off the floor so as not to either hear (or ignore) or give chance for uncharacter like emotions to take over. That did not seem to happen here and only served to make a bad situation worse.

Didn't see the game and have no horse in the race but an official that calls six technical fouls in a substate game, three after the horn blows is officiating for the wrong reasons. Horn blows you sprint off the court...emotions are raw...not condoning bad player behavior but at game's end, what are your really accomplishing other than drawing attention to yourself... and thanks for the parenting and program management advice Blaze.

Lot of good comments here and I do agree that officials have a hard job. Part of the issue here is that pay has basically been flat for 10+ years or so. The TSSAA says schools can't pay anymore and yet its Executives continue to get healthy raises. I believe all Executives now gross over $100,000 with Childress at $186,000 or a 5% increase over last year. I don't now why its more important to increase executive pay but not officials...money is coming out of the same bucket. The better officials go to college level while the weaker ones stay at high school. TSSAA has basically farmed this out to associations that have little if any control/review processes in place...they just need bodies. The bottom line is that the TSSAA doesn't really make this a priority or you would see this process under their jurisdiction and pay would be more equitable.

This is what happens in a pissing contest when the TSSAA gets involved. How about next time the coaches or administrators work out what are fairly benign misunderstandings in the rules application. This is really senseless as both schools and coaches and certainly students are really better than all this. And the TSSAA handing out justice is about as appropriate having a house mother judge character in a brothel or having to pay for another Maywhether/Paquio fight. Until these clowns give back some of the $3MM they are sitting on and have stolen from member schools, TSSAA I don't give a da*n what you think.

February 27, 2014, Emerald City, TN (AP Wizard of Oz Newswire) Commenting on the controversial call that cost the Cleveland Basketball Raiders its season, the Association responded, “How many times do we have to go over this…we really don’t care about that stuff. Remember last year’s blown call that ended McMinn Central girl’s season, we didn’t care about that either. Remember when we said Cleveland’s football team was in the playoffs last year but really wasn’t, we didn’t care about that either. Or when we said Hall of Fame receipts where to build a building but that we kept instead…getting the picture here. We are in this for the money and that’s why we take (opps..we mean make) and keep lots of it. How many times do we have to go over this"? When asked why they did care about and reverse the ejection of Ensworth’s Ricky Bowers this past year, the Association responded, “Ensworth is not a title one school and has money, and lots of it and we like money. That’s why we have about $3MM of the stuff and don’t even thinking of asking for some of it back. Keep working on those car washes and golf tournaments to meet your budget. Plus Ensworth can afford attorneys and we really don’t respond well when challenged like that. We much prefer the collegial environment of the Kindergarten Control Boardâ€. When asked what advice they could give to the damaged players and coaches the Association offered, “it’s just a game, get over it, but be sure to send in your game receipts and support your local teamsâ€.

I think the TSSAA needs to get more involved. This business of sub contracting out control of games to those that have no accountability and in some cases (not all) lesser brains is not just wrong, its dangerous to the student athletes. But I got $100 that says this would have never been overturned had it been a Memphis Melrose, Whites Creek, or Knox West.

There is something uniquely special about high school football. Young men and coaches that have practiced countless hours and that have committed themselves to the pursuit of excellence and to each other is just endearing, regardless of the team or a final score. There are winners, losers, heroes, and goats and the hats change week to week and the emotional ride and reconciliation compels great learning. For all but the state winners, this ride ends with a loss and the painful last after game huddle and emotions of a season and perhaps career’s end. Coaches put the best spin on the season not just for the players but for themselves because the game too is their passion. Of all the words that may be spoken, none better defines the boys of Fall than courage. Courage to compete, to fight, to risk, to preserve, to succeed, to improve, to win and lastly to loose and all for the public eye to see. Take a bow men and boys of Fall…you’ve earned it. The boys of Fall stand in stark contrast to the men of Hermitage who ironically govern their efforts. On the field of play, responsibility is taken. In offices and meetings, responsibility is deferred. On the field of play, improvement is a goal. In offices and meetings, improvement is not deemed necessary. On the field of play, rules are enforced. In offices and meetings, rules are made up. On the field of play injustice is fought through. In offices and meetings injustice is an abstract. On the field of play, reward is earned. In offices and meetings, reward is taken. On the field of play, risk and injury is assumed. In offices and meetings, responsibility is narrowed. On the field of play, pain is played through. In offices and meeting, comfort is king. On the field of play, young men and coaches care. In offices and meetings, old men don’t. This weekend six teams will be named state champions. But the boys of fall are all champions of the great virtue of courage and their payment is honor for just having been in the game. And if history is any judge, boos will ring out to the TSSAA presenters of the state trophies as an appropriate reminder of how little they know and care to know of the character of the boys of Fall.

Never understood the phase "Is what it is" for it seems self-evident. But what is not self evident is that something is right just because an authority says so. I agree with the 100% and 0% stuff but no way its right that on the one hand a ref sits out a game he could care a less about versus a coach missing out on participating in perhaps a state championship that he or she has prepared for for 8 months. And that all that is OK because of some cooked up policy designed to protect the Association.

And in Knoxville it is the law that you must have a hitching post in front of your building...so much for the wisdom of always following the law or policy. Whose Kharma?

Wow what a mess. I could care a less about BA, Ensworth or Ricky Bowers but how on earth could you conclude that the official wasn't the one instigating things here. Sure looks like Bowers was trying to leave...I thought refs were supposed leave the field or the court as soon as a game was over...sure looks like this ref had an idea of a new sheriff in town. By the way...I generally believe that football is well officiated....basketball another matter altogether. The real problem here is: 1) lack of oversight or control over officials (TSSAA has subbed that out to independent contractors that basically have no control), and 2) the TSSAA desire to protect itself even if its member schools or players safety are compromised. What sort of nonsense yields support of an official that it just suspended because its bylaws...blah blah blah?

This is a late post but: 1) Was surprised Rhea dropped eight even in the second half, 2) Monroe is a great coach but I doubt Crawford really needs his help, 3) Rhea's field is awesome, 4) Rhea's fans and administrators were kind and polite, 5) 5AAA is clearly stronger than 6AAA. 6) Local police should have spend more time helping people get in and out of the game instead of setting speed traps for departing fans.

Oh I suspect that as in the past, both Bradley and Riverdale will play in several mercy rule contests. Riverdale is as good as expected...Bradley is just a good team and program....having won three region titles in as many years. In the past two years, they played sub state and state games without their best or one of their best players. Otherwise, these teams might have played in the past.

Associations that represent other programs (as in Athletic Programs) that scrape by should also scrape by. This business of living like kings while subjects battle for crumbs is Dark Ages type stuff.

Would be funny if it weren't true.

As in "the great and powerful"?

That's too bad

TSSAA March Board of Control Minutes.... 6. Voted to allow schools to play Hall of Champions games Monday through Saturday during the week which they are permitted on the calendar. Proceeds will be split 50/50 between the host school and TSSAA after expenses are paid. Currently, theTSSAA receives 75% of proceeds after expense. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/nov/13/hall-of-fame-games-count-big-for-tssaa/

I think the point here is that why are resources made available on issues like open laws that clearly are inconveniences for the TSSAA staff but when it comes to processes or resources to improve the quality of control over games that affect players, coaches, fans, parents etc. the position is taken that bylaws don't allow as if there needs to be explicit consent for such. I'm not in favor of instant replay or in any case overturning calls. But I am in favor of establishiping processes whereby mistakes or bad "judgement calls" can be reviewed for improvement sake. I just don't accept this business of officiating judgement already being everything it ought to be and I suspect that if the leadership of the TSSAA was affected like those affected by bad call things would change...like trying to overturn a Chancellor's ruling. Thanks for your comments.

It’s that time of year again, the time of year when basketball seasons and careers end or extend. Perhaps it’s wrong, but with so much time, energy and passion by players, coaches, and parents put into high school sports, when it’s all over it almost always hurts…always. All you can really hope for is that when you get beat, it’s on the court…fair and square. That’s all…plain simple fairness…you know childhood sandbox type stuff. So when circumstances like what happened to McMinn Central’s girls in their sub state game or that when a player gets not one but two questionable technicals from the same ref in the same quarter, her first two ever as in the case of Bradley Central you might need a little therapy. So thanks Coach T for your forum because you certainly won’t get it from the TSSAA. Nope, folks there are practicing the age old time honored chorus: “that’s a judgment call and our bylaws do not permit…blah blah blah blah†(You know like that old Peanuts teacher in Charlie Brown and makes about as much sense here too). Interestingly enough is that Section 5 (a) of its Bylaws state that the Association shall have “general control over all athletic contests†and 5 (e) states that the Association is charged with determining the “qualifications…for officialsâ€. Seems like responsibility AND judgment going on there but higher math was always a problem. Maybe the Association has Bill Clinton as an advisor and still trying to figure out what “is†means. The problem here is not that officials make mistakes. They are human and have dang tough jobs. The problem here is that nobody really gives a hoot when things go wrong or cares to consider ways to improve any of this…nobody…ever….anywhere…dang that lost shaker of salt!! At about 8:55 in Inglewood TN on Saturday night, Chargerette head coach Morgan is about to enter his team’s locker room for the last time when he receives a copy of the game film clearly showing the game to be over with his team ahead by 2. He thinks….maybe…just maybe someone will listen…someone will care…things will be righted…justice shall prevail….then upon returning from Oz and reality setting in he’ll know he has an unfairly broken team to address followed by several sleepless nights. Coaching anyone? At about the same time with cognac being served, dinner is winding down in Nashville between the “Judgement R Us†law firm and the TSSAA to discuss strategies to overturn a Chancellor’s open record ruling. You see the judgment of a Chancellor with diplomas out the ying yang can be questioned (I’m still looking for where the Bylaws allow for that) but not that of a part time official because the former is all about “protecting kids†unlike the actual control or playing of sports and what all the other coaches and ADs do across the State. The Chancellor thing is a big deal…games, tournaments, careers…there’s always next year… for the Association anyway….you’ll get over it. Coach Morgan along with the rest of us just needs another cup of cool aid…and not a wink of sleep will ever be lost.

As I pulled into last night’s packed house district tournament, my ole buddy Bob was collecting money for parking…â€$1 pleaseâ€. “Bob, how’d you get stuck doing thisâ€, to which he responded, “we (athletics) need the moneyâ€. It sure seemed odd and out of place that with a packed house of paying customers inside that a parent is outside in subzero temperature raising funds for athletics. But so the story goes for most if not all athletic programs across the state. Parking fees, discount cards, car washes, bubble head dolls etc. are well known to most parents, coaches and ADs across the state as they beg/plead and do pretty much just about anything to provide for those less fortunate and to make ends meet. No so however with the Association that governs and takes money from athletics in TN. Their financial condition would be the envy of anyone other than perhaps Warren Buffet or Bill Gates. From their percentage on gates and fobbed off stuff like Hall of Fame games, in the last three years the TSSAA has profited over $1.6 million and currently sits on over $2.25 million in cash. And all this despite dramatic increases in executive pay and expenses for such nonsense as $39,000 for “profession fees to monitor legislative activities†not to mention $2.5 million spent to sue Brentwood Academy. And now with an exercise on credulity that excels their best, the Association is going to appeal (in order to “protect kidsâ€â€¦please), a chancellors open records ruling and I just wonder how much all that is going to cost. Just what on earth does a secondary athletic association need to keep secret? Does it know how many licks it takes to get to the center of a tootsie pop or the whereabouts of the Lindberg baby or the Holy Grail? Back at his office, Bob makes a final count of his efforts on the evening…a sore throat, four complaints about having to pay to park and $256 or just about what the Association will pay for one of the hundreds if not thousands of hours’ worth of legal fees to fight a chancellor’s ruling. Ignorance is often bliss but in circumstances such as these, one is left wondering, 1) why is the Association doing so well when everyone else is doing so bad and 2) when will enough coaches, ADs, and parents become informed enough on these issues in order to regain the financial benefits that are rightfully theirs to begin with?

I think that it is a fair statement that there are far more bad/ignorate to the rule fans than there are bad refs. Everyone makes mistakes and officials should never be abused for making them, real or otherwise. I think the main sore spot for most people is that there are no checks and balances (accountability...if only to learn) for those instances that clear errors where made (especially those resulting in injury) and it just appears that no one really cares. If our Association can spend $2MM on issues like recruiting violations and fighting open file rulings, it sure should take an interest in control of games that its bylaws expressly requires.

Interesting still is that only one player's stats are being reported....I guess there are no other players on the team worth keeping track of. That's kinda odd.

Good post crazyness and I agree that its the 20-25% out there that often cause the most problems. Coaches, players, parents and officials make mistakes and I think folks understand that. But I think the aspect in all this that creates the most heartburn for coaches, players, fans, and parents is the lack of some system of oversight or accountbility for those cases where calls where indeed missed or control lost, especially if player injuries resulted. Ultimately this system design should be the TSSAA responsibility which if it can spend $2.5MM on a lawsuit with Brentwood Acadamy or now commit untold resouces to overturn an open file ruling under the rue of pretecting kids, should it not also take an interest in this?

No you are right in that it is no one’s responsibility to keep things even on the scoreboard. But it is most certainly the responsibility of the crew at all times regardless of score to enforce those rules designed to protect players…period. It is this piece that is the most disturbing lapse of priority that nowhere is checked…not at the local officials association and certainly not at the TSSAA, that seems more interested in fighting the chancellor’s open records decisions under the fob off of “We feel like it’s not in the interest of the kids that we are trying to help to have this ruling there,†he said. Perhaps if these guys where so concerned about “the interest of kids†they might lift a finger to see what just happens on any given Tuesday or Friday night.