Weekly News & Tid Bits

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We will update this WEB page weekly on the weekends with the latest News and Tid Bits  from the Booking Office and the Association.

 

Sunday,  June 28 – Saturday, July 4, 2009

 

 

* * * Note:  The Web Page Will Not Change Until Monday, July 6 * * *

 

What a Camp;

Extremely Tough But Successful Camp;

Feedback From Camper;

The Jacksonville Blast;

Opinion Poll Results;

 

 

 

What A Camp – We had 21 campers to work as hard as any I have seen.  It was a good group who listened and then went out there on the floor and tried what the counselors told them.  They arrived ready to work, but first had to listen to all that orientation talk we always do on Sunday morning.  But this group wanted to get to the games.  As soon as the talk was over, the games began at 1:50pm on Sunday and never let up. This group bonded and learned each others names.

 

Did I Mention They Learned Names – In a surprise as well as never before move on Tuesday night,  I asked if any camper in the room could name all the campers. Two raised their hand so the contest was on.  I said I would give a Camp Tote Bag to the one who could name them all the fastest.  Mike Gerics stood up and named every fellow camper, all eight counselors, and both Sandy and Faye in 57 seconds.  He could have done it even faster if he had left the comments out about each one.  That was amazing since he had just met most of these men and women for the first time on Sunday. Wow,  Congratulations Mike,  you did make some new friends.  

 

Extremely Tough Camp – You have to know that all Referee Camps can be tough, but this one was especially tough. We covered three courts with 21 campers and there was no shortage of games.  Each camper worked five games on Sunday, six games on Monday, Six Games on Tuesday and many worked six games on Wednesday.  They were tired but as nice a group as we have had considering this could have been the toughest camp physically that we have had. The campers were relentless in their effort to improve and IMPROVE they did.  You simply have no choice but to improve working that many games with two and three counselors in your face if you make a mistake, are in the wrong position or miss a rotation.  You soon get it right if for no other reason than to get the counselors off your back.  But hey, that is what they came to camp for.  We told them,  You do not improve if we tell you how good you are, you improve when we point out your mistakes.”  So the campers have to be thick skin and they can’t take the comments personally.  All, I said all, the campers responded in a professional way and the results became apparent to both the campers and the counselors.  They were fantastic to work with and all are eager to apply what they learned next season. 

 

Very Tight Competition – Each year, the counselors have to go to my room on Tuesday night and rank the campers by putting them in order from 21 all the way up to # 1.  This ranking is only good for my benefit and the order in which the camper actually finishes is not important.  The fact they improved is important for making the Association better next season.  We do however give a plaque to the top three.  Let me be perfectly clear about this next statement.  Being ranked Number One at camp does not necessarily mean he is the best official.  It only means he was voted the best for this camp on this four day period. Another official could have had a bad game that knocked him down three or four slots and could very well be better.  But for this camp, we picked a top three for this week.

 

Plaques:

Outstanding Camper (# 1)– Gene Saunders from Fayetteville walked away with the Best Camper for the week.  He was simply outstanding from start to finish.  He was consistent, he listened to the counselors and he went to work. He was almost unanimous with the nine voters.  

 

Championship Crew ( # 2) – Charley Johns from Jacksonville was a very close second capturing nearly every second place vote from the counselors.  This tall man could referee and run with the best of them.  He had a great camp and pushed Saunders for the top spot.

 

Championship Crew ( # 3) – Claiming the third slot with solid performances throughout the camp was Frank Brill, also from Jacksonville.

 

Names on Camp Page – The names of Gene Saunders, Charley Johns and Frank Brill will appear on the Referee Camp link under the 2009 camp forever and ever or until my web page goes off line.  Check it out, click on the CAMP Link above.

 

Most Improved – Brad Anderson had never stepped on a Basketball court in his life with a referee shirt on.  In fact, he did not even own one.  We had to literally take him to his positions in the first game, but he listened and he worked hard.  By day four, he was a confident Official looking and going where he was suppose to be and without help. He was the unanimous pick receiving all nine votes as the one camper that improved the most.  Wow, he will be a solid JV official when he takes the floor next  November and we welcome him into our association.

 

Best Attitude – Smiling Anthony McGleen won the Best Attitude award.  He was simply glad to be there and it showed. He smiled when he was tired, he smiled when the counselors got on him and he smiled walking down the halls.  You just can not take that smile out of his heart.  He is that kind of man and I am proud to call him a friend.

 

Comment About Camp From Two of the Campers – On Tuesday night, we had a meeting in which each camper stood up and said his final thoughts to his fellow campers and to the counselors.  Even after that emotional meeting,  one of our campers, Brad Shrader felt moved enough to send me an email expanding on his feelings.  After receiving this email,  I wrote back and asked if I could publish his testimonial and he gave his permission to both publish and use his name. Read below what one camper felt about his time at camp:

 

Brad Shrader :

Well camp 2009 has come and gone quicker than I ever imagined it would. Months of preparation through emails and reading and casebooks etc....and almost in the blink of an eye it's gone. My brain still feels as if it's on an overload and I need a memory upgrade to have the capacity to hold all the information I was given.
For me, this camp was invaluable. Having only officiated basketball for 2 seasons, I feel as if it added at least another year of experience to my resume. I got to not only observe myself on film, but to observe other officials firsthand, particularly the championship crew, and try to mimic some of their style and demeanor.
Each one of you counselors takes an incredible amount of pride in your knowledge of the game, as you should.  As Mr. Mattocks said, each of you has worked at least one state championship game, the highest level for a high school official. And it’s apparent how generous you are to share that knowledge with us, the next generation of officials, to ensure that the next generation is as prepared as you can possibly make us.
And while we worked the games ourselves, endured the sore legs, bad knees and physical anguish....it is you that made the biggest sacrifice, believe it or not. We agreed to the camp ourselves to the betterment of our officiating ability; you counselors agreed to instruct us at no personal gain, but agreed to teach simply on the premise that you would be improving and preparing the next generation. And that is the greatest example of pride I can think of.
If and when I receive my first varsity game, I only hope that it is with one of you. For the pride that I will feel to exhibit the knowledge and tactics you taught me...and for the pride you will feel to see them put into practice.
I asked a counselor at the cafeteria on Wednesday morning just how late you guys were up discussing the rankings of the officials and he responded "2:30". The only thing I could think of was how much pride that exhibited in itself.
As I said in my closing remarks at our meeting Tuesday night, each one of us campers idolize you because we want to someday be where you are, or at least I know I do. And it isn’t ego-related....it’s simply....pride.
Thank you so much for everything this week and look forward to seeing you at the meeting!
 
Sincerely,
Brad Shrader
Youngest Official Camp 2009 :)

 

Editor’s Note:  Personally,  I sincerely feel, from the amount of improvement that takes place, camp adds three years experience to an official’ resume.  The mere fact the counselors correct mistakes right on the spot far outweighs an official just calling games for a year.  If no one tells you what you are doing wrong, you just may be the same official at the end of the year you were when you started the year.  That definitely does not happen at camp.  You are pushed forward in time to what I think it would take at least three years on your own.

 

Duke Wallin:

Tommy and Faye,
  Thanks again for a great camp!  Mark always says "move to
improve"...and I took that phrase and ran with it two ways.
One...actually moving and closing in or down on my lead, trail and slot
positions and also picking up at least one or two things from EVERY ONE
of the counselors that I could do to improve my "image" on the court.  I
look forward to practicing in front of the mirror (my mechanics), yes
some people still do that... and the first scrimmages come
October/November.  Thanks for letting me be a part of another successful
Tommy Mattocks Referee Camp.    -Duke

 

Editor’s Note: Camp is extremely hard work and one of the toughest weeks of the year for me personally.  With remarks and comments like these two,  I just good paid. It is worth every second.

 

 

Here is a Comment from One of the Counselors:

 

Ron Fly:

What a great experience for me.  Being a counselor and working with all the campers seeing the progress each of them made each day makes it worth while.  Giving backs is a great feeling, as I tell so many people some one helped me along the way, You never get to old to learn, I learned  things from the other counselors last week, I wished every young official would try and come to a camp, he or she would
be surprised how much they could enhance there  skills.

 

I am Leaving a Couple Items on From Last Week So the Campers Can Remember How Tough This Past Week Was:   Please indulge the campers this repeat of a coup[le of previous items.  They worked hard and I suspect they will smile as they read what they accomplished.

 

(Reprint) What the Game Schedule Looks Like:

Sunday – Start at 1:50pm; Last game starts at 10:10pm

Monday – Start at 8:00am; Last game starts at 9:20pm

Tuesday – Start at 8:00am; Last Game starts at 9:20pm

Wednesday – Start at 8:00am; Last game starts at 4:45pm

 

(Reprint) What Our First Day Looks Like:

8:30am to 9:30am – Check in;  If you check in early, you have time to go to room

9:35am – Orientation Meeting: Introductions, what to expect (Mattocks, Campers)

10:30am – Opening statements (Counselors)

12:00Noon -  First Class: Positions, Floor Coverage, Rotations (Mattocks)

12:45pm – Break for Lunch

1:30pm – Meet on Steps of Trask Coliseum in Referee Uniform for Camp Picture

1:50pm – First games begin

2:40, 3:30, 4:20, 7:40, 8:30pm – Games to be filmed and reviewed w/ Counselor

6:50, 7:40pm – Classroom session:  Dead Ball Efficiency (Cave)

11:00pm – Last Game over,  Counselors Meet in Mattocks Room for Discussion

 

(Reprint) Monday and Tuesday Schedule – The games start at 8:00am.  We film several games in the morning, the afternoon and the evening.  We also have classroom sessions in the morning afternoon and evening.  It is an extremely busy day.  There is very little free time to just do as you wish.  Campers are either on the floor working a game, in a film review room breaking down film or in a classroom session listening to either the Camp Director or a Counselor teach on a topic of interest.

 

(Reprint) Wednesday Schedule – On Wednesday, the team camp conducts a single elimination tournament and the referee camp calls those games.  The top three campers, as decided by the counselor vote, referee the championship game.

 

(Reprint) Counselors This Camp – We have some of the best basketball minds in the association teaching these campers this summer.  We are delighted to have working this camp:

 

Wesley Carter

Earnest Cave

Harry Edwards

Robert Farley

Ron Fly

Mike Fredette

Gerald Marks

Shawn Williams

 

Here are a Few Quotes from the Camper Comments about the Counselors:

 . is always very honest and seemingly caring.

 . explains the rules in a clear and concise manner

 . wonderful advocate for officiating basketball

 . love his enthusiasm for the game

 . has always been very encouraging

 . clas on Communication was very good

 . has shown me that he has confidence that I can achieve

 . not sure he liked me until I got the “wink”

 . play situations and real game talkwas very helpful

 . always willing to answer questions and help your growth

 . brutal honesty but always leave you with you dignity

 . smooth operator, keeps it real

 . practices what he preaches

 . down to earth, a great enjoyment to be around

 . father figure

 . awesome powerful person, you are real, honest and a gentleman

 . I will never forget you

 . You know he cares, he is like your big brother

 . I just hate to disappoint him

 . really smoothed out my rough edges

 . really put me at ease for concentrated learning

 . enormous amount of experience to draw from

 . given me loads of pointers to use to improve my game

 . always challenged me to make me think about plays

 . Does not mind being hands-on

 . straight forward style that I enjoy

 . very articulate

 . fluid personality who showed it is possible to always improve

 . calm inviting demeanor

 . film session was a high point of my camp

 . encouraged me to persevere

 . a man who also cares deeply about our progress

 . pretty cool counselor, fun to listen to

 . there is not enough paper to say what I have to say about this guy

 . one of the best men I have ever met

 . I will take a part of this man with me on the court

 . I appreciate him because he got on me and I worked it out

 . good at getting his point across

 . will not let you down on the things you need to work on

 . a great mentor

 . a true professional

 . quiet, but when he talks, you need to listen

 . real simply to understand, makes it easy to comprehend

 . very knowledgeable and outstanding man, knows the book

 . one of a kind

 . one you can truly learn from

 . pulls the best out of you

 . teaches you how to stay focused

 

Editor’s Note :  These counselors are tried and proven leaders in our association who have successfully year after year molded the young officials in our association and made REFEREES out of them.  My name is on the camp, but it has always been their hard work and dedication that makes the camp the success it is. Tommy Mattocks   

 

 

(Reprint) Other Staff Members – We have an outstanding film crew:

 

Faye Mattocks

Sandy Edwards

 

Editor’s Note: At the camp meeting on Tuesday night with the campers, every single one acknowledged the efforts of these two ladies in making their camp experience what it was. These women do all the filming among other things and they are simply awesome. Camp would not be the same without them. Tommy Mattocks

 

On to Other News:

 

The Blast Returns Again to JacksonvilleJacksonville is hosting the Blast again this year.  You remember, Wells Gulledge invites all these high profile teams to Jacksonville over a weekend and they play basketball from Morning to Night.  Here is a great opportunity to practice and work on your game over the summer months. Shawn Williams and Robert Farley are the Go-To Men for this event, however Shawn is making out the schedule and needs you availability.  See his email next.

 

Shawn Williams Email on the Blast:

The Jacksonville Blast will take place July 9 - 12, 2009.  If you are interested in officiating any of the games please contact Shawn at shawnwil@coastalnet.com or 252 671 0472 by July 2, 2009.  There will be plenty of games and great basketball

 

I Have Been Extremely Pleased with the Opinion Polls – I am delighted at the participation again this week on the Opinion Poll.  I hope it catches on and we have double the responses next week.  

 

Last Week’s Opinion Poll Question # 1:   The Economy is in the Worst Shape in My Lifetime,  When Do You Think It will Turn Around or Get Better ?  Side Question:  Has It Hit Bottom ?

 

Earnest Cave:

Economy-  Too much Government intervention.  Economy will never be the
same.  You may see glimmers of hope in 2010, but until people get jobs there
won't be much confidence.  Then you have the gas/oil thing.  It sucks the life
out of the economy, especially when the Government is trying to borrow money
from the same people private industry is trying to borrow from.  Inflation is
coming.

Brian Ahmad:
I think we are pretty close to the bottom, but the future doesnt look to bright in my opinion. Not only have people been laid off from jobs, but IRA's, 401k's have taken a hit as well. I have worked with many people who have had to make adjustments in there lifestyle because of the big loss in investments this past year. Alot of pre retirees and retirees have chosen to put there money in guaranteed products. I think we can all agree that as a global economy we are unstable. I just hope we can move from this and be a stronger nation. My prediction is we will see volatility in the markets for years to come, so do what you can to protect what you have. Remember the important things in life, health, family, friends and religion. Not in any particular order.

 

 

 

Last Week’s Opinion Poll Question # 2:    If You Were a Sportswriter and Had a Vote for the Hall;  Would You Vote Any of the Forementioned Players into the Hall of Fame ? Feel free to expand or explain your Vote. 

 

Earnest Cave::

Lie to Congress.  Everybody lies to congress.  Except Barry Bonds, Roger
Clemens and Mark McGuire.  Barry didn't go, Mark wouldn't talk and Clemens said
everyone else miss remembered.

 

Brian Ahmad: 

I would vote on a case by case bases. I think baseball turned a blind eye to steroid use for years, and in my opinion could have encouraged it. I remember seeing commercials on TV with Greg Maddux stating "Chicks dig the long ball." I know drugs help bat speed and longevity, but you still have to hit and pitch well to be a winner. Its just plain sad that we even have to talk about this because all those guys were really good before they started taking performance enhancing drugs. If there is one guy i wouldnt vote for it would be Alex Rodriguez. He has been taking drugs since high school. I know he is one of your Yankees, but he is a cheat in my opinion. Lets see what he can do clean. :)

 

 

Next Week’s Opinion Prelude, “The Asterisk”  -  When Roger Maris hit home run number 61 to break Babe Ruth’s single season home run record, Major League Baseball put an asterisk in the record book indicating that Babe Ruth hit his 60 home runs in a 154 game season, but Roger Maris hit his in a 160 game season.  Maris even received hate mail for breaking Ruth’s record and was harassed til he died.

 

Next Week’s Opinion Poll Question # 1: Do You Believe there should be Asterisks in Record Books and Why ?  - Feel free to expand or explain.

 

My Opinion – No asterisk, For Baseball, the record only states, “Most Home Runs in a Season”.  The fan is the one that gets bent out of shape and wants to compare stars of this era with the legends of the past; but the fan is left to believe what he wants about who is best.  Something seems to happen about every ten years to make records un-comparable.  Either rule changes or technology invents better equipment.   There will always be an argument if records are from different eras.  For example, in Basketball the Most points in a season is flawed by the fact the stars in the 70’s and before had no three point line.   All the Major League Pitching Records can’t be compared because pitchers in the 60’s and 70’s went for complete games and had to be tired in the 8th and 9th inning.  With the specialized relievers and closers of today, no starting pitcher gets much past the sixth inning.  The stars in Tennis used wooden rackets that were not strung nearly as tight as the super ultra light weight titanium rackets of today.  College Baseball has to deal with aluminum bats vs wood bats. In Golf, Bobby Jones’ clubs were not nearly as sophisticated as Tiger Woods’ clubs.  You could argue that two modern day stars record does not match up.  J J Redick had the record by shooting largely 20 to 25 feet from the basket while Tyler from Carolina scored mostly from inside 8 feet.  Let’s leave the asterisks off and let the fan’s knowledge of the game decide who is best.  The Record only says “ Most points in a season” or “Most Home Runs in a Season” and no matter how many games it took,  he does have the most for the season.  

 

 

Next Week’s Opinion Prelude, “Reputation” -  With all the great songs and sold out concerts and millions of records sold;  Michael Jackson will probably be remembered most as an “Accused Child Molester”.  I said Quote “Accused” for I do not know. The Governor of Illinois may have been the best Governor Illinois ever had; but he will be remembered as the Governor who tried to sell Obama’s Senate seat.  No matter if Michael Vick is allowed to play football  or how many records he could break, he will always be remembered for those fighting bulldogs. Barry Bonds will never shake the reputation of the steroids.   So let’s ask the question.

 

Next Week’s Opinion Poll Question # 2:  How Important is Reputation in Today’s World and is it Different for Those With Money Vs Those Without Money ?

 

My Opinion – I believe Reputation is more important to a man without money.  He is viewed much differently.  You take a movie star; they hop from one bed to another, do drugs, get in fights and we still go see their movies.  For a poor man, other than his God, Reputation is about all he has.  In a small town, reputation can destroy a person.  In the world of money, any news (Good or Bad) is considered Publicity and they want it.  The Governor of Illinois just signed a contract to do a movie. Michael Jackson was going out on a mega million dollar tour.  People seem to forgive money, but hold a poor man to the wall.  Fair or not, Reputation and Integrity are most important to a small town poor man.  His word and his handshake may be all he has.  He must protect it at all costs. 

 

 

 

Sports Tid Bit – Phil Mickelson’s second place finish in the U S Open is a record.  He was tied with the most second place finishes in the U S Open at four with Bobby Jones, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus but he now holds that record all by himself at five.

 

Cute Quote From Yogi Berra -  “Eighty Five % of the putts that are short don’t go in”

 

Don’t Forget to Send In an Opinion on our Poll – See Questions Up Above

 

Hit Counter –  @ 275 hits last week in a short week

  

 

Tid Bits

 

 

TMRC Referee Camp Dates – Sunday, June 21 – Wednesday, June 24

 

Print Camp Brochure -  CampBrochure.pdf

 

Calendar Link Updated – All the dates on the Calendar link or current and the new conferences are listed at the bottom of that link.

 

ARBITER Tid Bit    Click on any official’s name on the ARBITER and a drop down screen will show his address.  Click on that address and MapQuest will provide a map to his house. Do the same thing for a school for a map to that school or rec gym.

 

My Email Address  -  eoa1@suddenlink.net    (That is a # 1 behind the eoa, not an “L”)

Home Phone – 252 522 2373

Cell Phone -  -  252 559 0493

Mailing Address :  3000 Graham Dr,  Kinston, N C 28504

 

 

 

EDITION # 577

 

Disclaimer, Fine Print -  This web page is not an official site or endorsed by any organization such as the NCHSAA or the National Federation of High Schools.  Except for the Opinion Poll Results, all items are the opinion, philosophy or belief of Tommy Mattocks. It's sole purpose is to provide information and entertainment for the EOA members, former EOA members and any other interested readers. We apologize for any inaccuracies or misspellings that may slip through the cracks.  Read at your own risk.

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