Post by cajunsoccerguy on Feb 17, 2016 13:04:50 GMT -6
I very rarely post here and didn't want to take away from the kids and games being played yesterday. So, I waited until today, when I saw very few or no games on the schedule.
After 17 years as a referee here in Louisiana (rec, high school, and college), I am sad to announce that I am being forced to walk away from the ability to step onto the field as be an "on the field" part of the game that I have loved since I was a young child, at the age of 37. The reason I have to walk away is that I will be required to have back surgery to fuse some vertebrae, which will likely take place in June. This is devastating on multiple levels as a I have grown to use my time on the field as a "therapist" from my day job issues, income to help pay bills, and an avenue to meet some new, great people and friends.
From my conversations with fellow referees from around the state, there are WAY more of you out there that know who I am and like the way I referee a game than I actually thought, which is humbling. My goal when I started refereeing was to make a little extra income while still staying close to the game. And, While I have done that, I have come to know that it is definitely bigger than that. Now I see it is giving back to the game that gave me so much. It's is giving back to the referees who worked games while I was playing so that there kids and grand kids can enjoy it as well. It is giving the current crop of players the ability to step onto the field and grow to love the game as well. It is hopefully being part of the life learning process for the upcoming youth, and giving them life lessons and skills to prepare them for the real world that they may not have gotten otherwise. I believe I have done at least a halfway job of performing those duties.
While it leaves a huge void in my heart, pocket book, and daily activities; I am happy to say that I have benefited greatly from my time on the field. To all of those who have helped me improve my skills (happyjack, cardsinhand, dulac, and time2retire to name a few), your time feedback and knowledge are more than GREATLY appreciated. For all others (parents, players, and coaches) who have stepped and said they didn't mind me working their games, I thank you for helping me feel welcomed and appreciated. For everyone else who had harsh criticisms of me and the way I called a game (you can't please everyone), thank you for motivating me to assess my abilities and work on improving them.
At some point, I will likely be back as an assessor, instructor, or assignor; but they will be determined in time and by how much the loss of income will affect me. Until that time I am able to get back out to the fields on a regular basis...it has been fun, it has been real, and most of the time it has been real fun.
Play on!
Alan Coco
(The bald referee from Lake Charles)
Sulphur, LA
After 17 years as a referee here in Louisiana (rec, high school, and college), I am sad to announce that I am being forced to walk away from the ability to step onto the field as be an "on the field" part of the game that I have loved since I was a young child, at the age of 37. The reason I have to walk away is that I will be required to have back surgery to fuse some vertebrae, which will likely take place in June. This is devastating on multiple levels as a I have grown to use my time on the field as a "therapist" from my day job issues, income to help pay bills, and an avenue to meet some new, great people and friends.
From my conversations with fellow referees from around the state, there are WAY more of you out there that know who I am and like the way I referee a game than I actually thought, which is humbling. My goal when I started refereeing was to make a little extra income while still staying close to the game. And, While I have done that, I have come to know that it is definitely bigger than that. Now I see it is giving back to the game that gave me so much. It's is giving back to the referees who worked games while I was playing so that there kids and grand kids can enjoy it as well. It is giving the current crop of players the ability to step onto the field and grow to love the game as well. It is hopefully being part of the life learning process for the upcoming youth, and giving them life lessons and skills to prepare them for the real world that they may not have gotten otherwise. I believe I have done at least a halfway job of performing those duties.
While it leaves a huge void in my heart, pocket book, and daily activities; I am happy to say that I have benefited greatly from my time on the field. To all of those who have helped me improve my skills (happyjack, cardsinhand, dulac, and time2retire to name a few), your time feedback and knowledge are more than GREATLY appreciated. For all others (parents, players, and coaches) who have stepped and said they didn't mind me working their games, I thank you for helping me feel welcomed and appreciated. For everyone else who had harsh criticisms of me and the way I called a game (you can't please everyone), thank you for motivating me to assess my abilities and work on improving them.
At some point, I will likely be back as an assessor, instructor, or assignor; but they will be determined in time and by how much the loss of income will affect me. Until that time I am able to get back out to the fields on a regular basis...it has been fun, it has been real, and most of the time it has been real fun.
Play on!
Alan Coco
(The bald referee from Lake Charles)
Sulphur, LA