Pay it Forward, Run it Back.

July 2018.  The Scene Island Garden, Court 1.

The best in Women’s Basketball convene in the summer for Island Garden’s adult league.  They come from all different collegiate programs: Marist, Hofstra, LIU Post, and even the University of South Carolina.  Within this league I met my female counterpart, and her name was Shay.  

“I’m tryna get these ni**as with no stripes to be official.” – Jay-Z

She was my counterpart and reminded me of when I used to be a force on the court, sans stripes. She was short, carried big sticks – ready to start war with anyone and everyone, just to get a win for her team.  If you barked, she did too; bite on site – and for that, I found her to be my kindred spirit. She would say everything and anything to get an edge over an opponent.  All while saying disparaging comments that can cut to the soul of any competitor, get them off balance.

“He who fears of being conquered is sure of defeat.” – Abraham Lincoln

She smelled blood, and preyed upon weak players.  The same, she did for the refs.  We’ll leave her playful-yet-acerbic comments to a mum, but let’s just say she did one of her atrocities and keened in on one player who the perfect target was younger, taller, slower, and of course, not young enough to know the right car to buy, not not grown enough not to put rims on it.  As an official, I was in a bind – Like Big Pun, I’m not a player no more.

“You have big _____, and you have an UGLY personality.” – S. Franklin 

I thought I would have to separate the two after those comments. But young, tall, and slow wanted know parts. But what I did have to separate is what I thought was kosher as a player, and what was illegal as a ref.  I had to make a border and build a wall…as an official.  I found it funny – until it wasn’t.  I was in the lead, when she came in for a layup.  She thought she got hit in the arm, and got fouled.  “THAT’S A FOUL REF!”  she yelled, emphatically.  It was, and I called it right after she said that.  But she made her point.  She wanted me to call it, on demand, when she thought she got hit.   She got what she wanted, but not when she wanted.  Plant an expectation, reap a disappointment. 

“Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.” – Abraham Lincoln

Time passed.

Months; lo and behold, I see an email chain for all prospective candidates to be certified as a Girl’s Basketball official.  I see Shay’s name on the list – my mentor-motor kicks in.  For all intents and purposes, she became one of my proteges. I was self-made, at a point.  I went through that, so she didn’t have to go through that.  Here is my passion, and I can see it slowly being hers.  

“I am a slow walker, but I never walk back.” – Abraham Lincoln

She passed the class! Success comes in groups, you knew that; and now Shay is in the world.  She’s not a player when she dons stripes, slowly learning nuances. What she considered a foul as a player, is not necessarily the same as an official.  As time goes on, she knows, she will get better.  I was lucky to see the start of it. 

“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”  – Abraham Lincoln

I did her first 3 games with her, ever.  It was low risk; a closed-circuit CYO game. There was a list of things she had to work on:

1. When administering a designated spot throw in as the lead, blow the whistle.
2. When administering a designated spot throw in in the trail, put your hand up to chop the clock.
3. Put your hand up when calling a foul, closed fist.
4. When in the trail and a shot goes up, close down and step closer to the rim.
5. There is no two syllable colors when identifying teams.  Example Purple = Blue. Yellow = Gold
6. When calling the foul to the table, call it slower than you think is the slowest slow.
7. After a time out, administering a throw in, a long, strong whistle is appropriate.  
8. Foul call = Color – Number – Type of foul.
9. Point after a ball goes out of bounds.
10. In the lead, never ball watch

Numbers 1-10 are all semantics and doesn’t really matter.  Most important thing I’ll say, however, and this message is right to Shay – you will learn all of these principals deeply as experience is accrued.  The only thing I ask of you, is to pay it forward to people that come after you.  Be generous with time and information; for the better you can explain it, it only fortifies your own knowledge base. Good luck Shay! You will be great because you want to be for yourself. And once you master it – Run. It. Back.

Another post, another tomorrow.