One night while trying to narrow down thoughts into a brief vision statement, I wrote this:
A VISION FOR SPORTS OFFICIALS
We serve an easily identifiable, reachable demographic, sports officials.
They serve at the heart of fair play, in essence providing justice. As unbiased adults that can promote the love and enjoymentt of the game among those who are biased, making.them, in some ways, the most important people on the field.
Through our company's products, actions, knowledge and insights, we can help shape, sometimes selflessly, in a positive manner, their careers, their lives and families, the way they perceive themselves, as defenders of the integrity of the game, and how they are perceived by others.
If an official's competency, job satisfaction and self-worth can be improved, you improve the games in which they play.
If you can change attitudes about officials in others, through greater understanding, you can create greater harmony and enjoyment of sports, the pasttimes of our lives.
When these inner and outer perceptions change, the perception of the officiating profession improves. As a result, more quality individuals are drawn to it.
The overall end result is that the sports that officials serve and we all love are continually made better and are more enjoyable for those who play, coach and watch.
Eventually, we developed a this more concise vision statement out of the above thoughts:
Our vision is for sports officials to achieve greater satisfaction, safety, wellness and respect. Progress of officials and the officiating profession directly impact sports in a positive manner.
What's your vision for sports officials?
Officials As Role Models Passing on Life Lessons Basketball Official Makes Call to Increase Kids' Opportunities From Kansas to Kabul: Building Communities through Sports
Here are pre-requisites I set for myself as an umpire over the years:
ReplyDelete1. LOOK SHARP - Clean uniform, shined shoes, etc. LOOK THE PART.
2. Arrive at the gamesite early. Check equipment, the field, etc. Any problems, bring it to the attention of the home team's manager.
3. Have a good pre-game conference with the managers. Go over dead ball areas or any special groundrules or bylaws (time limit, run rule, etc).
4. Once you call "Play!", hustle on every play. Yeah, your uniform is going to get sweaty & dirty and your shoes will get dust all over them, but, those are the marks of a good umpire doing his job and NOT being "camped out" behind home plate.
5. Once the game is over, grab your stuff and leave the field immediately. On the way to your car, DON'T stop for questions because your answers WON'T make the fans happy.
6. If for some reason you ARE assaulted by players or fans, call the police and PROSECUTE. They DO NOT have the right to assault an umpire.