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A Thankless Job
We are in the middle of the high school basketball season, and, with my cameras in hand, I get to enjoy two or three boys or girls games each week. I bounce around from Barker Memorial Gymnasium at Plattsburgh High School to Seton Catholic Central to Beekmantown Central and even out to the cozy confines of Peru Central, one of the smallest courts in the Champlain Valley Athletic Conference.
While the focus is on the players, the game couldn't be played without the work of the basketball officials. I think officiating a basketball game is one of the toughest jobs in sports. You try running up and down the basketball court for a couple of hours, changing directions constantly, trying not to bump into coaches walking the sidelines, while hundreds of fans evaluate each one of the hundreds of calls you will make during the course of a game. You try staying calm while fans shout at you, "Call something, ref" or "Let 'em play, ref!" or "You need glasses, ref!" or worse!
Refs come in all shapes and sizes, and I think the dean of active officials would be Ron Giambruno. I don't know how long Ron has been blowing the whistle, but I do know he's already worn out one pair of knees. As a former official timer at high school games (my brother Goose now holds that job at PHS), I have always studied the way refs report fouls to the officials table. Ron's style is among the best. Just watch him some time.
There's a great group of current officials, but a dire need for more. Guys like Al Rose, Steve Parker, Pete McMillan, Mike Roberts and Ron Giambruno won't be working basketball games forever. We need some young blood wearing the stripes.
But whenever I talk about referees, I like to think back to the days when I played. There were some great ones. If you ever saw Pickles Proctor call a game, you'd remember it. He was colorful. I remember one big Catholic League playoff game with a packed Plattsburgh Air Force Base gym. When Pickles made a traveling call at a crucial moment, he slid on his knees for about twenty feet, twirling his arms all the while giving the traveling signal.
The list of memorable officials from the Fifties and Sixties is endless. Recently, I joined a few of the boys in a discussion of basketball officials of old, and this is the list we came up with: Andy Simays, Nubby O'Connell, the Benson brothers, Bill Durnin, Roy Garrant, Bill Badger, Rod LaValley, Bobby Parker, Tony Papero, Charlie Niles, Dud Bullis, Arnie Miller, Danny Adams, John Mousseau, Don Sprague, Bob Garrow, Earl Burnell, Sal Mercurio and even Dutch Proeshel of Malone. I wonder who we left out.
When it came to knowledge of the rules, the first and foremost was Eddie Gallagher, who even conducted clinics in Puerto Rico and South America, training basketball officials. Then guys like Shorty Flynn and Gary Butler and Randy Gallagher, Eddie's son, knew the rule book inside out.
From the Sixties up to the current day, I've seen hundreds of basketball officials, but the overall best pick of the litter might be Johnny Carpenter. Johnny knew the rules, maintained an even disposition and had a great sense of humor when reporting fouls or checking things at the officials' table. He retired from the game way too soon, in my book.
Another basketball official I enjoyed watching work was Poppy Rock. The Ausable Valley Sports Hall of Famer was one of the best. She had great style and I was disappointed when she hung up the whistle. It's too bad that there aren't more ladies getting into officiating, and I really don't know why there is such a shortage. There are so many excellent girl basketball players, many of whom move on the college hoop. When their playing days are done, why don't they get into officiating?
Maybe because it's such a thankless job!
Comments
Foxy: Thanks for recognizing the many great officials in the North Country. I am especially fond of two you mentioned - my father Donald Sprague, the best official I ever saw (and I have seen them nationwide, including Ed Hightower from nearby Edwardsville, Illinois who interviewed me for a job years ago) and of course my old high school football coach Mr. Joe Gilbo. He and my dad worked together (as did Smock Podres) for many years and they were super. When you mention the best in the North Country, well, those three stand out in many ways. No three men ever did it better in my opinion.
Dale Sprague
Springfield HS
Springfield, Illinois
(Foxy's note: Great to hear from Dale Sprague, a 1972 grad of Moriah Central, who went on to coach Western Maryland College, and other schools as well, I assume.)
Posted by: Dale L. Sprague | April 24, 2008 12:37 PM
When I played in the late 60's I had absolutely complete trust & confidence in Eddie Gallagher's & Tony Papero's calls - they were the best refs I felt though I want to acknowledge all those who volunteer. One of Joe's list made a call so bad in a football game we had against MAI that I just couldn't believe him. He made a goal line call from the 20 & the ref on the goal line called it a touchdown but was overruled. I still have a bad taste in my mouth 40 years later - my bad, I know - I just have to get it off my chest, I hope you can forgive me. I must say - those who serve are doing a great civil service & I applaud them for that.
Posted by: Miney Rowlson | February 4, 2008 10:36 AM
As a young child in Dannemora, I used to love to hear my grandfather, Tot LaFontaine, talk about his refereeing career...but the best part of these stories was hearing them from other people who always said he was one of the best back in the 30's and 40's. He knew all the "dirty tricks" that players liked to use, but he was described as "tough but fair", which is really one of the best accolades you can get as a ref. My fondest memory is finding an old ref rulebook and seeing his name in there as one of the best and him showing me a medallion of that honor.
(Foxy's note: Thanks for sharing some great memories, Joe.)
Posted by: Joe Sullivan | February 4, 2008 9:28 AM
One official that perhaps not many realize is out there and does big time Divison I basketball is Odgensburg's Jamie Luckie. Works I believe in the ACC or Big 12. OFA graduate as well as outstanding athlete at North Country Community College. Believe he left doing Section X games in the early 90's.
Another official still out there , as far as I know, is Randy Brown (Peru) who does games in the Albany area.
(Foxy's note: I remember Jamie Luckie working Regional boys basketball games at Memorial Hall or the Field House. As court announcer I had the chance to introduce him as "Mr. Luckie.")
Posted by: rubble | February 1, 2008 9:24 PM
A quick note: Wally Vanderhoff, the dad, not only did basketball, he officiated Division 1 basketball. I rode out with him when he did the St Bonnie-Providence game in Buffalo.
Posted by: Wayne Lashway | February 1, 2008 5:28 PM
Foxy, with finally a day off from officiating (all games cancelled) I can send you a response to your fine article concerning officiating. You hit it right on the head that it is a thankless job. I feel whoever puts on the stripes It shows they really enjoy what they are doing. Our present board of officials is very strong. Most can handle a big game. We all take our job very seriously when we step on the court. And you have to be ready for almost anything. As a player my favorite official was Mr. Garrow. He was also my elementary school principal. He was always firm, fair, and consistent as an official and principal. As a coach my favorite was Don Verkey. He would let you play plain and simple. You always knew what type of game you would get from Don. As a partner there are just too many to mention. One who I will mention I wish would come back to our board. That is Steve Criss. I have always felt Steve could go a long way as an official, quite possibly Division I. He made a committment to his family which is what we all should do. When and if he is ready to come back he will be welcomed with open arms. Also, thank you to "Carver" for the nice comments. I am sure every official who has been mentioned in your article appreciates it very much. Like you said, it is a thankless job.
(Foxy's note: Great to hear from you, Lace! You guys do a great job -- I hope all the fans re-read my blog just before Sectionals.)
Posted by: Lace | February 1, 2008 3:57 PM
Fox, I would like to add Glen Bissell from Section 10 to the list. He and Dutch Proechel also did many of the college games.
(Foxy's note: Thanks for the addition, Skip. I also heard from Sal Righi, who added young Wally Vanderhoff to the list and also, did Wally Vanderhoff the dad and baseball umpire also work basketball? And Sal Righi also recalls John Flynn being a referee for college games. This is where another Sal, Sal Mercurio, and I differed recently. I said that John Flynn and Bill Flynn never were basketball referees, but Sal Mercurio votes yes. Who's right?)
Posted by: skip zatonski | February 1, 2008 10:51 AM
Hey Fox, We are fortunate to have officials in our area that ref "for the love of the game".. they are all dedicated to the profession and many of our local officials now have advanced to the college level and that 's nice to see.
I saw a few games this week, and thought all the officials did an excellent job . A couple "up and comers " I should have mentioned earlier are George Dyer and Jamie LaBarge. They always give their best effort. Jamie is also one of our better soccer officials as well. Someone else mentioned Tommy Edwards and I agree. He's one of the best. My hat's off to all of the officials in our region. I think they do a heck of a job.
As for Doc's comments , I don't totally disagree with you, But you have a limited number of timeouts and they only last a minute! I 've heard some if not all of Sal's stories, he has no short answers, certain none that last less than a minute... and you are right, if he blew a call he always would admit it. But generally after a 20 year waiting period!
(Foxy's note: Thanks for adding a few more names, The Carver. And let's add Dennis LaBarge to the list. He's the brother of Jamie LaBarge. We sure do miss Steve Criss, one of the all-time best, but his kid is a hockey star (goalie) and Steve coaches hockey now.)
Posted by: The Carver | February 1, 2008 7:32 AM
Foxy,
I agree that refereeing a hoop game is a very difficullt job. On almost every call, one coach and half of the fans agree with the call ,however, on the other hand, the opposing coach and his supporters disagree.
I played golf with Nubby O'connnel and Neil Breen in Vero Beach. Nubby is still umpiring college baseball and softball games. He is considered one of the top officials in the Vero area.
Posted by: wayne Lashway | January 31, 2008 6:14 PM
How about the "Big Z" refereeing and keeping score during Sunday night basketball @ PHS?
His team never lost!
Posted by: jh | January 31, 2008 3:44 PM
Hi Foxy,
One aspect you didn't cover: those who officiated both boys and girls hoops, which, I'm sure you will agree, are two very different games. My favorites were, in no particular order, Al Rose, Dean Benson, Poppy Rock, Gary Butler, and Frank Felicelli. You could always ask them what you did wrong to cause the foul and they would give you a straightforward answer. Sometimes they would offer up the explanation without a question (Dean Benson)! If you asked them to watch for something specific they would do that, too, which I appreciated as I used to come away from games with scratches, bite marks, and other various mementos.
Officials take a lot of stick from the players, coaches, and crowds. Not only is it a physical job but I have to believe it is psychologically draining as well. They are to be commended!
I was a co-recipient of the basketball officials' Sportmanship Award in my senior year at PHS and, to this day, it is still one of the awards I cherish most.
(Foxy's note: Thanks for the additional slant on things, Lisa Z. Nice to hear from you!)
Posted by: Lisa Z. | January 31, 2008 9:58 AM
Don't forget Mike Mannix. Mike would do a freshman or junior varsity game and then set up and announce the varsity contest. Was known to donate his time at some games as well.
Ranieri Rotelli never cheated anyone out of a good show either. Was a pleasure to watch.
As for Sal- Won't forget overhearing him say about one complaining coach, "I've forgotten more basketball in the last minute than that coach will know in a lifetime" Probably pretty accurate too.
Southern Board Tom Edwards does deserve some recognition . Been around much longer than he looks. Always an honest effort.
It is unfortunate that we are no longer blessed with Dean Benson. Who can forget his comment regarding coaches and fans being too hard on their kids "did you ever see a kid deliberately try to mess up". Put it in pretty good perspective, spend less time yelling and more time instructing. No kid ever went out and tried to do a bad job, nor did Dean ever give anything but his best.
(Foxy's note: Rubble, great comments here. Tommy Edwards is surely one of the best, and always gets sectional and regional games at the Field House. I'd forgotten about Mike Mannix and Ranieri Rotelli as basketball officials.)
Posted by: rubble | January 30, 2008 11:16 PM
Foxy,
Excellent blog and at a very crucial time. All those men and some ladies have been providing a great service to our young adults for many decades. Ray Holmes had a philosophy of always trying to give back to the sport that was so good to you. Danny Adams was so true to that adage. So many of these men not only refereed but also set positive role models. They did what they did for the love of the game. The officials today do the same, the problem is there is not enough of them. The shortage of officials has become a serious concern in Section 7 and anyone wishing to give back to the games of their high school days, give it some thought.
A few more names from the southern board; Don Sprague, Tom Podres, Ed Stores, Joe Gilbo, all great officials. As for the best, too many good ones. The most fun - Dean Benson.
Staves
(Foxy's note: Thanks, Joe. If someone is looking for more information about becoming a referee, who can they contact?)
Posted by: Joe Staves | January 30, 2008 5:23 PM
Foxy, I would add Dick "Butterball" Letourneau to the list along with Dave Southwick who worked games back in the 60's & 70's.
(Foxy's note: Good ones, Ross. Thanks!)
Posted by: Ross O'Loughlin | January 30, 2008 10:30 AM
I've had the opportunity to see officiating from all sides, as past player, past official, even a little as a coach... and more recently as a spectator in both boys and girls, I think your list is pretty accurate..
...Nubby O'Connell was a great official but boy did he call a tight game! You didn't wanna be reaching ! On the other end of the coin...Don Verkey was also good.. but completely different "No Blood no Foul" .. not saying either was right or wrong, both were excellent but most importantly consistent.
Tops of the good ole boys: John Carpenter, Bill Badger, Dean Benson, Don Sprague, Gil Burnell, Earl Burnell, Rod Lavalley, Nubby O'Connell...sorry Carp, you now qualify as one of "the ole boys"
best to work a game with:
Carpenter, Badger, Giambruno, Paul O'Connell, Timmy Leary, Pete McMillian, John Mousseau
Tops still "workin it"...Steve Parker, Giambruno, Tom Lacey, Andy Morelli.
Great officials I haven't seen in a while??
Steve Criss, Joe Porcelli
"Most Likely to make a call you never heard of" - Randy Gallagher
Official who will tell you he "never missed a call he never saw " - Sal Mercurio
Someone should check with Bob Daley, I 'd love to see his list! After all who's seen more games than him!
Regarding your mentioning of Eddie Gallagher and Shorty Flynn...I'll look around, , I think I've got some old photos of them working together in Puerto Rico
If I missed anyone, check at "The Roman Gardens"...they're probably still hangin out there!!!
(Foxy's note: Boy, The Carver, really knows his stuff. I'm glad you added Gil Burnell to the list -- a great one! And I should have had Andy Morelli in there, too. Lots of great comments here, The Carver. Thanks!)
Posted by: The Carver | January 30, 2008 7:02 AM
Having been a high school basketball coach, I have to cast my vote for Sal Mercurio. Sal always did a good job and, best of all, you could talk to him about a call and if he blew it he would admit it.
Posted by: Doc | January 30, 2008 6:38 AM
Foxy , it's ironic that you blog about this - just last week I was visiting my brother John (Butler) in Potsdam and we attended a college basketball game and I suggested that he should become a ref like our dad did. He quickly said no way, I'd never want everyone yelling at me. Then we took a walk back in time and recalled the days when we were in High School and being at a game where our father Gary Butler was refing the game and slinking into our seats when we'd hear the fans yell, "Butler get some new glasses" in the hope no one would recognize us as the offspring of the guy in stripes. It is indeed a thankless job! By the way the announcer of the game last week was also a P-burgh alumni, Tommy Nesbitt
Posted by: Beth Butler Haig | January 30, 2008 6:21 AM