On one hand, it seems that "the earlier the better" is the best course of action. This mindset means that the coordinator believes that he/she will get the best officials by getting their availability out first. I tend to agree but it could also mean that the weaker officials sign up for everything in hopes of getting something...
In the past (and this is about 5 years ago), the majority of coordinators would wait until September 1st to send out their availabilities. This made it easier for the officials to commit 6 months in advance instead of 8-9 months. Since the Baylor and Arkansas availabilities are already out there and Big 12 is coming soon, it seems like our lot in life is to commit WAY IN ADVANCE in order to go where we want to go.
Personally, I would like to see all the coordinators wait until October 1 to send out their availabilities and then everyone send theirs out at the same time. But then, I just bought a piece of land in Africa...
In case you are wanting to work ITA matches in the spring, here are the coordinators and their schools for your information:
Arkansas (Mike Standrod)
Baylor (Chuck Scott)
Rice University (Ginny James)
SMU (Randy McDonald)
TCU (Myron Krueger)
Texas A&M (Sara Lammerts)
Texas Tech University (Trevor Edgemon)
University of Houston (Ginny James)
University of North Texas (Randy McDonald)
University of Oklahoma (Jim Lawson)
University of Texas at Arlington (Randy McDonald)
University of Texas (Vickie Wright)
University of Texas at San Antonio (Carol Bruehler)
7 comments:
I started out thinking you were on to something when you suggested sending out requests for availabilities simultaneously. Then I considered the possibility of a single, "clearing house" website for coordinators to post avails, rates, requirements etc. Maybe the ITA could create a site where coordinators could post their avails and take avails. Or maybe that Texas ITA Officials Group that seems to be percolating out there could do the same thing. Regardless, the coordiantors will all look out for each other and make sure each of them,their relatives and cronies have all the matches they want prior to scheduling the common folk.
One other consideration ref availability requests is that some folks have real jobs and commiting to weekeday or evening matches 6+ months in advance can be a tricky proposition.
In reality, I don't think the coaches would go for a single clearinghouse thing since they are in so many different conferences. Personally, I think each coordinator should schedule all the matches for their schools including the conference matches.
I think the one later date would work and help solve a lot of the problems but I don't think everyone would go along with it.
I guess the old saying is true that "the early bird gets the worm."
If College Coordinators put out thier request early - they should make their decisions early. It is great - even professional - to plan ahead BUT rude to make people wait.
SACO (friend of BACO)
Wasn't saying the coaches should post the avails on a common site, rather that the co-ordinators for individual schools/conferences post their matches on a common site where officials can see all of the available matches and submit for the ones they want. Perhaps the myriad of Texas based coordinators could work some magic to make that happen, and simultaneously make submitting avails a simpler process. Just a thought.
RM, I would support a proposal to have 1/2 of the coordinators send out their availability on Sept. 1 and the remaining coordinators send out their availability on Oct. 1.
Group 1: BIG 12 / ARK. / Baylor
Group 2: the rest of us.
This would allow officials to get the higher pay assignments committed before committing and then cancelling assignments later to us. I have always worked to accommodate most officials in scheduling; but have put those who abuse the privilege on ice.
Also, those way early-bird coordinators might not get the kind of committment they want in July as they would in September.
Me thinks you have the coordinator of Texas A&M matches wrong. They are looking for replacements as we speak
There has been talk about A&M changing coordinators for years and nothing has changed. Let them go through one SEC season and have major on court problems and then see what happens.
Post a Comment