The Hiring Process For Officials--How It Works & How To Succeed

This is the time of year for finalizing assignments for collegiate officials to begin their work in January--but its also a time when many people are choosing officiating as a field they want to explore.  The hiring of new (and experienced) officials is a difficult process that has many aspects to consider.

Here are some things to remember when you are asking to be hired:

*  Have you completed all the USTA and ITA requirements before requesting consideration?
*  How are your personal skills such as friendliness and ability to get along with others?
*  How committed are you to the task?  Noone wants to hire a new official who backs out of half of their assignments.
*  How much actual experience do you have?  Be up front and honest with your employer about what you have done--and haven't done.  It makes a difference.
*  Don't let your first question be to ask how much you are going to get paid.  That's the quickest way to take your name out of consideration.
*  Please don't say, "I'm a tennis player and already know all the rules."  You won't get hired by a reputable referee if you do this.
*  Don't say that you don't need training because you already know how to do it.
*  Don't laugh when the referee talks about requirements and say, "It doesn't sound that hard."  If by chance you do get hired, they will give you the most difficult match to show you how it works.
*  Don't show up for your interview dressed like a slouch.
*  Don't show up at your first match with something other than required attire.  It happens more than you can imagine...
*  Don't say, "I need money and this is an easy way to get some cash."
*  Don't show up with an arrogant attitude that you know it all and we should be glad to have you because we won't be and you won't get hired.
*  Don't show up late.
*  Listen more than you talk.
*  Don't drop the names of everyone you know and every tennis player that you have opened balls for.

The hiring process always includes the one doing the hiring.  If you are wanting to get hired, here are some things we integrate into our hiring process and here are some things to remember when you are doing the hiring:

*  Hire people who are energetic and pleasing to be around.  If they aren't, they will drive you crazy.
*  Check their previous work history and even talk to their previous employers.  It will pay off.
*  Avoid people who tell you how privileged you are to have them.
*  Run from people who continually say, "I know that."  They usually don't.
*  Don't hire people based on their skin color or sexual orientation.  It doesn't matter...
*  If you get chance, walk them to their car and see if its neat and clean.  That's a good indicator of what kind of official they are going to be.
*  Check out their personal appearance and hygiene.
*  Ask them generic questions about things other than tennis to discover their personal values and work ethic.  It can be done and you need to do it...
*  Listen to them talk.  They will usually tell you all you need to know.
*  If they shake hands, check out the quality of their handshake.  It tells you a lot.
*  If you reach out to shake hands and they want to do a fist bump--run.
*  Ask them what they believe about having authority--and then listen to their answer.
*  Take them out to eat and observe.  You can learn more here than in an audition.
*  Talk to other referees who know them.  This is a great source of information--both pro and con.

Christmas Wish List A Little Early This Year

Since we have now finished off all the turkey and dressing, it is now time to turn our thoughts toward Santa Claus and all of our Christmas wishes...  Here are mine for this year:

*  That a Big 12 team would win the NCAA team title in either the men's or women's division.  While we totally respect the other teams, it would just be nice to have the title in the Big 12 for a change.

*  That the USTA would come up with requirements for officials with over 5 years experience that are different than those for a beginner.

*  That Nucula would be a thing of the past and never to be mentioned again.

*  That the ITA would not raise our dues for at least one more year.

*  That Tom Herman would not go to LSU.  Makes you wonder what we think about another situation doesn't it?

*  That Trump would announce the formation of a Tennis Ambassador and put their headquarters in Dallas, Texas.

*  That Oklahoma would finally finish the road work between Denton and Norman.

*  That the state of Oklahoma would give $100 in casino credits for all Texas officials who work a match in Oklahoma.  Just a thought...

*  That the USTA would pay for eye exams since they require them of all officials.

*  That the USTA would put some teeth into their penalties for misbehaving parents and players.

*  That the USTA would forget the words "diversity" and "politically correct" and get back to basics again
.
*  That some of our officials would quit calling three days after an event wanting to know when they are going to get paid.  In Heaven, it takes at least a week so get over it.

*  That new officials in training would never again say, "I know that."  If they knew that, then why aren't they doing it?

*  That new officials wouldn't think they "have arrived" after shadowing one dual match.  Perfection takes time to achieve.

*  That pro officials would be required to take a course called "How To Keep Your Self-Inflated Ego Under Control."

*  That some of our officials would quit demanding their "ten minute rest break" every hour.

*  Teach some of our officials that their hero should be Jesus and not Attila the Hun.

Thanksgiving--And Its Meaning To Us All

Our wish for you all is that you have a fantastic Thanksgiving holiday season filled with lots of food, family, and fellowship.  Here are some different thoughts on Thanksgiving and its meaning to all of us...

*  Thankful that I've finished all my certification requirements and don't have to do any more until next year.
*  Thankful that I don't have to do any junior tournaments until next year.
*  Thankful that we lived through all the UIL dual matches this year.  There were 65 of them in October alone!

 Some will take this holiday season to practice their line calling techniques.  This is probably a good thing for some of the turkeys among us...

 Most of us guys will take the holiday as a time to run to the football games.  This weekend holds special significance for Rick Gabel and his Ohio State Buckeyes--and a little glimmer of hope for Brighton McMinn and Jim Lawson and their Oklahoma Sooners.  Probably won't be a good holiday weekend for Charlie Strong down in Austin...

Many officials will be rejoicing this holiday season over the fact they have finally finished all their background checks, videos, exams, and everything else that has happened to us this year.  If you are lucky enough to have a Nucula account, then there is much cause for happiness.

Some will be worrying throughout the holidays that they may have forgotten something in the certification process and won't be certified in 2017.  Remember--worrying will accomplish nothing.

Not everyone faces the holidays with grace--some rise up in arms to defend themselves and go after those who would harm them.  More power to them!

Looks like a bunch of new officials getting ready to chair their first match wondering which one will be chosen to go first.

Through it all--we hope you all have a great Thanksgiving!

COACHES: How They Enrich And Strengthen Our Lives

There is nothing more exiting or rewarding than collegiate tennis officiating--and dealing with coaches is one of the main reasons that its so fun (tongue in cheek).  They offer us insight into our birthright, very existence on earth, our weaknesses, our Mother's bias, and a multitude of other things--but its still a great life and they actually serve to make it richer and fuller.  If we took all of their antics seriously we would never stay in the game.  Just watch, learn, cope and enjoy the life!

Here are a few of our types of coaches that we encounter on a regular basis:

The one who is absolutely amazed that you overruled that far sideline call.

The one who wants to hit something but remembers that his wife and kids are watching.

The "howler."  Enough said...  All you have to do it work with one and you will know what we mean.

The "lip licker".  Doesn't show much emotion but uses a lot of chap stick.

The "contemplator."  Just sits and wonders why we as officials even exist on earth.

The "screamer."  We all know who they are...  (and so do their fans, wives, athletic directors, and players)

The one who your son wouldn't want to play for.

The one whose Mother is ashamed of him and is in need of counseling.

Get Ready For The Children Of Millennials!

As our society struggles to cope with the advent of millennials and their impact on everything we do, we discover quickly that they are a gifted generation but one that comes with many weaknesses and pitfalls.  Someone has well said that you discover the most about a person's character when they are under stress--and if that is the case, then a whole bunch of them got failing grades this past week...

After losing the Presidential election, the young democrat millennials were quick to shed tears in their moment of disbelief.  I had the privilege this past week of standing beside four millennials who were on the street hugging and crying and saying, "I can't believe she lost..."  Of course I was quick to rush over to console them and promise that "Jesus still loves you."

Even the men weren't exempt from the "pain and suffering" that they were forced to endure.  Its not very comforting to have a man say that we "weren't sensitive to his needs during his time of loss" when he's whining about losing an election.

And then there were those who were totally out of control...  They haven't quite mastered the understanding that in an election someone always wins and someone always loses.  That's how democracy works...

Suffice it to say that the vast majority of millennials are fine young people and personally I feel that our future is fairly secure in their hands--but then there is that small percentage that ruins everything for everyone.  Their seeming inability to deal with defeat or situations in which they don't "win" or get their way is a cause for much concern--and not so much for the present, but JUST IMAGINE what kind of kids they are going to raise!

And we as officials will have to deal with their children when they start playing tennis...  Here are some thoughts about the future of junior tennis and what the future holds for all of us...

You'd better get ready for lots of temper tantrums and parents who don't know what to do about it.  There won't be enough room at the tennis centers for "time out areas" for the little darlings...

And if tantrums don't work, they can always resort to tears.  It works on their parents every time.

What should we as officials do in preparation for the coming onslaught?

*  Study the personality traits of millennials and their children and know them well.
*  Study the rules of tennis and know them well because the parents will have their phones nearby to show the rule about everything.
*  Be prepared to be a star because they will all have their phones and will be videoing everything you say and do.
*  Carry a spare puppy or kitten along with you so you can assign them to an unhappy child of a millennial and it will help them through their stressful time of playing tennis.
*  Keep a good supply of coloring books so they can express their emotions in a tangible manner.
*  Be sure we change the rules of tennis to allow them to communicate between every point with their parents and coaches on their cell phones.
*  Allow for at least 4 minutes on changeovers so they don't get overheated or stressed during a match.
*  Above all else, don't let someone be declared "winner" and someone declared "loser" because that would upset both their sensitive psyches.

Someone once made this wise statement:  The way that a child responds to his parents' authority will soon become the way that he responds to God's authority."

Since that is true, you'd better hang on because I don't know exactly where we as officials fit into the grand scheme of things but I can see many storm clouds on the tennis horizon...

2016 UIL State Team Tennis Champions

Special congratulations to the these two fine state UIL champions!  I have had the privilege of officiating numerous matches for both teams and they are more than deserving of their honors!

6A State Champions

PLANO WEST HIGH SCHOOL

Coach:  Morgen Walker

5A State Champions

HIGHLAND PARK HIGH SCHOOL

Coach:  Dan Holden

USTA Exams--Ever Feel Like You Are Drowning And Need Help?

Seems like nary a day passes that we don't hear from a frustrated official who can't figure out the tests, how to take them, or how to navigate through the online programs--and then they don't know where to find help...

Its even more frustrating with someone wants to become a new official but here is about all we can offer in the way of advice and help.

*  Be sure to read and re-read all of the requirements to become an official.  You can access these by clicking on "Becoming A USTA Official" on the right hand side of this page.  Also, click on "Becoming An ITA Official" if you are interested in that area.

*  Remember that the tests are going to take over 7 hours even if you encounter no problems so allot plenty of time for the experience.

*  Email the USTA at officiating@usta.com if you get stuck.

*  Call Julio Echavarria is all else fails.  Maybe he can fix it for you or tell you where to turn.  His number is 915 696 7280.

*  Be sure that you have or get a Nucula account so you can proceed on with the rest of your life!

Welcome To Our World--Working With The New "Millennials"

Since we live in an ever-changing world, we are now confronted with a whole new generation called "millennials."  It is difficult to explain what it is like enlisting them and then working with them because there are so many valleys and mountaintops.  Suffice it to say, we are all still learning how to adjust to our newcomers.  Here are some of their traits:

*  Have no problems with self-confidence and self-image.
*  Not adept at arriving on time.
*  Pays little attention to detail.
*  Impossible to view them apart from their cell phones and I pads.
*  Usually very astute in their personal appearance and grooming.
*  Need to work frequently to help pay for their clothes and hair styles.
*  Usually a lot of fun but have a very short attention span.
*  Loves to be in the chair for the #1 match but frequently get into trouble.
*  Nearly always above average in intelligence.
*  Great at fixing the malfunctioning scorekeeper.
*  Can find almost any app for you in a matter of minutes.
*  Great attribute to the team if you can keep them focused and faithful.
*  Not given to a strong work ethic and tend to float in their allegiances.
*  Love to give a fist bump when you do most anything.
*  Fairly gullible when it comes to things in everyday life.
*  Like to have a mentor but only for about 10 minutes and then they think they know it all.
*  Don't do well with an overbearing and irate coach.  They don't handle conflict well at all.

In my exuberance to properly define our millennial friends, I found this definition in a contemporary dictionary.  It fits well...

"A special little snowflake.  Born between 1982 and 1994, this generation is something special, cause Mom and Dad and their 5th grade teacher Mrs. Winotsky told them so.  Plus, they have a whole shelf of participation trophies sitting at home so it has to be true.

They believe themselves to be highly intelligent, the teachers and lecturers constantly gave them "A"s in order to keep Mom and Dad from complaining to the Dean.  Unfortunately, nobody explained to them the difference between an education and grade inflation so they tend to demonstrate poor spelling and even poorer grammar.

At work, millennials believe themselves to be overachievers who just aren't understood by their loser bosses.  Even Mom said so when she showed up for the interview.  They are the only generation in the universe to understand the concept of work - life balance and to actually want to find a fulfilling career.  All those Gen X losers just don't get it what with their hoping to keep their jobs and pay the
bills but they are just corporate drones so who cares what they think?  They should be smart like Millennials and get Mom and Dad to pay for that stuff until they can work out what they want to do with their lives and then get rich doing it."

We will have to adjust to having them on the scene and applying for officiating opportunities--now we just have to figure out what to do with them...