This in an interesting time of year in NCAA football officiating circles. Its the time of the year when open football official roster slots are filled, supplemental roster spots are offered to new prospects and rookies anxiously await their fate at the hands of DIII and DII conference supervisors. I’ve personally waited on pins and needles through the period of time that starts with the final spring scrimmage and ends with the release of the conference rosters.
I call it the HARVEST
Farm analogies abound…NFL rookie hires its new staff members from the DI conferences., DI BCS conferences have planted seeds in season prior and the supervisors look down into the FCS conferences for those ripe for harvest. Once those candidates are selected, the FCS supervisors repeat the process looking down (down not meant in a derogatory fashion, but in a hierarchical sense) to DII and DIII conferences seeking replacements for those fine officials “harvested” from their rosters. Open slots must be filled. Dry mouths and racing hearts are at every level of this multi-tiered structure. Finally, some talented and dedicated (and in my case last year…lucky) high school officials will get the call as well.
The HARVEST
Like farmers reaping the rewards of their hard work in the field, football officials begin the process of climbing the ladder of success. It’s narrow at the top guaranteed, but to those that plow and disc, weed and fertilize, water and grow…the harvest is most certainly in your near future. There may be drought, locust damage, wind and hail, or frigid cold that attempts to prevent or delay your harvest. Keep the faith. Your time is coming.
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