Todd Skaggs
Things I’ll miss as the season comes to a close…I was sitting at home this Sunday watching my beloved Bengals do battle with the Steelers and I found myself drifting off in space thinking of all the great moments I’d experienced this season and how much I’ll miss certain aspects that could only occur in a Rookie Season. Here are some of those in no particular order:
1. Mid-South road trips in PJ Doyen’s van to Virginia Wise and Kentucky Christian. The middle of the back seat is highly over-rated but being sharing the ride was all that and a bag of chips. Both times.
2. Attending the WVIAC 2 day clinic for the first time. I felt like a kid again at summer camp… new friends, dorms, the dining hall, apprehension of the unknown but without the trail horses with minds of their own.
3. Ordering my first position placard from Honig’s. I can still remember opening that package and thinking to myself, “wow, I actually made it.”
4. Inviting my family to a WVIAC game. Vividly recall my little brother standing in the visitor’s bleachers with a sign that said “S stands for You Suck.” Hey, he’s still my little brother. What really pissed him off is how well I ignored him and his sign!
5. That first late night road trip following a varsity game headed towards Wheeling, WV. Leaving at 10:30 pm and hitting the road to my first NCAA game.
6. A three day, 800 mile, 3 state journey with Meddie Kalegi and Ryan Kendall to attend the WVIAC clinic (Friday/Saturday) followed by the Heartland clinic (Sunday). Who would have guessed that Cracker Barrel, road grime and the West Liberty campus would have created such a strong and lasting friendship between three football officials with similar dreams.
7. Jimmy Colwell priming the pump before each Mid-South game. Don’t ask…you just had to be there. Unforgettable nonetheless.
8. Being friended on Facebook by football officials in Germany, England and Australia after they read different posts on my blog. Connected by common interests across the globe. Simply amazed at the reach and power of the Internet. There are currently over 500 people actively following the book’s progress and over 1200 friends on FaceBook. Who woulda thunk it.
9. The first NCAA flag thrown for a dead ball, personal foul for a cheap shot away from the play (which happened to also be right at my feet). Thankful it was an easy call. Whew. Got that first out of the way.
10. Modeling officiating gear for www.Ump-Attire.com. I think I might need an agent next year.
11. Second game of the season. The debate that still exists around my airborne runner leaping towards the goal line from around the 5 yard line missing the pylon with the football who subsequently loses the ball into the end zone before he lands out of bounds where the ball (un-noticed by this Side Judge) rolls out of the end zone. (Yes that’s the way it happened)
Touchdown, Out at the 1yd line or Touchback?
My money is on Touchback but we shall let JJ decide. Then I want to see it on film. I called it Out at the 1 yard line but I think I got it wrong. There is quite a bit of beer riding on this one.
And finally, the friendships that were forged and I’m confident will accompany me through the final game of my career regardless of where it goes. Jim Jackson, in his interview, told me that what he cherished most were the 200 plus friendships that he had developed over the years due to his involvement in football officiating. I didn’t really get it then Mr. Jackson, but trust me, your words ring true today.
As always, if you are fortunate enough to experience post-season play,
Be the Best on the Field
Todd
WHAT???? I didn’t make the cut!!!!!! I guess the publisher cut me out..(o:
Comment by robert — November 17, 2009 at 12:09 pm