Expert: Thom Brooks - 10/11/2009

Question
How are referees chosen for NCAA football games?

Answer
Rick, hello!

Many factors are considered but I've attached some websites for you to explore.  The best crew available gets the best games, but the NCAA has high standards.  So, most of the Div I officials come with high quality results and great experience.  They make hundreds of calls correctly but TV only shows the ones they officials screw up.  I'm still in disagreement with the official that called Unsportsmanlike against the Georgia Bulldogs two weeks ago that resulted in the Dawgs kicking off from the 15 yard line, giving LSU an advantage.  I know what the rules say, but there was no exaggerated "Drawing attention to one self" display that most witnessed.

I hear things said on a football field but will talk to the players before throwing a flag on a play such as that.  If the man scores and shows enthusiasm, there is no penalty.  If he tries to embarrass the opponent, then he needs to be penalized.  

I officiated 5 games this week, four of them at under age 10.  I saw a lot of reasons to throw the flags, but refrained.  In college, those players are constantly taught to avoid those kind of incidents that could allow the official to make a judgement call.  So, the players know better.  They're still young men that lose focus.




Take Care,

Thom Brooks
BrooksInsuranceSchool.com

Please review the following websites. The first one is my youngest son's band!

Listen2Three.com


Official Web Site of the NCAA

Football Championships Administration

ncaa.org/library/rules/2006/2006_football_rules.pdf



   
REFEREE, the Magazine for Sports Officials


National Association of Sports Officials