Being a ref is a tough gig.  Aside from earning 5 dollars a game, most aspects of refereeing are decidedly negative.  The ref gets yelled at by players on both teams, coaches, and angry people in the stands.  They are often the scapegoat for a loss, no matter how lopsided the score.  Sometimes players have valid grievances.  However, bad calls are made every game.

The players participating in intramural basketball this season have an overall negative view of the refereeing this season.  Josh Pitto, a junior participant in RecSports intramurals, says the refereeing this season is, "Bleepin' awful," Pitto continues, "they didn't make the right calls.  I never foul, and they called me for a foul."

While this is the prevailing attitude across many courts in the HPER and T-RECS buildings, some players disagree.  Mary Kauffman, junior participant in basketball intramurals, says the officiating, "was very fair." 

Players have differing opinions on the qualifying standards for intramural referees.  Pitto states, "They need at least 5 years experience playing basketball.  Experience is education."  Kauffman takes a more lax approach.  She says that referees need, "a written test, followed by a physical examination to make sure they can keep up with the athletes."

Kenny Quabner, intramural basketball referee, says that referees do in fact get educated, "We take a four day training program that basically goes through the fundamentals."  When asked what kind of qualifications are required, Quabner says that aspiring referees need to, "Just sign up."

The referee qualification system does help players bring up valid points.  Should referees have basketball experience?  Is it in the best interest of the players for anyone to be able to "just sign up?"  One thing remains true for both players and referees:  they must coexist!