Travelin' Ref

[3rdPersonPlural]

A lot of refs travel a lot for work and I suspect that many of us would just as soon take a Saturday stay-over if we could work a game. Another place, another group of guys, another experience, you know?

I know for a fact that my assigner would be delighted if he heard from a qualified official from another district who would be on the Central Coast and would bring whistle and flags if he could get assigned a game. We're always wrestling with numbers, and I calculate that most assigners are as well.

The logistics of this elude me, however. If I knew I'd be somewhere in 2 months, how would I find out who to contact and what would I say?

[coaches gal]

In the Texas area you probably would contact the SWLOA [www.swloa.org I think] and let them know you're coming, where and the dates. The head guy would probably put you in touch with the assignor for the area.

Just let them know you'll be in the area and would like to ref a game or 2 while you're there, send your credentials and maybe your assignor's info for any questions.

I know Houston would be happy to have you, and I know at least 1 ref in our area travels to Boston to visit family and ref's while he's there.

[LaxRef]

We're trying to put together a list of LOAs that we could publish on the USL website for just this purpose. However, the info gets stale so quickly it's hard to do.

[stripes182]

3PP, if you're promising ocean-side games and the "scenery" you've mentioned in your previous posts, sign me up! Moving to New England has convinced me that I could use a warm weather escape during the colder months. If I can justify the cost of my plane ticket, lodging and food/beverages, I'd travel almost anywhere. That offer stands, and I welcome PM's with offers and more info.

[BlueJaysLaxFan]

I already have a standing invite from 3PP as well, and as soon as I can I will take advantage of it. I used to stay in San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach on long term business trips years ago (before the developers invaded!), and it was FANTASTIC! Central Coast wines pouring freely at happy hour, Thursday night farmers market with a lot of great people watching, beautiful coastal weather, wonderful California dining, interesting landmarks such as the Madonna Inn, and beautiful Pacific sunsets. With an opportunity to officiate a few lax games too, I'm definitely there as soon as I can figure out how and when! Compared to the game I officiated last Spring on the Wednesday before the Easter break when the game was being played in horizontally-blowing snow, I'll take mountain cattle at the endlines over that!

Just don't tell my assigner that I blocked my calendar for this!

[PlayOn]

If any of you want to try to ref your way up the west coast we need some stripes in LA. I pulled this from the US Lacrosse website but this is the division I work within. As you can see by this letter, if you're on this site, you're already more than welcome to come and even stay as long as you like.

The Pacific Coast Lacrosse Officials Association is still looking for some new officials. The explosive growth of the sport in the Los Angeles area - from the South Bay to the San Fernando Valley - has left us with a shortage of trained officials to cover both high school and middle school games. If you are a former player and want to reconnect with the sport, a referee in another sport who wants to add lacrosse to your resume or just someone who wants to learn how to officiate this fast paced sport and get paid at the same time, please send us your phone and e-mail contact information and a brief summary of your lacrosse or officiating experience to laxrefs@verizon.net. Please act quickly so that we can complete training in time for the 2008 spring season.

[DanHS]

If you are in the DC area then please let me know. There are several associations covering the DC/Maryland/Virginia area and I may be able to put you in touch with the right association. virtualprg@aol.com
or PM

[CardinalPuff]

have whistle, will travel

[Woodenstick]

If you are in the DC area then please let me know. There are several associations covering the DC/Maryland/Virginia area and I may be able to put you in touch with the right association. virtualprg@aol.com
or PM

Some areas have multiple associations in a relatively small area. Another example is lower NY/northern NJ/Connecticut. For referees who live in one association's territory and work in another, it would be likely be convienent to work games in more than one territory, for example, weekends do games where you live, weekdays where you work. Is this commonly done? I know I have not been able to pull it off.

[Rileylax]

Use the US Lax site for assignors for whatever district you may be traveling to (for college games). I've done that in the past and will do it this season. This is particularly true if you're outside of a major metro area. The Baltimore/DC/MD/Northern VA area is "fat" with talented officials and it would be almost impossible to pick up a game. NJ/NY and BOS is similar. HS is a hit-or miss. Dan H did say there are two associations in the DC/MD/VA area and they compete against each other...some officials work both associations. Although there is a shortage on the HS level you might get lucky with plenty of advanced notice. Be careful on getting paid...one is historically poor at prompt payment.

West Coast and Midwest offer more opportunity. MCLL officials apear to be in demand. Good luck!

[DanHS]

There is a need for new and experienced officials in the Northern Virginia area. I am not sure how we would work out the arrangements for 'traveling refs' but we can try. If you are interested send me a PM.