May/June 2022 - 56

and the role of education-based
athletics-it all adds up to a bundle
of advantages for a coach who
officiates.
But if you follow in the footsteps of
Leising, Morgan, and Isaacs, what's
in it for you, besides the satisfaction
of addressing a dire need? For
starters, you can make some money.
No, it's not going to make you
rich, but it's a good part-time job,
especially if it turns out that you
really enjoy it.
Officiating can also make you a
better teacher and coach. " It made
me a more patient coach, " Morgan
says. " It made me learn how to
handle situations better, and that
gives me a coaching advantage.
There's always a good way to talk
to officials, and I didn't really know
that until I became an official-what
approach was good, what was going
to help me get across what I wanted
to get across. "
" Teaching-wise, it's conflict
resolution, " he adds. " You're always
going to have conflicts as a teacher-
with students, with parents-and
I think the more practice you get
with that, the better you become. My
officiating experience made me better
at that aspect of teaching. "
You can also gain confidence
from officiating. After coaching
multiple sports for decades-and
while still coaching cross country-I
started umpiring baseball, and that
experience has made me a more
confident teacher and coach. In
staff meetings, for example, I have
found myself more willing to express
my opinions. When you regularly
displease half of the fans and
participants with every controversial
call, you learn to do what needs to
be done and not be oversensitive to
people's reactions.
Moreover, learning to manage
my body language-a crucial skill
in officiating-has enhanced my
effectiveness in dealing with people
off the field. For instance, I learned
from clinicians not to cross my
arms or put my hands on my hips
when dealing with upset coaches.
I also learned to slow down my
breathing in a tense situation. Those
are helpful tips to keep in mind in
any confrontation, whether in a
boardroom or a classroom.
I have also improved my active
listening skills. Coaches want to be
heard, and if you don't give them that
opportunity when they are upset,
there's going to be trouble. But if
you listen to them with attention and
respect and patience, you can often
de-escalate the situation. That works
in coaching and teaching as well.
If I had never made a dime from
my umpiring experience, it still
would have been worth it for the
interpersonal skills and confidence
I have gained. And when I factor in
the many great relationships I've
formed with my fellow umpires,
I consider my decision to join the
officiating community one of the
best I've ever made. If you try it, you
may think so, too.
#ADConf22
53RD NATIONAL
ATHLETIC DIRECTORS
SHOW
The ONLY national conference exclusively for high school athletic
administrators with more than 2,000 in attendance.
* Over 300 exhibit booth spaces and sponsorship opportunities available!
* Reach high school athletic directors - the decision-makers in the high
school athletic market.
* Advertising available in the NFHS High School Today and NIAAA
Interscholastic Athletic Administration magazines.
Gaylord Opryland Resort
& Convention Center
Nashville, Tennessee
December 11-12, 2022
Beth Ainbinder | NFHS
317-822-5749 | bainbinder@nfhs.org
For more information, please visit www.ADConference.org
Sherrice Dubose | NIAAA
317-587-1450, Ext. 2 | sdubose@niaaa.org
56 MAY/JUNE 2022
http://www.ADConference.org
May/June 2022

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