Preach

It has truly been a pleasure officiating for Coach Sigler over the years. His professionalism and integrity in the game of high school basketball were evident every time his team stepped on the court. What set him apart was not just his knowledge of the game, but the respect he consistently showed to officials—even in moments where a call was questionable, he never tried to embarrass or demean. He addressed concerns with composure and always maintained the standard of respect. Coach Sigler also went above and beyond by allowing me to come speak to his team on multiple occasions, giving insight on officiating and teaching the do’s and don’ts from a referee’s perspective. That openness to educate and bridge the gap between coaches, players, and officials is a rare and appreciated quality. Wishing Coach Sigler a happy and well-deserved retirement. Your legacy of leadership, character, and respect will continue to influence the game and those who play it for years to come.

I get it!! I was once in your shoes. I was that person in the stands, loudly complaining about “bad officiating.” Now, with the rise of social media, it’s easier than ever to voice these criticisms online. I thought I could see every call better than the officials on the floor. Then someone said to me, “If you can do better, get in the game.” That challenge changed my life. Over 20 years ago, I became a basketball official, and what I’ve learned since then is eye-opening. Officiating is not just about making calls. It’s about managing the game, the players, the coaches, and yes, the fans. We face a new generation of student-athletes who have been raised in a culture where everyone gets a trophy and losing is almost taboo. We deal with fans who question our integrity and sometimes become outright hostile. I acknowledge that officials aren’t perfect; we have off days just like anyone else. However, the increasing hostility from fans is driving many to leave officiating. According to the National Federation of High School Associations, approximately 50,000 high school officials have left the profession since the 2018-19 season, with fan behavior being a significant factor. Here’s the reality: without officials, there is no game. So, instead of tearing down the people who make your games possible, here’s a suggestion: • Thank the officials for being part of the game. • Thank them for the countless hours they spend studying rules, mastering mechanics, and working to improve. • Thank them for their patience with privilege-minded athletes and overly aggressive fans. Next time you see an official, instead of criticizing, take a moment to say, “Thank you.” They’re out there to make the game happen, and trust me, it’s not as easy as it looks from the stands. If you think you can do better, take the challenge like I did. Get in the game. You might just discover how much it takes to blow that whistle.

Do you love basketball? Do you want to be more than just a fan in the stands? It's time to get in on the action and become a basketball official!

Long time official Mickey Guidry passed away on last week. Please keep Mickey’s family in your prayers. Arrangement are: Viewing/Wake Thursday, May 16 from 12:00pm to 5:00pm at Mercy Funeral Home Friday, May 17 at 11:00 am Scott Olive Baptist Church. The church location is 1050 Ewing St, Beaumont, TX 77701