Referee

By Clifford J. Bailey

A friend and former basketball player who I REFEREEd when he was in high school, is now a videographer and one of his clients is a popular magazine in Chicago. I hired him to video two anniversary events for a breakfast networking group where I am the President.

In addition to stories on business owners, he's produced video stories on ent

• Language: English
• Publisher: CABKO Publishing
• Release date: Jul 21, 2021
• ISBN: 9781087955629

Clifford J. Bailey

Over time, there have been various definitions used to describe a "Role Model". Most real role models don't see themselves as such. They set out to make a difference in people's lives and before we know it, they are categorized as role models. Very few people see themselves or call themselves role models even if they are truly doing the dedicated work they are committed to. In fact, the title role model is usually thrust on a deserving person versus a title given to oneself. Often when asked if they consider themselves to be a role model, most people will humbly say they don't consider themselves as such. It gets even more complicated when you try to get a role model to consider rather or not they are a "Hero". It doesn't take a lot of research to conclude that one can be a hero without being a role model, but one can't be a role model without being hero. This may sound subjective, but all one has to do is look at the life's work of Clifford Bailey. If you are not aware of the details of Mr. Bailey's life, once you've had a chance to read this book, you will be convinced that he has lived the life of a role model and as a result he is a hero to most, if not everyone, who has encountered him.

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

MOTIVATION FOR WRITING THIS BOOK

A friend and former basketball player who I REFEREEd when he was in high school, is now a videographer and one of his clients is a popular magazine in Chicago. I hired him to video two anniversary events for a breakfast networking group where I am the President.

In addition to stories on business owners, he’s produced video stories on entertainers and other people whose stories you should know. He’s also done stories on local basketball stars. Specifically those who rose from the playgrounds to college and to the pro level.

Before they left the city for college, these basketball stars had a proverbial Pass that allowed them protected access to play in many neighborhoods without threat of any violence towards them. Never once mentioned or even thought of is the fact that wherever these players played with Passes, there were at least two REFEREEs on that game. I called my friend and suggested, and he thought it a good idea, that he do a story about REFEREEs. He asked me to pull together some information and thoughts. Following are my initial thoughts on the Pass. Along with the video story, now I’ll be published. Imagine that!

The

Pass

In cities across the country where basketball has produced many talents at many levels (AAU, high school, college and pro), there was/is an unwritten thing called a Pass, no pun intended. This Pass allows these talented players/stars to compete in leagues and tournaments in many neighborhoods in that city. This Pass supposedly also protected these players from any harm (gangs, drugs, knives, guns, beat downs, etc.) that they would endure be it not for their star status. To prove themselves, other unknown players would want to compete against these stars to possibly increase their status and reputation in the neighborhood. So protection for the incoming stars/Passes was ensured.

In addition to bragging rights, other things were on the line to win these games including big money bets. To improve their chances to win, The neighbor guys recruited some of these stars to play on their teams.

As these stars rise out of the city/ghetto hopefully to Division One college and maybe to the professional ranks, benefits to The recruiters could include personal association with these stars, front row seats at games, hob knobbing with the rich and famous, etc. Benefits to these stars can include family financial and personal security and a whole bunch of other stuff that we’ll never know.

Articles, videos and even movies have been produced sharing the paths, travels, lives, benefits, and consequences of the Pass. This Pass covered most sports but most of these stories surround the sport of basketball.

With all of these players, cities, tournaments, and careers mentioned, not one mentions anything about the REFEREEs. And the REFEREEs didn’t have a Pass. Every game that these stars played where they had or needed a Pass, there were at least two REFEREEs.

Something needs to be said about the brave souls who REFEREEd without a Pass. We had to (no pun intended) earn our stripes! Some refs eventually were protected by the neighborhood shot callers. Even then, a young, unknown REFEREE couldn’t take that chance but many of us did! Although family and other relationships watched our backs, REFEREEs were severely outnumbered. The cost of a perceived bad or untimely call would be a lot to pay, personally.

REFEREEs are always the bad guys. It is also perceived that when one (male or female) puts on a REFEREE shirt that they are a punk, can and will accept being treated as such. WRONG!

REFEREEs are more brave than players. Two maybe three REFEREEs against an entire gym…. That’s brave! Scared? Yes. But respect had to be earned especially by the REFEREEs. Not only does a REFEREE have to know game rules, REFEREEs better know the rules of the streets.

If a player misses a game winning free throw or makes an untimely turnover, (with or without a Pass) the coaches and fans say a curse word, accept the loss and move on. But REFEREEs pay a different price and are forever blamed, hated, remembered, gotten into fights, and even been beat up.

REFEREEs deserve much more credit and respect than given. We spend a lot of time and money attending camps to better our craft to become good officials to hopefully be considered to REFEREE the Pass games and at the same time grow our officiating careers in high school and maybe to the college and professional levels.

The Pass relates more to the neighborhood tournaments and leagues. In high school, college and at the professional level, more and different relationships are involved, for players and REFEREEs alike. Sharing about the challenges that players with and without a Pass go through IS a story. Being a REFEREE as it relates to the Pass IS ALSO a story that needs to be told, understood, believed, and accepted. Or not.

NOTES ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Over time, there have been various definitions used to describe a Role Model. Most real role models don’t see themselves as such. They set out to make a difference in people’s lives and before we know it, they are categorized as role models. Very few people see themselves or call themselves role models even if they are truly doing the dedicated work they are committed to. In fact, the title role model is usually thrust on a deserving person versus a title given to oneself. Often when asked if they consider themselves to be a role model, most people will humbly say they don’t consider themselves as such.

It gets even more complicated when you try to get a role model to consider rather or not they are a Hero. It doesn’t take a lot of research to conclude that one can be a hero without being a role model, but one can’t be a role model without being hero. This may sound subjective, but all one has to do is look at the life’s work