Refs cry foul over pay
Check out the above link to the story in the Detroit News concerning the high school officials complaining about not receiving enough pay.
I did some quick calculating about how many miles an official would have to travel to actually LOSE money when officiating a high school basketball game. According to www.michigangasprices.com the average price for a gallon of gas in the State of Michigan today is $3.13. Also, the current CAFE miles per gallon rating for vehicles is 25 miles per gallon. If an official is receiving $50 to officiate a game, that person would have to make a round trip of 399 miles to actually LOSE money. Okay, lets be a little more reasonable, assume their vehicle is only getting 15 miles per gallon. The official would still have to travel 239 miles to LOSE money.
I was an official for about 6 years after high school. I needed the extra money, and it was a great way to stay in shape during the winter months. The farthest I remember driving on one night was 100 miles. Gas prices have risen since then, but these guys/ladies are not losing money. They are just not making as much money as they once were. This is a ridiculous attempt at trying to extort extra money from already cash strapped schools. If they do have a single night walk-out or "strike" I would hope the MHSAA takes a stand and does not let the officials operate another high school game in the State of Michigan.
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I think their beef is with the fact that officials in other areas of the state are getting more money per game. Yes, I am sure you have to have love for the game to officiate any sport, but it is also a second job for most to make some extra money and with the price of gas going up they are making a lot less than they use to.
With all the heckling and yelling they have to listen to I do not blame them for wanting a little more money.
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