A few weeks ago I sat down with Doug Costain, OVAC Commissioner for basketball. What does the commissioner do? Along with Don Giffin and Bryan Gaus, Doug’s team schedule all officials for basketball games played inside the OVAC. Seams easy, well when you figure in the OVAC there are 51 schools and all most all have both girls and boys basketball teams. That include 5th and 6th grade. 7th and 8th grade teams JV and varsity. Figure each of the varsity boys and girls and JV have an average of twenty games in a typical season throwing the lower teams and you have an enormous responsibility to schedule over 1000 games a season. High school basketball games are played every night of the week from the end of December through the end of February. Then the play offs come along.

No matter how you figure it, there is daunting amount of games to officiate each season? In conversation with Commissioner Costain, I asked if shortage of officials has always been a problem. He indicated that he has been working the floor for 36 years. He doesn’t believe in those early days it was as much of a challenged to fill the needs of the sports. But he indicated in the last few years it seems that finding officials is a challenge. He has notice since he took over the commissioner’s position, that there is shortage especially in finding officials for the lower grade teams.

This year many games for 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade teams have been canceled for lack of officials to work the games. Doug pointed out that not only is it important these young people get to play and develop skills as they grow older. It is missed opportunities for younger officials to get the experienced needed to call varsity and eventually tournament play.

The OVAC has begun a program where they set up a stand at sporting events and talk with young people encouraging them to be part of future officiating team. Doug explained, “A student at West Liberty or other local college could pick up extra money to officiate games.” To officiate a lower grade game, officials are paid $40.00. If they are scheduled in the area of their school, they can pick up two maybe three games a week. He gave the example that if three OVAC schools such as New Martinsville, River and Paden City were to have games tonight. It is difficult to get officials to drive an hour to officiate one of the games. But if in this area someone going to Northern wanted to make some money. The opportunity is there.

Under Commissioner Costain’s leadership, they have worked to make the requirements to officiate easier to achieve. At one time thirty hours of class room studies were necessary. Trainees would come together and work on the rules and regulation for the game. Today with online training and visual aids, trainees can gain much of their study with in their own schedule. About ten hours are necessary to work collectively in gaining knowledge of the rules and regulations.

If you have a desire to become an OVAC Official, go to the OVAC web site. In the upper right corner is an icon of an image of an official with his arms out reached. Click on it and you will be on your way to the adventure of your life.

Doug began his career 36 years ago traveling down to River in a borrowed car. During those early years he work mostly JV games. At age 19 he was given the opportunity to officiate at a women’s college, Division 1 Mid-America Conference G-League. Because of his love of working with other professionals and guiding teams, he has risen through the ranks and still does occasional Division 1 Basketball. A few years ago he figure it was time to hang up his whistle and retire. At that point he was asked to officiate the AAA State Championship game on Wheedling Island. That led to him being asked to become the Basketball Commissioner, which he took on. He also told me that a couple months ago he went back into officiating basketball. In fact the day we spoke, he was on his way to Concord College to call a game that night. Three and a half hours away.

I asked, when did he see the need for referees begin to become more immediate and why has the need increased. He explained at the present, the OVAC training program has 16 officials in their training program. Six of those have worked games. He paused as he told me of one young man who a couple years ago on his first night had to remove a fan from the stands. He went on to tell me that problems like this are not uncommon, but can be difficult for a new official.

Doug explained that referees need to know the rules and regulations, but they must also know the coaches and fans. He pointed out that if a coach tells him he missed a call. He tells the coach, “I didn’t see it, but I will keep an eye open.” There are some coaches that cry wolf every game. You just learn those coaches over the years.

A guy named Jack Ramsey once told Doug, “Son, a coach needs to figure out if they are going to coach their team, or worry about the calls of the referees. I share that story with all my new referees. One side of the gym feels like you are favoring the other side. The other side figures you are favoring the other team. It is part of the game.”

The OVAC program teaches that the philosophy of the game is important and how as officials we are perceived. When I come into the site of the game, both coaches see me and they know how I am going to call a game. Am I going to let them play, am I going to call it tight? We want consistency in the game. That means called the same on both ends. But it also means they know we will be consistent in the game we called tonight and next week.

Basketball is a contact sport. We want the play to start, develop and finish. We call that SPW, Start, play, whistle. Our responsibility is to call when one team takes advantage or puts the other team at a disadvantage. At that point we will use our whistle. Basketball is a contact sport, not a collision sport. Officials watch the part of the game no one else watches, the defensive players. Everyone is watching the ball… we are watching the defense. The defense will always tell you if they established legal position on a charge.

I asked, where the game is going. Doug: “I don’t think the trend is positive. If things donát change, there will be more double headers in the future. More games will have to be cancelled or postponed. We are trying to recruit from schools hoping to help increase referees inside the OVAC. Our goal is also keep officials inside our conference and not going elsewhere.”

Wanting to know the future of high school sports, I asked if he believes school consolidation and athlete’s ability to transfer to other schools will have an impact. I referred to a WV Senate Bill that would allow students to transfer without having to sit out a year of eligibility. He told me he believes it will have some influence, but not sure how much. He also pointed out that up and down the valley, bill boards are advertising for student to transfer for academics and sports. Change is coming.

Commissioner Doug Costain has dedicated his life to officiating. From the age of 17 up till today he has worked hard to make the game fair and safe. He has also strived to pass that onto younger generations. As I listen to him speak of the philosophy of the game, there was one inference to a dark side of sports he touched on repeatedly. I am not sure he even realized his occasional references. It was the pressure on referees from a few fans.

The men and women who take on these officiating jobs do it because they love being part of opportunities for young people to learn sportsmanship and grow as adults. The compensation is good and the opportunity to work with other professionals is there. But the world has changed and the individuals who fail to realize that should be thanking these officials instead of berating them. The next time you go to a ball game and the officials come onto the floor, stand up and give them an ovation thanking them for their professionalism and dedication to our youth sports programs. Without them gymnasiums all over the valley will go quiet.