Officials Pay Scale

[Wildcat Larry]

I don't know if this is a rude or offensive question to ask, but then that never stopped me before. ;)

Does anybody know what college officials make for calling a game? Do their expenses come out of what they are paid, or do conference pick up the tab for expenses? How about high school officials, what kind of a pay scale do they have? Do officials get different pay for experience .... like does it cost (whoever pays officials) more to get very experienced officials to call particular games?

Inquiring minds want to know.

[PeachtreeCat]

Hey Larry, I am not an official, but I have a source who is one here in GA.

He said his information is a few years old (4-5 years ago), but SEC officials use to make the following per game: $750 head official, $550-350 based on experience. They also got an amount for perdiem, travel, and hotel. Maybe lighthouse or others can update this.

High school officials get paid differently by state. Here is GA, it is $37.50 per game plus travel expenses (mileage only) - two games per night for boys and girls. They get quite a bit more for regional and state games. No difference here in pay for experience, but experienced officials would get the higher profile games. He has been told that the state of TX pays $75 per game in high school.

Are you looking for a new profession?

[lighthouse]

Give me a few days and I'll have an answer.

[lighthouse]

I did some research and here's what I have so far. Of course, the game fee depends on the level,conference, and experience. The major conferences don't like to disclose fees, but these amounts are close.

I'll start at the High School Level.

Varsity 2-man, $55; 3-man, $45. The fee goes upfor district, regional, and state tournaments. JV & Freshman, $30.

Div. II basketball, $200 plus some milage.

Div I basketball, from $500 to $800, plus milage or coach airfare and per-diem.

Div I football, from $800 to $1000, plus same extra's as basketball.

In basketball, some conferences are limiting officials to 3 games per week to keep them fresh.

I hope this helps and some of you will consider becoming officials. Considering how long an official is away from their famlie and regular jobs,you certainly don't want to make your decision because of the money.

[PsychoCat]

This article talks a little about pay and refs schedules

Imagine working 31 consecutive days without a break. It's only natural that you'd be exhausted, impatient and your performance would decline significantly.


That's exactly what Steve Welmer did earlier this year. But Welmer doesn't sit behind a desk in an office. He's a 56-year-old college referee who works for numerous leagues — including Conference USA, Big Ten and Big 12. He runs up and down the court for a couple hours per night and also has to deal with high-profile coaches often ranting and raving on the sidelines.

Welmer is a top-notch ref. He's considered one of the best in the business. However, there's also no arguing the fact that a month straight without a day off takes its toll — both physically and emotionally

"There's no way officials should work more than three games a week," Texas Tech coach Bob Knight said.
"The NCAA has hidden behind independent employment contractors and I think that's all (expletive deleted)," Knight added. "To have some 54 or 55-year-old referee work six times a week is a real disservice."


Curtis Shaw has had just four days off in the past month. You think there's a chance his tolerance level might have been a little low when he tossed mild-mannered UNC Greensboro star Kyle Hines, who had just one technical in his career, from the game on Tuesday night after handing him a trio of technicals?


Karl Hess was in Boston for North Carolina's 9 p.m. game at Boston College last Saturday night. The next day he was clad in stripes for a 4 p.m. start in Raleigh for N.C. State's home game against Virginia Tech. That's ridiculous, especially when you consider the game in Raleigh marked the seventh different state in which he'd called a game in the past nine nights.

These guys are so greedy, they end up trying to work these six games a week," Knight added. "They're not capable of doing it."

A source told FOXSports.com that each ACC referee receives anywhere from $1,600 to $2,600 for each game, depending on whether they fly or drive to games. Big East coordinator of officials Art Hyland confirmed those numbers are comparable for the Big East. That payment covers the game fee, travel expenses and a per diem for meals.


http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/6495276?MSNHPHCP&GT1=9131 (http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/6495276?MSNHPHCP&GT1=9131)

[lighthouse]

Here's something to consider. A typical day in the life of a referee who doesn't have a job.

They usually make their own travel arrangements, so they can control their time. College game last about 2 hours.Their game endsaround 9:30 to 10 PM. They shower get dressed and usually leave the arena about 45 minutes later. If they have a game the next night and they can get a flight out that night, they go to the airport. They can complete the game report on the plane or while they wait for the flight. Of course, if they can't leave until the next day, they eat a snack and go to bed.

They will eat a hearty breakfast the next morning, and either travel or rest at the next city. Normally they will eat a big lunch mid afternoon, and then get a nap. They have to be at the new arena 2 hours before game time. 2 hours later, they go through the same procedure. Plenty of time and rest between games, but the travel can become a burden.

The most I worked was 7 games in 6 days. 4 college and 3 high school. I had a semi-final in the boys LIT tournament on Saturday AM, and then drove to The University of Southern Indiana for a men's college game that night. I had no physical problems, but I was really glad to have Sunday off.