By Rob Ficiur

Twenty-nine years as a teacher, 15 years (and counting) In Registered Education Savings Plans sales, and 41 years (and also counting) in refereeing basketball (jr. high, highsschool and college) and football adds up to one busy life for Redcliff’s Richard Schear.  
Richard first began reffing after his finished university.   During a high school basketball game, a call went against him.  The call was so incorrect according to the rules of the day that Richard thought to himself, “I can ref, because I know the rules better than this fellow.”
Richard continues reffing for three reasons.  First, he enjoys the camaraderie  with the other officials.  Second, it forces him to keep in good physical shape.  Third, being a referee in high school sports, gives Richard a chance to stay in touch with the sports and interact with the youth of today.  “By and large the youth who play high school sports are great kids. They will be the leaders of tomorrow.”
I thought that having at thick skin to filter out the rude comments from the fans was a requirement to be a referee.  Richard told me that he rarely hears those comments because he is focused on his responsibility on the court / field.  He added, “I am not flamboyant.  Being a ref is not about bringing attention to myself.  I am not in it for my fame.”  Schear believes the highest compliment a referee can get is when the coach of the losing team comes up and thanks him for reffing a game.
Football games are more challenging to officiate because of the weather.  Even when he comes to the game prepared for the elements, the weather in southern Alberta can change quickly.  During football games, the officials are farther away from the crowd and can rarely hear the “suggestions” that come from the stands.  Ironically more fans think they know the football rules than the basketball fans.
After 41 years of reffing Richard admits he has had a few unpleasant moments with coaches, players and fans.  One time, as a basketball ref, Richard “missed a call” which resulted in a player having a bloody nose.  Generally Richard’s response to these situations is to simply state “I don’t (can’t) see everything.”  On this one occasion the player with the bloody nose rubbed some blood on Richard emphasize his displeasure with the missed call.
Richard isn’t worried about himself when coaches, fans and players lose it and become miserable.  Instead he wonders what parents and coaches are teaching their youth when they berate the officials who are doing the best they can.  He quickly added, “Most schools are very good at thanking you and treating the referees with respect.”
Probably the best change in basketball rules over the last while (at least from a referee's point of view) is the alternating possession rule which eliminates the jump ball during the game. That has really helped to speed up the game.
When asked what is the most misunderstood rule by the fans, Richard said, “In basketball, most fans don’t the difference between a charge and a block.”  Fans should also know that there is no “over the back rule”.  The only thing the basketball ref is looking for is if the player made contact with the other player.
In football the pass interference rule is not understood by fans.  Pass interference is only called if the throw was a catchable ball.  It is also hard for fans to know that the offensive player might be the one causing the pass interference not the defensive player.
Over four decades some rules have been modified to change the games.  In years past a defensive football team would get the ball at the location of an offensive pass interference call.
In basketball the three point shot has changed the game.  I suggested that the game suffered because too many athletes tried the three point hope shots.  Richard disagreed.  He said that adding the three point shot has allowed non-inside players to be more active in the game.  The three point shot has made games closer as a losing team has more opportunities to make up deficits.
Richard has enjoyed his 41 years of reffing.  He hopes that young people take the time to learn the rules of the game and become referees.