FRC Blog - It Wasn’t Against the Rules

[Marc P.]

I usually try to stay quiet in discussions like this, but I feel the need to address this:

Originally Posted by Kevin Sevcik

The only fix is to address things with said person and replace them if they can't perform the task.

If replacing them is that easy, take on the roll of volunteer coordinator and do it. See how easy it is. Referee roles are the most difficult to fill because of the demands placed on people in that position, this year more than any other. Each year there has always been a shortage of people signed up to referee, typically because not many people volunteering their time want that level of responsibility. It's very much a thankless job, when every call and action/inaction is subject to the scrutiny of potentially thousands of people.

It usually takes weeks of active searching and solicitation to recruit the base number of refs just to make the event happen. I'm not saying that justifies mistakes being made, but if the alternative is an untrained reallocated field reset person to act as a warm body to fill the role, or at worst, no one at all to hit End Cycle, how is that any better?

To the most critical people, all I can say is step up, volunteer, and prove you can do better.