I read the threads last week and don't know the details but it sounds like it was a hot match, If a wrestler's dad was actually reffing it(was he really?) I can only assume that the association felt he was the most capable ref available for a high level, hot dual; regardless of family involvement. Most refs officiate with no bias. I have reffed my own son in a few USAW matches years ago so they didn't have to hold up the tournament to shut down my mat for me to go watch him. They just came over to my mat and the opponents coach was cool with it as they knew I am fully capable of reffing with no bias, regardless of who is on the mat. They also were pretty sure we all knew the probable outcome, and a techfall was the ultimate end result. I will, admit I wouldn't have reffed any of his matches if the outcome was in doubt, and I only did it 2-3 times. I also avoid reffing any high school duals with the team he now coaches and stay out of his division in the postseason. If possible you want to avoid anything that looks like a conflict of interests, even if the ref is fully capable of being unbiased.
I also remember reffing a couple of 3X'ers wrestling in an exhibition match at freestyle state open division years ago. The head official specifically requested me to ref the match as he felt I was most qualified, even though I was very good friends with one of the wrestlers and his family (we still are). I told the opponent's dad of my relationship and he said that didn't matter. He said I was the guy they wanted reffing this match because they knew it would be hot and close, and it was. It was tied in the third round with about 10 seconds to go and I didn't want it to end with a weird OBB line call or an overtime clinch. Fortunately one of the wrestlers got a clean take down with about 5 seconds to spare to keep me out of any close calls to end the match. I remember that match vividly, 10+ years later.
Responses
« Back to index | View thread »