A good guy and a good ref

 Just learned from a Facebook friend that Dick Budd died last week.  

Dick was one of the better local referees in South Jersey back when my kids were playing.  I knew Dick was an optician by trade but did not know he was an Army veteran who served in Korea (as I did) and a Rotarian as my father was.

As a coach or parent you were always happy to see Dick Budd referee your game.  Not only was he a nice guy, he knew the Laws Of The Game, was fair and hustled.  It didn't hurt that he had a sense of humor.  In one game we ran a trick play on a free kick where one of our girls stepped over the ball without touching it, causing the other team to encroach - which should have given us another free kick which we would have used for a quick restart.   Dick missed the stepover and did not call the encroachment, causing howls from the parents.  Instead of getting upset, he just shrugged and said, "What can I say?  I blew it."  Heckling became laughter and earned respect.

Dick's obituary is here:  

Progress: First Woman Referee In The Bundesliga

Saturday's New York Times carried the story of Bibiana Steinhaus, the first woman to referee in the German Bundesliga.   Good for her and good for the sport.  No reason a woman who is qualified cannot officiate in the Bundesliga or any other top league.  Are you listening MLS?

Steinhaus seems pretty cool - serious about the job, worked hard to get where she is but still a bit in awe.  “This is the freaking Bundesliga! This is cool!" she is quoted as saying.

Maybe in the not too distant future having a woman working top games in any sport will no longer be news.

Mexican Refs Walk

Referees in Mexico refused to officiate games in the top division last weekend, protesting what they said was light punishment of two players who assaulted officials.  As reported in the New York Times, one player shoved a ref after a red card and another from a different team head-butted an official.  The referees reported both players for “aggression,” which could have led to yearlong suspensions. But the league’s disciplinary committee issued eight- and 10-match suspensions for the lesser offense of “attempted aggression.”  The Times said refs showed up for a match Friday but refused to take the field so the game was not played.  Matches on Saturday and Sunday also were not played.

Utah referee dies after assault by youth

What else can be said?   A 17-year old goalie punched a referee during a game in Utah and a week later the ref died.  Associated Press report here.