In this episode of "Human Side of the Game," a collaboration between Crown Refs and Officially Human, we shine a light on the personal journeys of six different officials from various levels. This series gives you an inside look at who these officials are beyond the court—exploring their hobbies, passions, and lives outside of officiating. Get to know the people behind the whistle as we share stories that show they are more than just officials. We hope you enjoy this deeper look into the...

This episode is another Crown Refs Community Collab as we introduce Mozelle from Corpus Christi, Texas, entering her second season as an official. We hear about her background, discussing her family's influence, especially her dad, a former referee considering a return to weekend tournaments to work with her. This episode highlights the importance of confidence, court presence, and effective communication for all officials. Important Topics Covered: -Leveraging family background in...

Welcome to this episode of Vincent's Verifications! Vincent Garrett, a hungry first-year official with many questions and a burning desire to learn the right way. Vincent's eagerness to grasp the nuances of the game is truly inspiring, and this episode promises to be a treasure trove of insights for officials at all levels.⁣ ⁣ In this engaging session, we cover a wide range of important topics based on Vincent's excellent questions. We discuss travels, loose ball plays, discerning contact,...

In this episode, we are thrilled to introduce Mikaiya, whose tenacity for growth and improvement has motivated her to pursue excellence in officiating. We were excited to meet her for the first time during this call, as she recently signed up for the Crown Refs 1-1 tier on Patreon. Mikaiya's dedication to enhancing her skills and knowledge is truly inspiring, and we are honored to be part of her journey. In this insightful session, Mikaiya delves into several important topics that are...

We are excited to welcome Brian Kenney, a wonderful human being with a rich and diverse background. Brian is a former Division I official, a current JUCO and high school assignor, a retired special education teacher, and the owner of a successful team-building company. Brian, who is also an author, discusses his latest book, "Figuring It Out: A Youth Guide to Navigating Life's Construction Curves," available on Amazon. The book delves into personal development and overcoming life's...

In this episode of the Crown Refs Podcast as we sit down with NCAA men’s official Clarence Armstrong. Clarence, a former standout basketball player and all-time leading scorer at ChiChester High School, went on to play four years at Drexel University before transitioning to officiating in 1999. Reaching the Division 1 level in 2008, Clarence now works in 13 conferences and has officiated in multiple NCAA tournaments. A proud father and dedicated mentor, Clarence shares his incredible journey...

In this insightful episode we welcome Duane Jourdeans, an expert in emotional intelligence and positive psychology, to explore the critical role of emotional intelligence (EI) in the realm of officiating and beyond.⁣ ⁣ Dwayne has spent 29 years in education, coaching, and consulting with organizations like the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Positive Coaching Alliance and more. He introduces the concept of EI, defining it as the ability to understand, manage, and utilize emotions effectively in...

In this episode of "Crown Refs," we sit down with Quincy Smith, a remarkable 15-year-old basketball official from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Quincy shares his journey into officiating, balancing his roles as a player in both basketball and football, and his aspirations to officiate at the college or professional level.⁣ ⁣ Quincy reflects on being inspired by young officials the impact of his mentors, who’ve helped connect him with the Minneapolis board. He talks about the challenges of starting...

In this milestone episode of The Crown Refs Podcast, we are thrilled to welcome world-class entrepreneur and best-selling author Gary Vaynerchuk. Gary, also known as Gary Vee, is a digital marketing pioneer, the CEO of VaynerMedia, and the creator of VaynerX. His influence extends beyond the business world, having authored five New York Times bestsellers, including "Crush It!" and "The Thank You Economy." As a highly sought-after public speaker, Gary shares his extensive knowledge and...

In this episode, we dive into enhancing communication with coaches and improving your confidence. Building on our prior material, we share updates to the Rapid Response Toolkit. The episode focuses on strategies for effective coach communication, maintaining court presence, and implementing rapid responses to manage unsporting behavior.⁣ ⁣ 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀:⁣ ⁣ 𝟭. 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀:⁣ •Build a timeline of coach comments, questions, and behavior.⁣ •Recognize the pattern of...

In this special episode, we take the listeners on a heartfelt journey as we reach out to eight officials to award them scholarships for the upcoming camp season. This episode is a testament to the commitment and passion that defines the Crown Refs community.⁣ ⁣ This episode blends humor, encouragement, and heartfelt recognition, capturing the essence of what it means to be part of the Crown Refs community. Our interactions are engaging and uplifting, making for an inspiring and entertaining...

This 1-on-1 training session part of the Crown Refs mentoring program provided numerous insights and tips for aspiring basketball officials. Here are some of the major takeaways:⁣ ⁣ ⁣ 1. 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀:⁣ ⁣ • The significance of participating in refereeing camps for personal and professional development was stressed. These camps are not only for learning but also for networking, receiving direct feedback, and possibly being noticed by scouts or higher league officials.⁣ ⁣ 2....

Ben Lampron, a dedicated basketball official with the Minneapolis Officials Association, is a 3rd-year official from Edina, MN. Beyond the court, he is the author of "Jumpstart Your Future," a book aimed at mentoring young professionals. Ben's approach to both his professional and officiating careers emphasizes the importance of active engagement, showing up for every possible learning opportunity, and the power of a strong start. He highlights the need for commitment, humility, and respect...

In this episode of the Crown Refs podcast, we feature Randy McCall, a seasoned Division I official since 1992 with an impressive track record across multiple conferences including the Mountain West, Pac 12, WAC, WCC, Big West, Big Sky, Big 12, and MVC. Randy's extensive experience includes NCAA Tournament appearances from 2001-2021, and six Final Fours, including the National Championships in 2004 and 2021. He was also honored as the 2014 Naismith Men’s College Official of the Year. ⁣ ⁣ In...

In this intriguing episode, we sit down with William Modeste, an extremely well-respected official with a career spanning over fifty years. We recorded our pregame and halftime interactions and brought you into our locker during a high school basketball game from the 2023-24 season. William shares his wealth of knowledge and experience as he narrates live game scenarios, and not only demonstrates his officiating acumen but also imparts critical lessons on making split-second decisions and...

This episode is a collaboration with 𝗦𝗠𝗕 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝘆, lead by all-world mentor, Sylvia Biggett. Sylvia is a dedicated and impactful mentor, deeply invested in the professional development and success of her mentees. She emphasizes the importance of mentoring not only for career advancement but also for personal growth, instilling values such as accountability, reliability, and trustworthiness. Sylvia's approach to mentoring is holistic, focusing on creating a stable foundation that...

Thank you for another great Signal School session as your positive energy and kindness are infectious. Next time I will be sure to record the gallery view rather than the speaker view but I'm sure you will still gain a ton of value from this session. Enjoy!⁣ ⁣ Thanks for watching Signal School 11! Here are some of the takeaways from our session:⁣ ⁣ 1. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆: Consistency in signal execution ensures clarity and prevents confusion among players, coaches, and spectators. Each...

Welcome to our new mentee series with Whitney Brown, a 3-year official from Richmond, VA. Whitney is part of the Crown Refs 1-1 membership tier on Patreon and in this session, we break down her regional NFHS playoff game from February 2024. We hope you enjoy!⁣ ⁣ 𝗧𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱:⁣ ⁣ -Detaching from Criticism⁣ -Knowing the Rules Inside Out⁣ -Staying Professional Under Pressure⁣ -Engage in Continous Learning⁣ -Game Management Techniques⁣ -Seeking Mentorship & Support⁣ -Reflecting on Every...

Thank you for your continued support of Crown Refs! Welcome to the 'Rapid Response Scenario Pack' — your go-to resource for developing the skill of game management and communication with coaches. This pack provides an array of carefully constructed scenarios that capture real-game interactions between coach and official. They're designed to sharpen your response prowess and enhance your game control. You are going to gain valuable insights into effective strategies and clear takeaways that...

In this compelling episode of the Crown Refs Podcast, we engage in a profound discussion on the critical role of communication and respect within the sports arena, spotlighting the relationship between referees, coaches, and players. Featuring insights from Greg Krauska, an esteemed team performance coach and the co-author of “Stronger United,” this dialogue illuminates the often underappreciated perspective of referees. The conversation traverses through the significance of role...

In this episode, we learn about the career and philosophy of Jason Phillips, a retired NBA referee with an extensive officiating background that spans over three decades. Starting his journey in junior high basketball, progressing through the ranks of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA), and culminating with 19 years of dedicated service in the NBA, Phillips shares his unique insights and experiences. ⁣ ⁣ His career also includes a pivotal role as the Vice President of Referee...

𝗧𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 ⁣ 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝟭: 𝗦𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲⁣ 1.1 Welcome to Episode 362: In the Paint with John McNeal - 0:00⁣ 1.2 The Philosophy of Officiating: A Deep Dive - 0:03⁣ ⁣ 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝟮: 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗶𝗻 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴⁣ 2.1 The Importance of Being Presentable - 0:20⁣ 2.2 Embracing the Details: The Mechanics Nerd - 0:53⁣ ⁣ 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝟯: 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀⁣ 3.1 The Art of Reposting for Visibility - 1:⁣23⁣ ⁣ 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝟰: 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀⁣ 4.1 Breakdown of an Offensive Foul - 2:24⁣ 4.2 Timing and...

Here are some topics that Grant and I discussed on our follow up IPR call:⁣ ⁣ 1. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: The significance of dedicating oneself to constant learning and improvement in officiating skills.⁣ ⁣ 2. 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: The value of receiving and processing feedback, including critique on specific actions and habits, to enhance officiating performance.⁣ ⁣ 3. 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹: The importance of paying attention to small details, such as the correct way to...

𝗞𝗲𝗻 𝗪𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲𝗼𝗻 𝗝𝗿.’𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗡𝗖𝗔𝗔 𝘁𝗼 𝗡𝗕𝗟⁣ ⁣ Ken Widgeon Jr.’s love for basketball was instilled at a young age. He inherited his passion from his father, who not only played but also refereed the game. This connection to the sport would later guide Widgeon Jr. down a similar path in the officiating world.⁣ ⁣ As a college basketball player at Mount Saint Vincent in New York, he saw an opportunity to stay connected to the game from a different angle by becoming a referee during the...