umours of my death being greatly exaggerated, I recently attended a certification clinic for another sport I officiate. The sport, while not exactly one of the big four — perhaps not one of the big 24 — is growing, needs more and better-trained officials, and is organized enough to provide them.

The clinic I attended was a full three days, and I do mean full. We started at 8 a.m. Saturday, ran a full 12 hours with a half-hour for an on-site lunch, and it was that way for three days. In the few waking, off-class hours we had, attendees were studying for an exam that had a 90-per-cent pass mark Sunday morning. The exam had multiple choice questions and essay questions and was augmented by an oral exam and not one but two practical exams.

Continued...