Spencer Crum– My name is Spencer Crum and I’m the proud president of the North Bay Officials Organization (the Sonoma County football refs) and also ironically the proud parent of two Petaluma High School students. Yes, this loss and poor call (actually this and the Analy call) hurts me as well so I understand your anger and frustration.
I was at the game last night as a Petaluma parent. I have also officiated high school football for 18 years and trust me, I’ve had my share of bad calls. We all do at one time or another. Let me set some things straight. Our organization has 80 officials locally and we are about 20 people short of getting all the games covered.
We provide the best possible training to all our officials utilizing all the current technology available. We have 4 training meetings, 3 study groups, take 4 tests every year and get evaluated on every game. Our local officials do a tremendous job a good majority of the time.
On the playoffs we have mixed crews. Last night we had 5 officials from 3 different officiating organizations who have never met each other prior. The official who ruled on this call was not a Sonoma County official. Prior to that inexplicable call there were no issues with the officiating.
It was a very normal game. For some reason the covering official wasn’t paying attention or got it wrong somehow and ruled the runner down so while the ball was loose he blew the whistle. The 4 other officials disagreed so we have the rule of inadvertent whistle during a loose ball which gave the ball back to Rancho.
Yes he made a mistake, yes he is upset over his mistake, no we don’t do it for the money, yes we all lost a lot of sleep over this, yes it is being addressed in the officiating world, no we cannot change it, yes we are disappointed in the call, yes we all want to get the call right, yes unfortunately we will get it wrong again, yes we are all human beings and yes as an official and Petaluma HS parent I feel equally as bad as all of you.
Hopefully I answered your questions and yes, I look forward to meeting many of you in late July at the first training meeting. If you want anything else answered you can send me a respectful private message. I won’t answer any bashing sessions as I know the call was wrong and I am sorry.
Comment From The Head of The Officials Association About The Fumble
Nicely done, Mr. Crum. One comment from a fan with no association with either team involved: I understand that the whistle killed the play, and that once the play is dead it needs to stay dead, but it would be nice in this kind of situation if officials had the choice to let the action up to that moment stand, if in their judgement that was the most fair result. In other words, don't automatically revert the beginning of the play, but give them the ability to accept the result of the play when the whistle was blown.
Hey. …all you can do is own it…
Class act! Thank you Spencer.
Good work, thanks for the job you do and the value it provides the schools, athletic programs, athletes and their families.
Spencer, I have great respect for you and the manner you carry yourself on the field. Your letter clearly articulates the high standards and requirements to referee at the high school level. While I do not always agree with the calls, I know your staff is doing the best they can do and will rely on their peers for assistance. Much respect Spencer Crum!
Thank you.
Well said Amigo. Well said.
Thank you, you would think with all the video cameras at all these games that there would be some type of review set up in important games, ie.,championships,ncs. So we don't have to wait until the next day to see it on social media what we already knew the night before and the true winners could celebrate there victory with a clear concise and the refs and fans can sleep at night.bring on instant replay,there is no cost to the league since the video cameras are all over the field.
As a Petaluma High parent and mom of quarterback #5, I appreciate your comment, I am so proud of our coaching staff and players, mistakes do happen, and it's nice to see that you owned it