Ben Grant
Staff Reporter
As the sun rises over McDaniel campus, weary students stir. Still bleary-eyed after a late night of studying or partying, they emerge from their covers to face the day. Many are thinking of the next class or social event, but some students are preparing for a day with an extra responsibility: they are a part of the work-study force.
Freshman Zack Rickman does not work in a peaceful library or an office answering telephones. When he reports for duty, Rickman will be facing bouncing balls, flying pucks, flailing bodies and possibly hot tempers. Rickman is an intramural sports referee.
“The funniest thing that ever happened to me was also the scariest, when a hockey puck was deflected right at my face during a game,” Rickman recalls.
Rickman went to high school in Towson, Maryland where he played in the outfield for his baseball team. He enjoys watching baseball as much as playing it.
Rickman didn’t feel he was good enough to play baseball in college, but wanted to continue to have sports as part of his daily life. When he searched the list of available jobs to meet his financial aid requirement of work-study, he was intrigued by the opening for intramural ref.
“Once I saw intramural sports ref, I knew the job was for me,” he says. “I applied and got the job without even knowing what sports I would have to ref. I assumed just softball, because it is similar to baseball, and maybe basketball, because I have played that.”
As it turned out, Rickman found himself refereeing intramural football and outdoor soccer in the fall, basketball and hockey in the winter, and softball, volleyball and indoor soccer in the spring.
Rickman also participates in intramural basketball. This year his team made it into the second round of the playoffs before losing.
“He is a decent player, has a nice all-around game and clearly understands the game of basketball. But if he would stop playing and just ref, then I wouldn’t have to ref his games,” laughs Jimmy Gibbons, a fellow freshman referee.
“I worked soccer, basketball and football games with Zack so far, “Gibbons says. “Some refs figure that because it is only intramurals the games don’t really matter, but Zack always paid attention and got the call right.”
Asked if he ever missed a call, Rickman says, “I have never missed a call that would have affected the outcome of a game. I may miss a small foul or something, but no one is perfect. I can only call what I see.”
Freshman Dan Lamond, a soccer player, recalls an instance where “I went in for a loose ball and I got elbowed pretty hard in the nose… It turned out my nose was broken. I feel if my nose was broken, then I was probably fouled. I realize it wasn’t his fault and every other game I think Zack did a fine job. But my nose was broken. Calling a foul was the least he could do.”
When asked about this event, Rickman answers, “The ball was kicked downfield and so I followed the ball. I did not see Dan get elbowed. It is unfortunate it happened that way, but that’s part of refereeing. You can’t see everything.”
“He handled the situation as best as can be expected; he stopped the game and got Dan to the sidelines, which is why we have referees for soccer and football,” says Scott Singleton, head of intramural sports.
“The other sports aren’t really contact, so the refs don’t do much besides set up the equipment and make sure the right teams play each other. But in this situation it was good we had referees who could step in and handle the situation. I have seen Zack ref a few football games and he did a fine job. I expect to see him again next year.”
When Rickman was asked if he would do the job next year, he responds, “In a second!” He continues, “I get to work a lot of games and make a lot of money, which is very nice. It is also a great way to meet other students who like sports. It is just a great job and I am shocked more people don’t do it.”
