Conversation With The Ref

If you are an avid sports fan, which I'm sure you are since you are reading this blog- you have given a referee, umpire, maybe even a Code enforcement officer a piece of your mind regarding your opinion on a call that they made. What you may not realize is that not all of them are blind, easily swayed by the home team pawns who are just out there to blow whistles and take our attention away from the teams and put it on the people wearing the stripes or blue.

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with one of the best officials in the nation, who just happens to live right here in Kingfisher, OK. Brandon Friesen has been officiating high school football for 22 years, 14 years of college football, 20 years of baseball and 6 years of basketball. If there's anyone who knows the right and wrong way to call a game, it's this guy.

On Saturday, December 17, Brandon officiated his second national championship Division II football game. They don't just go down to the Casey's to pick out the refs for this game folks. He and his crew have been graded on his performance throughout the year and much like Ferris State and Colorado School of the Mines, only the best get to be in the biggest and last game of the year.

Here is how the conversation went:

El Commish: Brandon, I appreciate your time. I know you've been very busy this year and I'm sure your wife and family are ready to have you just to themselves. I have had the pleasure of watching you not only officiate games, but also coach and spectate sporting events and you are obviously passionate about the game. What was the impetus of you getting into officiating?

Brandon Friesen: Basically, I was grandfathered in. My grandpa Johnson was a high school and college official, and my dad officiated football for almost 30 years. Just growing up around them and going to games with them, I knew it was something I always wanted to do. Plus, it helped to be able to be with a longtime Division 1 football official while he coached me in college baseball who helped me along the way as well, shout out ODB.

EC: Officiating as long as you have, I'm sure you have been in some awesome environments and seen some outstanding players. What school has the best game day environment and who is the best player you have seen?

BF: Obviously the national championships are awesome, but the best game day environment is always at Pitt State.

The best athlete I saw was Jermaine Gresham from Ardmore who went on to have an outstanding career at OU. He was absolutely unreal.

EC: Do you really have to wear uniform shirts that are a size too small, and which accentuates your guns more, asking if the gym is this way or calling a holding penalty?

BF: I'll let you in on a little secret and you heard it here first, we actually alter our shirts.

EC: What is something that the average fan would have absolutely no idea about what an official has to do in order to not only stay at the top of their game but also prepare for the upcoming contest?

BF: Between film review, crew calls, position calls there are very few nights off during the week. I'm not sure the average fan would really grasp how much time and effort is put into making sure we are prepared to call the games.

EC: But, even with all the preparation you put in surely you miss a couple calls, right? I mean, I've been to many games that you have called, and you certainly have upset a number of fans.

BF: Oh yeah, it's human nature but I guarantee you that if you go back and look at the calls that people yell at me about, I'm right 99% of the time. But sure, over the years I have had several IC (incorrect calls to the layperson) by graders or during games. I just have to move on and take the "next play" mentality.

EC: I always am amazed at the various phrases fans, players and coaches are able to come with as far as trash talking. The best being Abe Lemons asking an official if he would risk a technical call on him if he told the referee what he was thinking, the ref said no and Lemons said, "Good, because I think you stink".

What are some of the best or funniest things you have been told or overheard throughout the years?

BF: Well, since there are probably younger readers out there and this IS a kid's show, I'll just say to watch the Independence seasons of Last Chance U on Netflix and that will answer all questions about trash talk.

EC: Fair enough, let the parental settings do their job, how about the craziest moments? Had to have been something like the ending of my Pats against the Raiders last week. That cost me a bundle.

BF: I'm sure you are betting responsibly there Commish but again, shout out Netflix and watch season 4, episode 4 of Last Chance U- the whole experience was the craziest thing so far. By the way Netflix, I can be contacted regarding my residual payments, they seem to have been lost in the mail.

EC: The OSSAA has implemented a policy regarding fan interaction, what are your thoughts on that?

BF: As an official, I think it gives us a tool to deal with fans. I think, and I would say that officials need to be careful how they use it or go about dealing with it. In my personal opinion, I think that school's administration should become involved way before the officials have to.

EC: What is some advice you would give to someone who is wanting to follow in your footsteps?

BF: The best advice for someone wanting to officiate is have a passion for whatever sport you decide to officiate. Know the rules and learn the mechanics. Everything else will get there with experience.

EC: Out of all the sports you officiate, which is your favorite? You not only have done national championships and been on ESPN, but you have also umped some big games on the diamond as well.

BF: Football is by far my favorite. I do enjoy baseball and being on the diamond in the spring but for me, nothing beats football season.

EC: That's great, judging by the look in your wife's eyes it looks like we better wrap this up. What is the biggest perk of being an official?

BF: Man, I get a front row seat and get to watch great athletes chasing their dreams every Saturday. It's a real treat.

EC: Brandon, thank you so much for your time. I know our readers will enjoy hearing a little about what it's like and what it takes to be an official. Congratulations on all your success and I'm positive that the accolades and bigger opportunities will continue to come your way. You are a thorough official and always have the best interests of the players and the game in mind when you step onto whatever field you are about to work on.