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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
May 10, 2008 - 11:21:04 AM |
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Blackanthem Military News
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| Maj. Mike Grundman, the mobilization planner at Camp Atterbury, officiates basketball games in his spare time. Photo by Mark Roach, copyright 2008 Visual Sports, Inc. |
CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. - Sweat poured from the players as the clock drew closer to the buzzer. Fans screamed to encourage their team, and distract the other. The lights reflected off of the court and the blowing whistle.
The officiator, a Soldier from Camp Atterbury, just made a decision that potentially changed the outcome of the game during the March 2008 state basketball finals.
The Indiana University alum started working intramural basketball games back in college for entertainment money. Since then, Maj. Mike Grundman, the mobilization planner at Camp Atterbury has officiated 223 games ranging from high school level to college tournaments.
"I've always been a basketball fan, but I've never played on a team," said Grundman. "This way I can be part of the game and have an added benefit of earning a little additional income."
According to Grundman, the process to become eligible to officiate has been ongoing. It started with an application to the Indiana High School Athletic Association. From there ratings from written tests, observers and coaches played a large role in which section he was placed.
Officiators can be placed in sectionals, regionals, semi-states and state finals based on ratings and experience factors from year to year. Grundman started out in sectionals and worked his way up to officiating the May 2008 state finals.
"Being an officer in the Army and an officiator for basketball games compliment each other," said Grundman. "As an officer, I have learned to make quick decisions and be a people person, and as an officiator I have learned to understand people's emotions."
According to Grundman, each level of tournaments becomes significantly more emotional for coaches, fans and players. People become more invested and what is going on and it takes more experience and skills to handle officiating the games.
"My experience as an officer helped me deal with situations during the game in a professional manner," he said.
Officiating games stuck with Grundman from his college years through his military career. He missed one year of refereeing due to a tour in Iraq in 2001, but made up for it in during another tour in 2003 by officiating games during his leave.
The six games he officiated during his leave made Grundman eligible to officiate regionals for the 2004 season.
"It's nice to be around motivated younger people and have a hobby that keeps you busy all in one," he said.
So nice, that Grundman has officiated 92 high school and college games in the 2007 and 2008 basketball season alone. To accomplish that, he has worked mostly night games and taken leave when military and basketball schedules overlapped.
"I have been lucky enough to have a string of great bosses and staff over the years that have taken care of me and made it possible for officiate as many games as I have," said Grundman.
"As long as my job schedule allows it, I will continue officiating basketball games," he added.
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