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By Hugh Townsend ONE-ON-ONE
Roger Caulfield has decided to retire after an illustrious 22 years of officiating at the CIS National Men's Championships. The pictures of Roger is the acknowledgement by his peers, coaches and fans at halftime of the Championship Game in Halifax.
Roger received a standing ovation from all in attendance
ROGER CAULFIELD is considered to be one of the finest basketball referees ever produced in this province. And he is certainly been one of the longest serving.
He has officiated at the university level for 30 years, handled more than 1,000 university games, including assignments in 25 Atlantic conference playoffs, and, this weekend, he is working in his 22nd national men's championship at the Halifax Metro Centre. As well, he refereed in professional ranks when the Halifax Windjammers were in business.
But this standout run is nearing its final stages.
"I'm coming to an end," he says. "I'm thinking of this (CIS tournament) being my last major event. Although I'll still be working in the league, we have some wonderful young officials now that I think need the experiences and the great opportunities that I have had over a long time.
"A part of me wants to keep going forever, but I think it's time to let others have these opportunities."
So is this weekend really his swansong on the national stage?
"I'm having a hard time saying it, but I guess that's what I'm thinking. The young fellows we have out there are the future of our referees in the province and they should get a chance.
"I love doing it, I love being out there every night, I love the atmosphere, I love the crowd, I love the whole thing. I just love basketball, I love talking basketball, and I love being part of it.
"It's hard to give all that up."
Caulfield is a familiar face, whether he's on the court or just sitting in the stands.
"If I'm not refereeing a game, I go to a game to watch it. I'll see all the games this weekend, for sure.
"And that's part of the homework, watching how teams play, watching the various players perform, and watching the other officials work. I mean, I'm still learning. I think thats a key."
The 52-year-old Caulfield grew up in Springhill at a time when the hard-luck coal-mining town was fighting back after its last major mine disaster when he was a pre-schooler.
"I was always involved in all the sports when I was young. I played all the sports in school. I played baseball and hockey, volleyball, badminton, tennis, pretty well all the sports. But basketball tended to be the one that became my best love."
He went to Nova Scotia Teachers College where he got his degree. He began teaching in the Annapolis Valley in 1974 when he took a job at L.E. Shaw Elementary School in Avonport, the school where he still teaches.
"I've really enjoyed the school. This is my 32nd year there."
But teaching and refereeing weren't the only things that took his time. He also coached the Windsor Warlords for 12 years.
He had gotten into all aspects of the game quickly.
"I started out playing, coaching and refereeing just because of my love of the game of basketball.
"Refereeing you certainly see the game from another side and I guess you have a little more empathy for the coaches."
He's pleased he's had the chance to stay in the sport.
"The best thing about refereeing is that it keeps you in the game and I love being a part of it.
"The pressure is that you want to do the very best job you can and you don't want to make mistakes that are going to hurt anyone. We all try to have the perfect game and I guess we're always striving in that direction.
"I've been lucky to have a couple brothers who officiate, so we can share ideas."
Refereeing involves more than just walking onto the court with a whistle.
"During a weekend, like last week's (AUS) tournament, you get mentally drained and it takes a lot out of you, and then you try to get prepared for the next thing. It's not always the physical stuff, it's the mental stuff that you have to be prepared for, to make sure you're properly focused."
What constitutes a good game for him?
"It's when nobody notices me. I'm in and I'm out and nobody knows who did the game, and I've taken care of the business I needed to take care of."
In his personal life, Caulfield didn't have to search beyond Springhill to find his bride, the former Cathy Calder.
"She was a high school cheerleader when I was playing. I was captain of the basketball team and she was out there cheering. She's still cheering me sometimes.
"She's seen almost as many games as I have. She loves the game, and that's been the key for me. I've always been able to go to games and relax, and we both feel comfortable doing that kind of thing."
Roger plans to retire from teaching after two more years.
"Teaching takes a lot of your time, and I'd like to do some other things."
htownsend@herald.ca
Hugh Townsend's column appears every Friday.
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