Melendez: No excuses made over officials' miscue
MIGUEL MELENDEZ COLUMN
This column appeared on page B2 in the Star-News sports section on Tuesday, Oct. 6
THERE wasn't the usual runaround or answers littered with excuses.
That just wasn't going to happen, not under Joe Conte's watch.
Conte, the San Gabriel Valley Football Officials Association's liaison to the CIF-Southern Section, didn't hide or sugarcoat a lapse in judgement by the officiating crew that two weeks ago refused to grant Temple City and Arcadia high schools overtime after a 28-28 tie.
It didn't help that one official responded with "You just can't pay me enough to work overtime" when asked if there was going to be overtime.
Conte was flooded with calls the next day. It spilled into the weeks ahead.
Understandably there was outrage. The crew's actions not only abruptly ended an exciting game everyone wanted to see finished, it also put the association and profession in a bad light.
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A special meeting last week revealed the controversial comment was made by the official working the Temple City sideline.
In the meeting, that official stood up, looked Conte in the eye and confessed.
This screw-up, however, wasn't solely his. The blame lies on the entire crew.
It's in the bluebook. If both coaches agree to overtime, then overtime should be granted.
"It was their (the officials') impression we don't do overtime, but it was a mistake on the officials' part," Conte said.
As a result, none of the five officials will work a Temple City or Arcadia game the rest of the year and possibly next year, too.
Conte said the association was in damage control and "it'll take years to get over this" and it "will hang with our unit for years and years and years."
Not so.
That the official stood up and admitted the mistake was an immense first step in the right direction.
Conte's swift action cemented the association's credibility and that of the officials, too. They signed off on giving Conte full disclosure.
You do what you have to do, Joe. We understand.
Temple City and Arcadia have moved on from this sad episode, winning last week.
After tonight, the association may move on, too. Whether the eight-member board further reprimands the crew is uncertain, but they certainly learned their lesson and the association can thank Conte for calming the masses and getting to the bottom of it.
That Conte, 76, immediately was on top of things really wasn't all that surprising.
He is known as the "Godfather" at the Southern Section office because he is the longest-serving liaison. Conte, whose association oversees 49 schools in 17 sports across the San Gabriel Valley, has been at the helm since 1975.
"He's just a guy you don't have to worry about being a problem in the area," said Thom Simmons, spokesman for the Southern Section. "If there's a problem it never reaches the office."
Conte's work ethic is unparalleled.
He was on the phone last week answering questions after a chemotherapy session. He's battling bladder cancer and a tumor the size of a baseball. Conte was concise, articulate, thoughtful and remorseful. He almost was in tears when he questioned the officials last week.
Conte's had six chemo sessions and will go through his second-to-last session today.
Cancer, however, doesn't seem to have a fighting chance against Conte, who's also endured two knee surgeries. Conte's wife of 53 years, JoAnn, unsuccessfully tried convincing him to stop officiating football.
"I think Joe will die on the field," JoAnn said in a soft and tender voice. "He lives and breathes sports."
So when Conte said he feels bad about what transpired two weeks ago it's because he does. He feels for his colleagues, the men he's bonded with for more than three decades.
But Conte wasn't being politically correct despite his close ties and his no-nonsense approach was refreshing in almost single-handedly restoring the association's confidence.
The man in charge of the chain crew for USC football games took charge and stood center stage - and Conte didn't disappoint.
miguel.melendez@sgvn.com
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Melendez worked as a correspondent for the San Gabriel Valley Tribune for three years and later landed a job as a freelance writer at the Los Angeles Times before accepting an offer at The Orange County Register covering high schools. Melendez covered Major League Soccer at The Register for three years before being promoted to report on the Lakers, Angels and Dodgers for the Web. Melendez also worked for the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Fresno Bee, Oakland Tribune and The Boston Globe. E-mail opinions, suggestions and tips to miguel.melendez@sgvn.com. |
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Good job on this article. Joe's been a strong CIF Liason for years and we're lucky to have him in the West SGV. I agree that it wont take years to get over this, but I understand Joe's point that from an officials viewpoint, it can stay with the crew on the game and the association for years. Maybe thats a good thing, in that the whole situation is an opportunity for growth and re-focus on officiating instruction.