FROM HORSEPLAY to Heroes

Social psychology and the mob mentality is a fascinating subject. Studies have shown parts of the human brain controlling memory and guilt remain dormant in large group settings, but in an isolated setting, the same brain in the same person is very active. Is biology partially to blame for the sweet grandma who made pre-game snickerdoodles for the girls’ basketball team screaming holy hell at the refs during the game?

An article in “Psychology Today” discussing mob mentality states people in large groups experience a loss of self-awareness. Large groups can create heightened emotions and dramatic changes in acceptability. A guy shouting “YOU CHEAP FOUR-EYED FREAK” to another guy wearing glasses trying to find a nickel he dropped at the grocery store would be socially unacceptable in every city besides Philadelphia, but in a packed gym at a high school basketball game, it becomes acceptable in a large group setting. People feel anonymous within a large group. Invisibility and accountability are inversely correlated when the striped zebra blows the whistle.

In the last two years, Wisconsin has lost close to 2,000 high school basketball officials.

“The number one reason is abuse,” said local referee Nick Pack. “It’s bad. Over half the people that start (being a referee), don’t make it past year two.”

Who can blame them? Most basketball referees start by calling junior varsity games for a couple years. They used to make $45 per game and now it’s closer to $65 at most schools. Factor in the drive-time, pre-game preparation, and the game itself, and a new ref is basically making about $20 per hour to receive the mob mentality earful. Varsity game referees make about $100 per game.

Pack owns his own concrete business, Packman Concrete, but he’ll put on over 10,000 miles on his car in 2022 driving to ref basketball games. He started officiating basketball games over 20 years ago, but between a few breaks while coaching and different jobs, Nick Pack has been serious about his striped-shirt hobby since 2014.

“I started because I wanted to stay in the game and earn a little extra money,” said Pack, “But now I do it for the kids. It’s fun calling games when the kids play hard and play the game right.”

Pack said the game slowed down for him and he felt confident walking off the court about six years ago.

“That’s when I wanted to take it to the next level,” he said.

Numerous high school coaches in the area have confirmed Pack and his three-person crew, including Brian Nadeau and Jeremy Werner, are the top high school basketball ref crew in the area. Pack also officiates women’s college basketball at all three levels (Division I, II, and III).

The MIAC and WIAC Division III conferences pay $200 per game and Division II (NSIC) in Minnesota commands a $350 ref bill.

“You go to Division I, you start adding a comma in there,” said Pack, “We call those comma games.”

Pack officiates Summit and Horizon League Conference games and receives $1,100 per game, but his climb up the referee ladder, like most every referee, has taken years of hard work.

“The fans have no idea how much time and effort we put in outside of the gym to get better,” said Pack.

Pack comes from a sports family and grew up in Lamberton, Minn. His three brothers are all coaches. One brother, Chris, won back-to-back Class A State Championships in boys’ basketball at Hayfield (Minn.) in 2021 and 2022.

“They say he’s (brother Chris) a bear to ref for,” said Pack, “The hardest thing to do is manage the coaches.”

High school coaches have a wide range of knowledge. Some know the rules well and many do not, according to Pack.

“I know a coach doesn’t know what they’re talking about if he’s yelling at me for a call that’s not in my area,” said Pack.

Pack says good officials will ref their area and they have to trust their partners.

“You can get in trouble when you lose that trust and start ball-watching,” he said.

Wisconsin high school basketball coaches are supposed to wait until the next day after a game to rate the referee crew between 1 and 7. Higher ratings, years of experience, and number of officiating camps attended will earn a referee a level 4 rating. Level 4 refs are eligible to officiate post-season WIAA games.

Pack officiated his first WIAA State Tournament game last year.

“Zach Campbell (River Falls head boys’ basketball coach) called me up and said I’d worked hard and I deserved to be on that court. From someone like him (Campbell) who knows basketball like he does,” said Pack, “it really meant a lot.”

You may be able to see why a congratulatory call from a well-respected coach means that much to a referee. It’s common knowledge the goal of any good referee is to have the crowd not even notice you’re there.

“That’s the best compliment you can get,” said Pack.

Knowing the rules is obviously key to solid officiating, but the best referees know how to control and manage a game and they do it by communicating and forming relationships, even if they’re just a few seconds long.

“I talk to at least a couple fans every game because once they realize you’re a person and not stripes, that goes a long way,” said Pack. “You have to get them laughing and then they know I’m human.

“I’m a competitive person and I strive to be my best and put in all the time off the court to be better and give my best back to these kids.”

Zebras, the ones with four legs, are on the endangered species list. Let’s hope Wisconsin high school basketball zebras don’t follow in their footsteps and the mob mentality sends them to extinction. Tis the season for good tidings and joy; (insert whistle sound here) thank a ref!

If you have interest in becoming an official in any sport, contact your local high school athletic director and he or she will point you in the right direction.