32 Years of Officiating Insights from Nadine Crowley 🏀

"The best referees are those who make their partners look great.
- Nadine Crowley

These words by Nadine Crowley do more than reveal her philosophy as an elite referee; they confirm my impression of her as a person who truly embodies her values. She is a role model, educator, mentor for the youth, trailblazer, and lifelong basketball enthusiast, consistently giving back to the sport she loves with selfless dedication. Therefore, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that she was more than happy to join the Hoops Official and share officiating wisdom from 32 long years in basketball - as a player, as a coach, as a referee, and as an instructor.

Here's what we covered with Nadine Crowley on Hoops Official:

• Transition from Player to Referee: Explore Nadine's journey from being on the court as a player to enforcing the game's rules.

• Achieving FIBA Certification: Hear about the challenges and triumphs on the path to becoming a FIBA-certified referee.

• Traits of Elite Referees: Discover what separates good referees from the elite, including court presence and the ability to communicate effectively.

• Leadership as a Crew Chief: Learn the crucial aspects of being a crew leader, focusing on respect, conflict resolution, and team dynamics.

• Handling Career Highs and Lows: Insights into sustaining a long career amidst personal and professional challenges.

• Mental and Emotional Resilience in Officiating: Understanding the psychological demands of officiating and how top referees manage stress and emotions.