Volunteer officiates Catholic grade school league games
By Joanne Fox, Journal staff writer | Posted: Monday, March 10, 2008
At left, Matt Greer watches Holy Cross player Maria Sloniker prepare to throw the ball inbounds during a game between Holy Cross and Sacred Heart School at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic School gymnasium. Greer volunteers as an official for the Catholic Grade School Athletic League. (Staff photo by Jerry Mennenga)
As the young women dribbled up and down the basketball court, referee Matt Greer trotted along, watching for anything that deviated from the game.
It's something Greer's been doing for 27 years with the Catholic Grade School Athletic League.
"It's volunteers like Matt who are vital to the success of the league," said Tom Betz, Heelan High School boys basketball coach, who may ultimately see some of the athletes from the games Greer officiates.
Like many volunteers, Greer was approached by someone he knew and asked to help out. There wasn't even a question of yes or no, he said.
"I was a sophomore at Briar Cliff College when Brendan Burchard, a former teacher of mine at Heelan, asked if I would be willing to referee a boys basketball game," he said. "I had played basketball at Heelan, so I knew it was something I could do."
Once he had the basketball officiating down, Greer was "weaned" into the football games. That was followed by girls basketball.
Although most wouldn't equate the word "fun" with officiating, umpiring or refereeing, that was the reason Greer cited that he was doing it.
"The kids are great," he responded immediately. "And then I feel very strongly about giving back to my church."
Officiating in the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Grade School gym was like coming home for Greer. He attended Blessed Sacrament, as did all of his siblings. So did his dad, Tom Greer, who is a Trinity High School alumnus. His mom, Mickey, is Cathedral High School grad.
"My folks taught me it isn't a boat or a house that's important," he said. "The biggest investment you have in life is your kids. I believe that."
He took a moment to grin and admitted, "The officiating helps me as well. It's a bit physical, so it keeps me in shape."
Although he's officiated at both basketball and football, Greer couldn't say he preferred one over the other.
"In football, you're closer to the coaches and can hear them talking," he observed. "The fans are farther away. In basketball, you're closer to the fans so you can hear their ...."
Greer hesitated, seeking the most diplomatic words, and continued, "hear their constructive insights."
He smiled, then went on, "Some like to give their 2 cents' worth, like if I miss a traveling call."
Greer is a parent himself, so he acknowledged he could understand their concerns.
"The family support is just outstanding at the games," he said. "You've got parents and aunts and uncles and grandmothers and grandfathers and brothers and sisters who are at these games.They're all interested."
"I had the pleasure of coaching Matt's son Joe this year," Betz said. "He's the kind of parent who's really supportive, and that's what sports is all about; it's what's important."
Of course, one doesn't officiate for that long and not have at least one incorrect call. Greer sheepishly said the one he remembers involved a family member who was kicking the extra point for the win in overtime.
"It was my nephew at an eighth-grade football game," he recalled. "I was watching the ball instead of him, and the kick was good. Unfortunately, I totally missed a roughing the kicker call. I heard about that a lot afterwards."
But Greer isn't just about the fouls and infringements. The kids are grade-school age and still unfamiliar with the game.
"It depends on where we're at in the season, but I don't have any problems talking to the coaches and trying to work with them to make the players better," he said. "Then, once they get better at the game, I'll toughen up a bit on the players. But it's great to watch the kids develop and learn the value of sportsmanship and teamwork. That makes it all worthwhile."
"Matt is not only officiating but educating the kids, and I appreciate that," said Betz, who is also the director of admissions and alumni relations for Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools. "We try and stress in the league that the No. 1 thing is participating, not winning or losing. Matt makes every kid feel like he or she is successful in the game."
VITA
Name: Matt Greer
Hometown: Sioux City
Education: 1978 Heelan High School graduate; 1982 Briar Cliff College graduate with a bachelor's degree in business administration.
Professional: Briefly worked at IBP Inc., then for 22 years in sales at General Business Equipment/Officelements; two months ago became part owner and in charge of sales for Siouxland Sports Authority.
Personal: Married to wife, Jennifer, for 23 years; two children, Bridget and Joe.
How he's making a difference: By volunteering for the past 27 years with Catholic Grade School Athletic League as a sports official.
It's something Greer's been doing for 27 years with the Catholic Grade School Athletic League.
"It's volunteers like Matt who are vital to the success of the league," said Tom Betz, Heelan High School boys basketball coach, who may ultimately see some of the athletes from the games Greer officiates.
Like many volunteers, Greer was approached by someone he knew and asked to help out. There wasn't even a question of yes or no, he said.
"I was a sophomore at Briar Cliff College when Brendan Burchard, a former teacher of mine at Heelan, asked if I would be willing to referee a boys basketball game," he said. "I had played basketball at Heelan, so I knew it was something I could do."
Once he had the basketball officiating down, Greer was "weaned" into the football games. That was followed by girls basketball.
Although most wouldn't equate the word "fun" with officiating, umpiring or refereeing, that was the reason Greer cited that he was doing it.
"The kids are great," he responded immediately. "And then I feel very strongly about giving back to my church."
Officiating in the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Grade School gym was like coming home for Greer. He attended Blessed Sacrament, as did all of his siblings. So did his dad, Tom Greer, who is a Trinity High School alumnus. His mom, Mickey, is Cathedral High School grad.
"My folks taught me it isn't a boat or a house that's important," he said. "The biggest investment you have in life is your kids. I believe that."
He took a moment to grin and admitted, "The officiating helps me as well. It's a bit physical, so it keeps me in shape."
Although he's officiated at both basketball and football, Greer couldn't say he preferred one over the other.
"In football, you're closer to the coaches and can hear them talking," he observed. "The fans are farther away. In basketball, you're closer to the fans so you can hear their ...."
Greer hesitated, seeking the most diplomatic words, and continued, "hear their constructive insights."
He smiled, then went on, "Some like to give their 2 cents' worth, like if I miss a traveling call."
Greer is a parent himself, so he acknowledged he could understand their concerns.
"The family support is just outstanding at the games," he said. "You've got parents and aunts and uncles and grandmothers and grandfathers and brothers and sisters who are at these games.They're all interested."
"I had the pleasure of coaching Matt's son Joe this year," Betz said. "He's the kind of parent who's really supportive, and that's what sports is all about; it's what's important."
Of course, one doesn't officiate for that long and not have at least one incorrect call. Greer sheepishly said the one he remembers involved a family member who was kicking the extra point for the win in overtime.
"It was my nephew at an eighth-grade football game," he recalled. "I was watching the ball instead of him, and the kick was good. Unfortunately, I totally missed a roughing the kicker call. I heard about that a lot afterwards."
But Greer isn't just about the fouls and infringements. The kids are grade-school age and still unfamiliar with the game.
"It depends on where we're at in the season, but I don't have any problems talking to the coaches and trying to work with them to make the players better," he said. "Then, once they get better at the game, I'll toughen up a bit on the players. But it's great to watch the kids develop and learn the value of sportsmanship and teamwork. That makes it all worthwhile."
"Matt is not only officiating but educating the kids, and I appreciate that," said Betz, who is also the director of admissions and alumni relations for Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools. "We try and stress in the league that the No. 1 thing is participating, not winning or losing. Matt makes every kid feel like he or she is successful in the game."
VITA
Name: Matt Greer
Hometown: Sioux City
Education: 1978 Heelan High School graduate; 1982 Briar Cliff College graduate with a bachelor's degree in business administration.
Professional: Briefly worked at IBP Inc., then for 22 years in sales at General Business Equipment/Officelements; two months ago became part owner and in charge of sales for Siouxland Sports Authority.
Personal: Married to wife, Jennifer, for 23 years; two children, Bridget and Joe.
How he's making a difference: By volunteering for the past 27 years with Catholic Grade School Athletic League as a sports official.
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Cogs wrote on Mar 11, 2008 1:24 AM:
Take care, Cogs.
How bout them Crusaders! "
The Protestant wrote on Mar 10, 2008 6:22 PM:
townhouse alumi wrote on Mar 10, 2008 4:03 PM:
Chelsea wrote on Mar 10, 2008 12:54 PM: