PART II: PETERSON LEADING THE CHARGE
By BRANDON HURLEY
Sports Editor
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second segment of a two part series on the lengthy career of long-time Iowa High School official, Pete Peterson. He’s spent 42 years in the business, officiating mostly basketball with a few softball and baseball games littered in between. He was inducted into the Iowa High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame during halftime of the 2A boys’ state championship March 10 in Des Moines. Today, we look at the technical side of a referee.
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The statistics are startling.
Forty-five percent of high school officials in Iowa following the 2015-2016 season were over the age of 50, with the overall pool dwindling rapidly.
Wrestling, baseball and swimming have been hit hardest, with basketball and football seeing a decrease in officials as well.
But, there’s hope. The veterans of the profession are taking the initiative, mentoring up-and-comers and helping breed a new generation of officials.
It’s a rewarding job that also keeps you in shape in a competitive atmosphere. It can certainly come with it’s challenges, though. More often than not, it’s the fruits of labor outweigh the hecklers, the objectors and the downright nutty parent.
Just ask 1968 East Greene graduate and legendary referee, Pete Peterson. His profession, which began as just a side hustle, blossomed into a hall of fame career. He’s leading the charge for a younger, more spry generation of referee.
No, he’s not the youngest guy out there, but he certainly is one of the most experienced and knows the ins and outs of it all. His dedication also helps build a layer of trust among players and coaches, Peterson is an expert at his craft.
The connections he’s made throughout his career will last a lifetime. So why wouldn’t Peterson help breed a new generation of officials? He wants to share his love with the world.
The instrumental role an official plays is unmatched by many professions in the sports world.
“You get to be a part of something instead of just observing it,” Peterson said. “If you enjoy the game like I did, you enjoy the challenge of trying to be perfect. It’s very rewarding, and when someone who knows what they are talking about tells you that you did a nice job, that’s a good feeling to have.”
Peterson has officiated Iowa high school basketball games for the last 42 years, a marvelous run that has propelled him to the Iowa High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame.
He’s always be a strong supporter of keeping the game pure, clean and moving along smoothly. The 66-year old husband and father of four fell in love with the game instantly, which is why he is leading the charge for a new batch of officials.
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But why is there such a shortage of officials?
First, it takes time. A truly dedicated official has to start low on the totem pole and work their way up. There’s also the factor of pressure and your work being on constant display. Some people can’t take the criticism. But Peterson stuck with it, and honed his craft with hours and hours of practice, drinking in the game he loved.
“I understand it’s hard out there and people are on your case all the time, but you probably played some sport and your coach got on you and you got through it,” Peterson said. “This is kind of the same thing. I’d focus on the rewards of it.”
One of those benefits includes staying in shape and earning a bit of extra cash. There are always basketball games, all over the state.
Peterson’s spent four decades in the profession, but started with humble beginnings, working games around the Greene County area at small schools. He had to grind, getting the rules down to a T.
“I had to study,” Peterson said of first becoming a referee back in 1974. “I mean I knew the rules, but there’s so much more to it than just knowing. You have to learn the mechanics of it all.”
He was hooked, and as Peterson grew, so did the game of basketball.
“I’m a person who is once I’m into it, I’m [all] the way into it,” he said. “I have a passion for it and I want to get better at it. Both of us kept driving and driving.”
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The first earth-shattering rule change during Peterson’s tenure was the addition of the three-point line. Then came the transition from six-on-six girls’ basketball to five-on-five. Peterson welcomed the extra scoring wrinkle – which was implemented during the 1987-1988 season – with open arms, as he feels it’s only benefited the game and increased scoring.
The girls’ transition from six-on-six wasn’t too difficult either, but it was bittersweet to see it go, Peterson said. The girls went to five-on-five following the 1992-93 season.
“It was [entirely] different. Six-on-six was unique because they scored a lot of points and the fans liked to watch it,” Peterson said. “There was a star at every school. Now, not so much. But, it’s easier to adjust [from game-to-game] because the rules are the same.”
The most recent rule change, that doesn’t so much as influence the product on the floor but still took some time to adjust to, allows boys’ coaches to now stand up on the sideline while the ball is in play. Before, the coaches were restricted to the bench and could only get up during timeouts.
“When some of them stand up, they feel like they have to talk to you whether they normally would or not,” Peterson said.
The players have changed as well, he added.
“Today, I notice the size of the kids,” he said. “They are thicker, stronger. The three-point shot has definitely changed the game.”
Peterson’s toughest adjustment came when the officiating crews expanded roughly 15 years ago.
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For nearly 30 years, Peterson and his good friend, Steve Debeout, were the lone pair each game they were assigned too. They developed a familiarity and cohesiveness that produced a well-officiated game night-in and night-out. But then, change arrived – the game was moving to three-man officiating crews. With it, came a lengthy adjustment period.
“[There was] more mental preparation. Physically, you didn’t have to run as much but mentally, you have three areas to cover,” Peterson said. “Consistency was lower because you have three guys instead of two.”
Peterson likened three-man crews to a bicycle wheel. The trio must become one and stay on the same page throughout the 32 minutes of game play.
“If one spoke breaks, it wobbles.” he said. “And that’s like the crew. If you aren’t together, you are going to wobble. We have to make sure we fit in together.
It took a couple years for us to really feel comfortable with the rotations without having to think about what you’re doing.”
They learned to study games for a better feel. Peterson, Debeout and their partner discussed the action following each and every contest. They poured over their mistakes like the coaches and players they officiate, but learned to get over errors quickly.
“If it’s a judgement call, that’s part of the game,” Peterson said.
But he admits, he’s had a few lapses here and there over the years.
“I think we called three-seconds once on the defense instead of the offense,” Peterson said. “My brain just went dead on me. Or gave a timeout to the other team that didn’t have the ball. That bugs you because you just went blank for a minute. But it doesn’t happen very often.”
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Even as an official, Peterson knows the game of basketball at the high school level isn’t perfect. He’s developed a few pet peeves over the years and feels a touch up is in store.
Peterson wants more action, even if it means he and his colleagues have to exert a little more cardio.
“I would like to see more points scored. I don’t think we are scoring enough,” Peterson said. “A shot clock may be an issue. I’ve heard about doing halves instead of quarters, too.”
A shot clock could help alleviate issues with late game stalling. Not only does it put an immense strain on the entertainment value, but it tests the officials, Peterson said.
“Physically, it’s not a problem, but mentally it’s a problem because it’s probably going to come down to a call. You have to stay focused and engaged,” he said. “Sometimes it’s hard to when they are standing in one spot for three minutes. Your concentration level has to stay into the game. I want movement, I want entertainment.”
Another way to increase excitement could be to eliminate some of the clunky rules as well. Time outs need to be tightened up, Peterson said. In a scramble for a loose ball, a player shouldn’t be allowed to wildly clamor for possession and simultaneously call a time out.
“I’d like to see it play out and a coach can’t call a timeout,” Peterson said. “I’d like to have the rule, personally, where you are standing up and holding the ball. It helps the officials.”
Improvement of the five-second call for ball handlers could increase efficiency as well, Peterson said. He’d like the countdown to start and end when the player is literally standing and holding the ball, not when they are moving and closely guarded like it is now.
“Because then, we as officials, have to follow the ball handler all over the court,” he said.
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Officiating a big time championship game certainly lends itself to intense pressure and stress, and the officials feel it, especially if the game comes down to the last shot. That’s when years of experience, practice and team work comes in handy.
“It’s harder than you think,” Peterson said. “If someone is taking a last second shot and the back board doesn’t have a light, which most don’t, you have to decide if it’s out of their hand. By the time you make the call, it’s probably out of their hand. Your mind has to decide where the ball was when I heard the horn.”
Officials are cautious of a several different factors as the shooter releases the ball. It takes focus, attention to detail and a quick reaction to make the right call. The best way to attack a late game situation, Peterson said, is to call on help from your co-workers.
“You have to worry if it was behind the three-point line or if they fouled. Was the ball out of the hand before or after the horn? Are they going to shoot three free-throws or two?” the veteran said. “You’ve got all these things going on. You’re going to need two officials watching the particular play and the other one watching the rest of the game. There better be at least four eyes on the ball, so you have to work as a team.
I always tell people, officiating is a team sport.”
Peterson has garnered the respect of his colleagues as evidenced by his prestigious award. He still stops in to small towns throughout the area to say “hi,” and even remembers the old gyms he used to officiate in. Iowa High School Athletic Association director of officials, Lewie Curtis feels Peterson embodies the persona of a hall-of-famer.
“I think the thing that makes him deserving, No. 1, is his longevity is unquestioned. Pete has a passion for officiating, particularly basketball. That’s a noteworthy piece,” Curtis said. “The officials that get to the level of Pete, they don’t do it just because they [only] like basketball. It’s a combination of a whole bunch of things. It starts with your desire to want to give back to the game, help kids and participate in the game.”
Peterson’s attention to detail also sets him apart. It’s apparent he’s studied his craft to get to where he’s at today. But once again, it comes down to a desire along with the combination of doing it the right way. That, and he can still officiate with the best of them at 66 years old.
“He knows the rules, he gets it. He’s not going to make interpretation mistakes,” Curtis said. “He still gets up and down the court with pretty good effectiveness. I think passion and professionalism are two things he possess that put him above and beyond.”
As he winds his way into retirement, Peterson has nothing but good will for a profession that started out as a hobby and blossomed into a hall of fame career. He’s focused on breeding a new crop of young officials, with a goal to keep the game pure. He’s also coming to terms with the end of a long career.
“Your appreciation changes,” Peterson said about helping the next generation. “You appreciate how you got here and now want to give back.
The last few years were a little harder because our bodies started to wear down and you just get tired. But, I have a hard time believing that I won’t be doing it anymore.”
Peterson continued, “Lots of traveling down the roads, a lot of trips up and down the basketball court, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
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