I was doing radio play-by-play years ago at a Quincy-Cashmere basketball game in Quincy. It was a doubleheader broadcast with the girls game first and this young man in a tie came up and asked if I wanted his help at half time. Curious, I said, "sure." Right on cue, he plopped down next to me and joined me on the air at half time providing all the inside scoop on Quincy athletics. He couldn't have been 15, yet his poise and professionalism came shining through as if he were 25. His name was Nate Harris.
Nate Harris working the State Finals |
A few years later, Nate came to work for us at the radio station, cutting his teeth doing play-by-play for his alma mater. It was quickly apparent that his dogged determination to succeed and willingness to learn and work hard would provide the launching pad for a great career. I took him under my wing, and eventually handed Nate the reigns when I left to work with the Seahawks and KIRO in Seattle.
Fast forward several years and a Bachelors Degree from Washington State University later for Nate, Harris is now enjoying a successful radio sales career at the KXLY group of stations in Spokane. Besides his passion for radio, Nate also found a niche in officiating. Harris quickly ran through the ranks of umpiring baseball and officiating basketball. Is is the later that brings the story to where we are today. Nate just learned that he's been selected to officiate basketball in the West Coast Conference this season.
I'm incredibly proud of Nate and we joked about how we should do an article in the newsletter on his plight. Laughing aside, here it is. Enjoy...
Why did you first get into refereeing and how long ago was it?
I started officiating when I was a Junior in High School in Quincy. I was the manager of the high school basketball team at the time and I would always make a couple of comments to the officials during the games...they said, if you're so good over there on the bench, why don't you come join us. The money wasn't too bad for a high school kid, so I started reffing some AAU games on Saturday's and the rest is history :)
What is it about refereeing you enjoy most?
My favorite part about officiating is staying involved in the game I love. I enjoy being a part of the action (not the focal point) but a part. I love the game of basketball and its a great way to give back to a game I love so much.
When you started, did you have lofty goals?
To be honest, when I started I was just trying to make a couple of extra bucks through high school and college. But anything I start I don't get into half way. I started to realize how much fun this could be and I start pursuing the collegiate path.
Scott Fetterly, Nate Harris & Steve Simonson |
Do you, or did you have a referee you looked up to?I do have about 3 people that I rely on that are at the level I strive to be at. However, when I started officiating the guy in the area that I really looked up to was Steve Simonson. Steve was always doing the big games in the CWAC (the league Quincy was in) and I really like how he worked with players and coaches. It came full circle this past season when I was able to work the State 4A championship game with Steve. That was an experience that I will never forget!
Why focus on basketball instead of baseball?
To be honest, they are 2 different games. I enjoyed baseball while I was doing it and still have some great friends that I umpired with. However, I'm married and would like to have a family one day, so 2 sports is very trying. I also enjoy basketball because the games are indoors and we have a clock! Some baseball games could drag on for hours...although I do miss it every now and then.
What's been your biggest challenge so far?
The biggest challenge for me is earning respect because I am so young. I try to work as hard as I can and get rid of the perception that because I'm so young I don't get plays right. I have to overcome that objection by getting plays right and communicating with the participants effectively. But in my opinion, age is just a number. If you work hard at anything you do, whether it be basketball or just everyday life, you will be successful!
What's the hardest call you've ever had to make?
I don't think there is any one call that really sticks out. We have tough calls every night. There's a saying (and its true) they don't pay us to make the easy calls (90% of the game), the great referee's are the one's that get the 10% right. Although, determining marginal vs illegal contact in the post and on the perimeter is difficult at times.
What are your highlights so far?
To be honest, my highlights are the relationships and the people that I have become friends with along the way. Some of my best friends in life I have met in officiating. The games are just games, but its the people that I interact with in basketball that is the biggest highlight for me, and I believe that will always be the case!
What's been the coolest moment for you so far?
There's 2. 1 would be, as I mentioned earlier, working the State 4A Championship game with Steve Simonson and Scott Fetterly this past March. And #2 would be getting the call Monday, July 26th from Dave Libbey, coordinator of officials for the West Coast Conference informing me that I was now "in the family" (On staff).
What's the thing you keep in mind while officiating?
Its just basketball. So many people get wrapped up in this game and it hurts families, careers, I have to realize at the end of the day that this is just basketball. I love what I do, don't get me wrong, but my family and my career are #1 in my life.
What's the biggest compliment you could get following a game?
That players and coaches TRUST us on the court. Some people say that they don't want to get noticed, but most of the good referees are noticed because they get the tough plays right. And sometimes the crowd doesn't like that. You're going to get noticed during a game, whether you are the best referee in the world or the worst referee in the world.
How did you get to the point where you're officiating for the WCC? (describe the camps, tryouts, networking, etc.)
Its a tough process. There are numerous camps that you have to go to. The biggest thing that has helped me is breaking down game tape. I'm a big fan of controlling what I can control and not worrying about what assignor "likes me" etc. I just work as hard as I can at what I do and take feedback and apply it to my game. The rest will take care of itself. Camps in the summer time have been and important part of helping me develop my game. I am also in a month court club with former NBA Director of Officials Ed Rush. We break down game film and he has guests on once a month to help us improve our game.
As an official, can you still be a basketball fan?
Absolutely. I love the game of basketball...however, that's just it. I'm a fan of the game of basketball. I'm not a fan of a specific team because I can't be, but I love the game, that's why I do what I do.
When you watch a game on TV, are you watching the game or the officials?
A little of both, but mostly the officials. I'm a student of officiating, I want to see how the guys that are on TV night in and night out do it, because I want to be working at that level. There is a reason they are working the big games and I want to pick up little things I can apply to my game to help me get to the next level.
What is your ultimate goal?
My ultimate goal would be to referee in the NBA. Right now that's just a dream but would be neat if it happened someday :)
What would you tell someone who is also thinking of pursuing a career as an official? Or, is it a CAREER you can really chase?
I would tell them to start with their local high school association. A "Career" as an official is very hard to do. There is only 60 referees in the world that do this full time (the NBA staff). But pursuing the collegiate path would start with joining your high school association and getting to a camp. Camps will help you improve.
What's the funniest moment in your officiating career so far?
I'm a pretty serious guy on the court, but I'm jokester off the court. There is one moment that sticks out, but there are plenty of time that we are laughing together after games. There was one time last year when I spilled coffee on myself in the car on the way to the game. I was wearing a suit, that was sure fun to clean up before we got to the gym. Thank goodness we had to walk right into the locker room :)
Nate with wife Jessica |
What does your wife and family think of your officiating?My wife is the most supportive "Basketball Wife" I have ever met. She played high school basketball and her Mom coached for years so she understands the travel and me being out of the house a lot during the winter time. But I try and do special things for here during the season and let her know how much I truly appreciate her. She makes this basketball thing and our house GO! I couldn't do any of this without her. She's the best!
Who is your mentor and how do they help?
I have 3 different mentors. All from different areas and all at kind of different levels. I have a guy that's on the brink of being in the NBA, a guy that is working collegiate tournament games and another guy that is in the conference tournaments and has worked the tournament the last couple of years. Each of these gentlemen help me out with how to handle certain situations both on and off the court and are a great resource to help me do things the right way!
Greetings!
