Jeff Roop, Referee by Chris Reynolds Some of you might think you have a thankless job, or at least that, at times, you might feel underappreciated for what you do. Well, for the past 17 years Jeff Roop has done a job that fits that description. Jeff travels around northern Illinois officiating girls high school basketball. He officiates around 35 games a year. Over those 17 years Jeff has proven himself to be among the best girls basket
(left) Mark Lei & Jeff Roop. (right) Jim Searingen, Jeff Roop & Leroy Schulter
ball officials in the state. His officiating is graded by the coaches after each game and sent to the Director of Offici- ating for the IHSA. His officiating has been graded high enough that he has been assigned several Sectional tourna- ment finals and three Super Sectional games. When asked his most memorable moment Jeff recalled the night, eight years ago, when he got a phone call from the State assigning him to his first sectional game. Jeff ’s work throughout the season and in those assigned games have graded high enough that this year he has been assigned to do the IHSA Girls State Tournament in Blooming ton. This is the highest level of completion and it requires the top level of officiating. Congratulations to Jeff for achieving this goal! Why would a person want to do this seemingly thankless job? Jeff said he enjoys having to stay in good physical condition and also mentioned that he values the relationship he has built with the partner he officiates with, Monte Messenger. When asked what the best compliment he received over the years Jeff recalled the Milledgeville coach commenting on what a good game Jeff had done, “I didn’t even notice you were on the floor”, said the coach. Who is the best coach he has worked with over the years? Jeff quickly mentioned Don Robinson of Prophetstown (who is Matt Drew’s Father-in law. Matt works first shift Mix). Why was Coach Robinson the best? Jeff said it was because his focus was to be positive to his players, and not finding fault with the officials. Jeff has been officiating at some level ever since he graduated from high school. He obviously has mastered his trade. Jeff said that had the AFC Lady Raiders reached the upper level of the state completion, he would have excused himself from refereeing that game to avoid any conflict of interest. Congratulations again to Jeff for being assigned to the State Tourna- ment. New Year & New Set of Two Hour Increments A new year means that the vacation day that you are allowed to split up in two hour increments has begun again as of January 1st. These increments must be pre-approved by your supervisor. Remember there is only one vacation day per calendar year that can be used this way. Contact Susan Larson or Lynn Burnette with any questions. Don’t Forget to Order Your Uniforms Each year employees are offered a uniform allotment based on the month of your date of hire. Be sure to order your uniforms during the month of your date of hire each year. Forms are available in the break room at the build- ing that you are in, please be sure to fill out the correct form based on the department that you work in. Orders can be turned into Peggy Messer in the Payroll Office. Reminders from the Payroll Office
14 Crest Ink April, May & June 2017
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