Richard Williams: a passion to officiate
Richard Williams is one of West Haven’s rising young men. Living in the West Haven Community for over 19 years, Richard has watched the transformation in the community. He has seen surroundings become safer and quality of life get better, and simultaneously, he has seen people in the community fail and fall by the way-side. As one to not become a victim or a statistic, Richard made a life decision that has paid off for him in many different ways.
As a product of many urban areas in Chicago, many youth have no sense of direction, and can easily allow the traps of their environment to engulf them. Richard took a passion to sports and used that as a motivation to do otherwise. While heavily active in sports throughout the city, Richard learned of a program that could further his involvement in sports, right in his own West Haven Community. Near West Side CDC was offering an officiating class that offered a chance to become an I.H.S.A. certified official and work with many prestigious officials, as well as being on the floor with elite athletes from the NBA to Illinois top athletes, during Near West Side’s Safe Summer Basketball League (SSBL).
Fast forwarding to now, Richard has become one of Illinois’ fast- rising officials. He has done many city high school games as well as countless league games in which Chicago’s top athletes compete with pride. In pursuit of getting better and more opportunities, Richard attended the NBA Official’s camp this year, and is bringing all of his experiences back to this year’s SSBL and to the reoccurring Officiating class Near West Side is offering; this time as a teacher. We sat down and talked with Richard about his life growing up in the community and his new found profession.
How did you grow up in this community?
RW. I grew up a typical kid; I like being outside…playing. As I got older, my mind grew and I began to desire more. I was a very outspoken kid and outgoing, but I was also well respected by my peers and also a respected kid in the adult’s eyes. I was a student athlete in school; away from the community. So at times, it was hard to stay focused on school. But at that point, I never had a problem with gangs or anything like that.
Well, what chosen paths did you take that may have not been the best thing for you?
RW. Well after school I took a bad turn. I decided I wanted to hang out everyday, participate in the street life, and not go to college. Although I had a few jobs and tried to go back to school a couple of times, I wasn’t focused on anything in particular, like so many young men today, and I just wanted to ‘hustle’. But in my head I knew it didn’t fit me; I knew it wasn’t for me, but I still tried to make it work over and over again.
What events in your life made you realize it was time for a change?
I had many different life changing events. First of all, I had two kids early, and they are growing fast. I knew I couldn’t live this ‘roller coaster’ style life anymore. In many ways I was cheating them out of their childhood with these acts. Other signs revealed themselves as well, like when I needed help I couldn’t get any from my peers and my family began to act distant. It was getting harder to just try and make money on the streets. But I still didn’t have an idea of what I wanted to do with my life. I had a few ideas, but never knew the way to get any of them accomplished. Then one day, someone approached me about becoming an official for a basketball tournament. This was one of the ideas I had before, being a student athlete and a big sports person, so I jumped at the opportunity. Once it began, I realized that this could be the changing in my life that me and my children needed and it was up to me to put the effort in to make this venture work.
What is officiating all about?
RW. Officiating is controlling a game; basketball game, in my case. It is being the jurisdiction on the rules of the game. It is being able to implement the rules during the game you are officiating.
What does officiating do for you?
Officiating relaxes me. It allows me to go into my own little place and enjoy being part of the game. It also allows me to help others, especially kids, understand the game.
What are some of the best experiences that you have had officiating?
So far, Las Vegas (NBA official’s camp) has been the best experience I’ve had. It’s where they hold the National Pro-Am camp for referees who want to get better at officiating. They teach you how to control and officiate basketball games. It builds your confidence up, teaches you NBA material, rules, and philosophy; there are NBA people there to teach you how to officiate.
What are some of the mistakes you see youngsters making that are similar to yours?
Not working hard and following their dreams. It can be easy to settle for whatever life presents to you, but you have to create situations sometimes, in order to get to where you want to be. I don’t think that it was coincidental for that person to have approached me to be an official. I believe I had prepared myself for good things like that to happen by working on myself; being presentable, communicable, and open for growth. So many youngsters today are not approachable, hard to talk to, and don’t have a clue on how to make themselves first become respectable people. That is sooooo important!
How can officiating have a positive effect in one’s life?
Officiating can allow one to see your country and more just because of your whistle. You get to meet people of all walks of life. It can become a career and a lifestyle. You can become a role model to kids who want to pursue other options when becoming a professional athlete seems out of reach; another profession around your sport of choice. But most importantly, to me, it shows how discipline can be added to a great creation such as basketball. With good officiating, basketball is a work of art! I guess it is my favorite pastime.
What’s next for you?
I would like to work my way into the NBA as an official. It’s an uphill battle but I am determined to reach the peak of my potential in officiating. College ball is maybe the first goal though. I like the level of competition there and the intensive play of the youth there. But ultimately, the NBA is the goal.
What message would you give to anyone aspiring to become an official?
Make sure you talk to some experienced officials before you start... try to find out what level of officiating you want to be a part of. Many different officials feel comfortable on different levels for their own personal reasons. So when one decides, study and research the way to get there. Above all, respect all aspects of the game in question and the game will respect you!
To join the 3rd Annual West Haven Referee Training Camp, Call R. Williams or D. Robinson @ 312-738-2280 or dr@nearwestsidecdc.org