Sous Chef Mason

My interactions with Mason's family have been in a weird order. First, I met Lily, his youngest sister because her best friend is sisters with one of my best friends. Then, I met Kelby, his brother who is my age while competing in Comedy Sportz. Next, his dad was announced as the new president of Guerin. Finally, I meet Mason in ref training when he was a head official. I now work with both Mason and Kelby. The family has circled around my life for some time now and I am very grateful for it.

I think I was recruited:

I did not have "a person" so to speak on the staff for intramurals walking into training this semester. I got there early on the first day, sat down near some people, but not directly next to anyone. Mason was already in the room talking to people but ended up welcoming me and sitting down next to me. This was very helpful for me to get comfortable with the staff. I don't think it was intentional, but not long after Mason asked me to play on his outdoor 3v3 basketball team. This was a test run. I impressed enough with my long arms that I got the invite to play on his tournament team and now the intramural team. Somewhere along the line, the staff gave me the name "Slick Willy." It sounds like a con artist name, but I'll take it as being slick in the sports I play. Mason solidified this nickname for me. Looking back on the path I took to be on his team, it kind of felt like I had a recruitment process and tryout. The team has been fun to play on and I am by far not the best player which makes passing more fun.

Qualities about Mason I admire:

1) Excellence is in the details. There has never been a person better suit to be a referee than Mason. He gets into conversations about the smallest mechanics differences. The way you flick your wrist or the way you bounce the ball are all important to him. He continues to watch and improve himself. I think this extreme attention to detail is an admirable quality that I am trying to replicate.

2) Confidence in his knowledge. He has an immense bank of knowledge for the things he loves. Basketball is a highly contestable/argument-heavy sport. Mason always expresses what he knows with confidence that deters most complaints. He commands attention and refuses to let people overwhelm him.

3) Mason has a takeover mentality. I have never had this mentality which is why my drive for basketball stopped. For some reason, I did not want to take every shot or make every play. Mason has no fear on a basketball/handball court. He will shoot every shot if he needs to. Yet, I think this mentality has grace in other areas. Mason plans to be a teacher and I am sure his takeover mentality gives him the ability to have confidence in any question or situation.

4) Mason shares. Mason is a good enough ref that he does not need to be on the intramural courts. I saw him on a Lebron James Jr. highlight real if that tells you the quality of basketball that he's capable of officiating. Yet, he comes in and refs most games with newbies and teaches them how to grow by providing feedback. I think it is a testament to his character. He also just really loves watching basketball.

Mason:

While I do not have the love for officiating basketball that you do, I am inspired by the love you have for it. I want to care about every little detail about something like you do. I want to be able to have confidence with all that I know and share it to help others. I want to be able to take over the situations put in front of me with grace. Thank you for being an example and welcoming me into the intramural supervisor family.