How to Find Value in Your Varsity Evaluations: Embracing Growth Over Bias

As an official, I’ve come to learn that evaluations, particularly at the varsity level, are one of the most significant tools for growth. But let's be real—evaluations can sometimes feel like more of a test of politics than of proficiency. If you've been around long enough, you've probably heard the whispers: "That evaluator is friends with so-and-so," or "They’ve worked together for years; of course, they’re getting better scores."

Those kinds of frustrations can weigh on you, especially when you’re striving to climb the ranks but feel overlooked or undervalued due to what appears to be privilege or bias.

I’ve been there, and I’ve felt those emotions deeply.

It’s hard not to stew when you see favoritism seemingly at play, when you know someone got a glowing review not necessarily because of their skills but because of their connections. But over time, I’ve realized that dwelling on these frustrations doesn’t serve me. In fact, it only distracts me from the one thing I can control: myself.

This post isn’t about denying the reality of bias—it exists, and it can be frustrating. But it’s about how to take value from evaluations despite it. If we’re going to grow as officials, we need to shift our perspective and focus on what we can learn from the process, not just what we dislike about it. Here’s how I’ve learned to let go of what I can’t control and find real value in varsity evaluations.

Step 1: Acknowledge the Reality of Bias Without Letting It Define You

Bias exists because humans are imperfect. Whether it’s favoritism toward friends, sweet equity built over years of collaboration, or subconscious preferences, evaluators are not immune to their own humanity. And yes, sometimes it stings when you see someone benefiting from it while you’re grinding away to improve your craft.

Here’s the thing: you can’t change bias. You can’t force evaluators to see you differently, and you can’t undo someone else’s relationships or history. But you can choose how much power you give to those realities. Are you going to let the possibility of bias consume you? Or will you focus on proving to yourself that you’re improving, no matter what anyone else says?

Step 2: Shift Your Perspective on Evaluations

Instead of seeing evaluations as a judgment of your worth or a gatekeeping mechanism, start viewing them as a tool for growth. Even if you feel like someone else’s feedback is biased, there’s almost always something constructive you can take from it.

Ask yourself these questions when you receive an evaluation:

• What specific mechanics, positioning, or judgment calls were critiqued?

• Are there recurring themes in your feedback from multiple evaluators?

• How does the feedback align with what you’ve seen in your game film?

When you start approaching evaluations with curiosity rather than defensiveness, they become less about validation and more about personal development. The evaluator’s bias becomes secondary to the insights you can extract.

Step 3: Use Film as Your Anchor

Film doesn’t lie. If you’re ever feeling uncertain about the fairness of an evaluation, film is your best ally. Watch your game footage critically and compare it to your feedback. Are the critiques valid? Are there moments where your mechanics were off, your judgment could have been sharper, or your positioning could have been better?

For me, film has been a game-changer. It removes emotion and replaces it with clarity. Evaluators might bring their biases, but when you focus on what the film shows, you can ground yourself in objective truths. Use it to:

• Identify patterns in your performance.

• Spot areas for improvement that evaluators may have highlighted.

• Build confidence by recognizing what you’re doing well.

  
  

Step 4: Focus on What You Can Control

This is perhaps the most important lesson I’ve learned. There are countless things in officiating you can’t control: the evaluator’s history with other officials, who gets assigned to marquee games, or how the local association prioritizes friendships over merit. But what you can control is how you respond to those realities.

Here are some ways to take control:

• Commit to Consistency: Work on delivering consistent mechanics, calls, and communication regardless of the game or evaluator. Consistency is the hallmark of a great official, and it’s something that can’t be denied over time.

• Embrace Feedback: Even if you suspect bias, look for the grain of truth in every piece of feedback. Sometimes the critiques that sting the most are the ones we need to hear.

• Invest in Relationships: While it’s easy to resent those with "connections," building your own relationships within the officiating community can open doors and foster mutual respect. Just ensure those relationships are built on professionalism, not favoritism.

  
  

  

  
  

Step 5: Let Go of What You Can’t Control

This step is easier said than done, but it’s the most liberating. When you let go of the things you can’t control—bias, favoritism, privilege—you free yourself to focus entirely on your growth. You stop wasting energy on resentment and start channeling it into improving your craft.

I’ve had moments where I felt like evaluations were unfairly harsh compared to what I saw on film. I’ve also had moments where I thought an evaluator overlooked strong aspects of my performance. But in the end, none of that mattered. What mattered was that I kept working, kept improving, and kept showing up with the mindset that every game was an opportunity to get better.

Step 6: Recognize That Growth Takes Time

Climbing the ranks in officiating is not a sprint—it’s a marathon. The evaluators who seem biased today might be the same ones advocating for you tomorrow when your growth becomes undeniable. The officials who seem to benefit from privilege now might plateau while you continue to rise.

Your journey is unique, and your progress is yours alone. Stay patient and trust that consistent improvement will pay off, even if it takes longer than you’d like.

Step 7: Redefine Success

Finally, redefine what success looks like for you. It’s easy to get caught up in wanting to be assigned to the biggest games or recognized as one of the top officials in your association. But success doesn’t always mean climbing the ranks quickly. Sometimes, it’s about building a reputation for integrity, reliability, and growth over time.

Conclusion: The Key Is Letting Go

Evaluations are not perfect. They’re conducted by humans with all their biases, preferences, and flaws. Privilege and favoritism might feel like they’re ruining the ranks of officiating, but only if you let them. The key is to focus on what you can control: your attitude, your effort, and your willingness to grow.

When you let go of the things you can’t control, evaluations stop being a source of frustration and start being a tool for progress. So watch your film, embrace feedback, and show up ready to improve every single time. Over time, your growth will speak louder than any evaluator’s bias ever could.