Whistleblower: Rooting for the Ref in the High-Stakes World of College Basketball

Bob Katz went on a season-long journey with college basketball referees, observing their games, locker room conversations, and the challenges they faced. He portrayed them as consummate professionals who strive for fairness and neutrality, despite being alone in the stadium and often overlooked. Katz highlights the importance of referees in maintaining the playing field and the challenges they face in a partisan society.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 30 December 2020
Publisher: University of New Mexico Press

Bob Katz embarked on a season-long journey alongside college basketball referees, immersing himself in their world by observing their games, engaging in candid conversations in locker rooms and hotel lobbies, and delving into the formidable challenges they routinely faced. Standing apart from the thousands in the stadium and millions watching from home, the referee's sole focus is on fairness and neutrality, disregarding the outcome of the match. His unwavering passion to maintain a level playing field is deeply rooted in his character, rigorous training, and a unique sense of honor that is often overlooked. Through this captivating portrayal, Katz achieves an extraordinary feat in The Whistleblower, captivating readers to genuinely root for the referee. In a poignant afterword, Katz reflects on the often misunderstood and disparaged role of referees in sports and the concerning implications for our increasingly divided society.

Weight: 318g
Dimension: 140 x 214 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780826361981