The Rant

Criscia was something serious when it came to dancing. I’ve seen first hand. That’s why I couldn’t be any prouder on how she took her passion, and done sublimated it to a successful career. From humble beginnings as a cheerleader, to a college dancer at VCU, to Carnival Cruz Line, she attacked dancing with the same tenacity. Dreams were realized as she became a captain of the elite team - New York...

Forty Four is a special number to Ralph the Ref - he worship’s the arc that Hubert Davis used to shoot behind, among other greats that bestowed the numberical nomenclature. In this special commemorative pod, Ray Valeriano discusses the start of Referee Rant with it’s creator Ralph the Ref - it’s inception, it’s progress, it’s future, and oh yeah, we talk about reffing. Ray’s conversation with Ralp...

Since age 7, a young Pooch has been enthralled by the Nets. he is the new form of reporter, who started writing documents on Microsoft Word which led him to the parquet floor in downtown Brooklyn. He discusses his love of basketball, his love of flag football, and navigating being a beat writer in 2019. All that and more! My conversation with Pooch, now.

Basketball has done so much for Sky’s life thus far. He was able to play at the highest level in college, coach in the AAU circuit, and even ref at a high level in the Tri State area. We discuss his come up, his playing days, how he balances officiating and coaching, and discusses in detail his new AAU program, Sky’s the Limit. All that and more, my conversation with Sky, now.

Not only is Mike a high level official in New Jersey, he looks doing it. In this pod, we discuss him scoring 1,000 points in high school, his track and field career, and the problem he solved with his unique product - Neat Tucks. All that and more, my conversation with Mike Horrey, now.

I hope everybody gets a chance to officiate with a referee like Claire - she’s ambitious, courageous, and most importantly, professional. The Rant sits down with her to discuss her days playing Lacrosse in high school, her collegiate experience at Wesleyan College, her journey in officiating, and how she manages the two. All while pursing to be one of the few women to be a Varsity Official on the...

Karima not only has potential, she has kinetic energy. She took officiating the game of Basketball to the next level, meeting the right mentors in New Mexico and Colorado respectively. She talks about growing up, learning how to referee a basketball game, and her goals beyond. All that and more, my conversation with Karima, now.

alal has a heart of gold. Cream rises to the top, where I found him doing a AA playoff game for the Public School Athletic League in New York City. In this episode he describes his humble beginnings, his track career, how he started officiating, and how his affinity for the rules has brought him to the top. All that and more - my conversation with Jalal - now.

Episode 36, the Rant: Kevin Sparrock, Officiating at the Apex in the WNBA, Women’s Division 1 College Ball, and Making Art out of the Whole Experience of it

He can’t help it - Bernard Bowen Sr. has fingerprints in all things officiating. A staple in the 80’s in the NYC Pro Am Circuit, he leveraged his experiences and took the lessons he learned with a whistle on court, and proliferated it - spawning a slew of successful officials that are the who’s who in the world - the top referees in High School, College, and the Professional Ranks, respectively. W...

Dan Basile has found an advocation in officiating. After playing at a high level in college, he decided to make a mark in coaching, only to find out that his best fit in staying close to the game in basketball was officiating. He discusses his come up, his Stripe Life Inc. brand and his ultimate pursuit to become a Division 1 college official. All that and more, my conversation with Dan, now.

Co Host Michael Grant joins Ralph the Ref, and asks him questions on his experince at the Federation Tournament in NY State. He discusses his game, his interaction with his fellow officials, and watching Mr. Basketball play in his home crowd. All that in more, now.

A professional in every way, Derek imposed his wisdom early on me, which informed the rest of how I handled my own officiating career. He taught me how to be stern, he taught me how to be fair, and he taught me most of all, how to manage the game. The game within the game. He discusses his come up, his love of doing great Basketball in New York City, and giving it his all every time he gets on the...

Lindsay McBean and I took the Girl’s Basketball Officiating class a few years back. I’ve been on the court with her in various ways; I’ve officiated with her, I’ve seen her ask clarification for a rule while being a head coach, and I’ve seen her drive down the lane as a player that can make a lay up and make her free throws. She discusses what Basketball means to her, her experience officiating, a...

As everyone may or may not know, I could never officiate the game of Volleyball. It means too much to me, and Coach Von does as well. For all intents and purposes I’m her right hand. For 10 short weeks from August to November, we have the same goal, every year, without fail. We try to beat the very best in High School Volleyball to claim any championship we can. In this pod, Coach Von discusses he...

Stewart Davis lived a full life; so full, that it would be full if it were 2 decades ago. An accomplished official in Lacrosse, Flag Football, Volleyball, and Basketball, Stew discusses his love for sports, his addiction to thinking, and getting paid, resetting the shot clock at Knicks game, all the while having fun with it. Side bar, CONGRATS TO STEWART FOR ADDING FEDERATION BASKETBALL OFFICIAL T...

G3G Basketball has already been a success. They have taught countless young men and women to reach new heights and skill in the game of Basketball. Devrinn and Gabby talk about their own journeys within the game of Basketball, how they met, their experiencing playing and coaching, and even officiating. But most importantly is to give back to the new crop of kids, hence G3G Basketball. My conversat...

Joe Flick is an inspiration to us at Referee Rant. As you know I go to championship games annually, and pit myself with the other refs to reflect on if I am ready. Joe participated in one of these championship games, this year, thus starting our friendship. Aside from being an amazing husband and father, he can blow the whistle with the best of them - as he services Division 2 men’s Basketball, Do...

For nearly 5 decades, Ernie Rudloff has put an imprint in the refereeing game, especially in the Northeast region. Aside from his many, many accolades, some of which include officiating Division one for both the Men’s and Women’s side, he is an inspiration, a mentor, and a friend to many who he's had the pleasure to teach as the rule interpreter to Board 119 - the professionals. This is a wide-ran...

Jason Gant is a renaissance man when it comes to officiating. We share a bond as Ravens fans, and surely he ref’s like a Raven. How many people do you know ref Division 1 Football Division 2 Women’s Basketball, all the while have time to run a successful intramural program at a local college? Jason can! My conversation with Jason, now.

We sit down with Jared Jacobson, New York City A veteran, and Men’s College Official. He discusses his origins in officiating in Boston, his experience with reffing the best games in NYC, and his pursuit to become a Division 1 Men’s College Official. All that and more. My conversation with Jared Jacobson, now.

Fabian lights up in anything he’s involved with; whether it’s being a Dean of a high school, being a Salsa Instructor, being a great husband, and of course when it comes to officiating the game of Basketball. It’s a great conversation where Fabe discusses his love for basketball, nutrition, the greatness of The Rock, and loving the process much more than the goal itself. All that and more. My conv...

Although I met him through Basketball, I learned in 4 quarters that John is an official's official. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience, that includes Championship games in Soccer, High Level Basketball, and his favorite sport - Lacrosse. He discusses his battles in each sport, and his interesting stories of conflicted interest. All that and more - my conversation with John, now.

I’ve been to many many battles with Barry Getzoff. A great man who officiates Basketball and Baseball, and added a sport that’s near and dear to my heart - Flag Football. We discuss how he got into officiating, his experiences in New York, and how it compares to Florida. My conversation with Barry, now.

In Brazil, Footbol is king. But somewhere along the way, Cassio found a love of officiating in Basketball. He went to Australia, and back to Brazil only to live and tell the tale. This young man heard the podcast, THE RANT, abroad and wanted to hop on. Ah, the beauty of technology. He discusses his love for balling, his new love of officiating, and his plot to bring his A game, to see what it’s li...