Dave Delchamps writes:
>	I hadn't planned on adding to the Pierre Belanger discussion,
>but I decided finally that my "alternative" viewpoint needed to be aired.
>As a Cornell fan, I have witnessed Pierre at what some consider to be
>his worst --- taunting, finger-pointing, mean-spirited, and volatile.
>On the other hand, I must admit that he is an exceptionally talented
>referee in the sense that his vision and sense of what is going on in
>a game appear to be second to none.  He comes across as omniscient;
>he shines in the "pure ability" category when compared to such referees
>as Terry Kirby (he used to be ECAC --- is he still around in Hockey East?)
>and Michael St. Louis (aka "St. Clueless").  In my view, he is capable
>of calling a game any way he wants to ---- I really think he *does* see
>everything in the sense that he's on top of every play; I don't mean
>to say that he calls everything "correctly" (I've seen him have problems
>especially with goal/no goal calls).
 
Apparently, Pierre does have his good and bad points (as any
ref/player/coach/human does). His refing ability doesn't seem in
doubt by Dave, however this doesn't excuse him for breaking the
cardinal rule of refing...never openly admit you're biased. When
a ref openly admits that he doesn't like a certain school, this
destroys his credibility. When a ref loses his credibility, he cannot
ref effectively. In order for a ref to mantain control, he must at
least have the appearance of being impartial! If Cornell's coach
(Brian McKutcheon, I believe) goes into a game refed by Pierre and
he knows that Pierre has admitted to hating the school, then Brian
will jump all over the first marginal call Pierre makes. Since Pierre
hates the school, this will only aggrivate the situation and make
Pierre madder...and this becomes and endless cycle (unless McKutcheon
gets kicked out) and Pierre ends up losing control of the game.
No matter how good any ref is, the first qualification for being
a ref is impartiality.
 
 
>	He does, in my view, need to learn to control his temper.  A referee
>is almost not allowed to be "human."  I have seen many instances,
>particularly involving French-Canadian players, in which Pierre's
>childish behavior appeared even to embarrass the linesmen (they glanced
>at each other and shook their heads while Pierre wasn't looking).
 
Dave is right about the "...almost not allowed to be 'human'" part.
But a ref knows that when he goes in. My dad refs 3 sports and he
tells me that a ref will make mistakes because he's human. But he also
said that no ref can let personal biases interfere with his judgement.
If he thinks that might be a problem, he shouldn't accept the game. I
know my dad never refed any football game that my brother was involved
with for just that reason. A ref must remain composed at all times or
else he loses players/coaches respect. Back to the credibility
argument.
 
In conclusion, I'm sorry Pierre can't control his temper but each
team has the right to go into the game feeling that they'll get
a fair shake. It's a shame if his talent goes to waste but maybe he could move
to Hockey East or at the very least, not work Cornell games.
 
-------------------------------------------
Bri Farenell
Clarkson '95
[log in to unmask]
__________________________________________
HOPING TO WATCH THE KNIGHTS ON APRIL 4
C U IN ALBANY
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"Offense is personality; defense is character."
---Herb Brooks, head coach, Utica Devils (AHL)
 
(GO B'S)