Not many can attest to doing anything for 42 years, but for more than the last four decades, Bink Losoncy has been wearing stripes.
Of course he has also taken his turn officiating hockey and volleyball, but he is most recognizable to hoopsters.
“It’s enjoyable to get out there and watch these kids develop their skills,” said Losoncy. They start in Grade 7, and by Grade 11 or 12, they are quite skilled. I also appreciate all the time that coaches spend.”
He started officiating in 1969, his first year teaching in the valley. Today he has a closet of uniforms from the ages, and a library of rulebooks from the different eras. He has seen thousands of players develop and grow on the court. He has seen a quite a few referees as well, including Jim Kriger, who was the DCHS principal when Losoncy began and former teacher Bob Hartog. Matthew Rosgen began to referee as a student, and went on to referee at the national level.
Patience is a virtue when it comes to officiating, so is being able to tune out players, coaches and spectators, who may have a difference of opinion on a call.
“I am discriminatory in what I hear,” he laughs, adding to be a good official takes skill and teamwork.
He said he was not a huge basketball fan before he began officiating. He does fondly remember from his student days the Goose Lake Line Basketball League.
“It stretched all the way from Carbon to Oyen,” he said. “It was quite a league. As a student, I would go and watch. I enjoyed watching the games, and it was really good basketball.”
Seeing as much cage as Losoncy has, he has learned a lot about the game.
“I often find myself watching and I am a firm believer that defence wins basketball games. I really appreciate defensive play. We all can appreciate the spectacular offensive plays, but the hard nose defence I appreciate watching even more.”
He says he has seen a number of officials come and go for a variety of reasons.
“A lot of the young referees leave due to a number of factors, one being the attitude of some fans and some coaches. They get to the point where they say, ‘I don’t need this.’ And of course, in Drumheller some of the younger ones take it up, and then they leave to go to school. They might continue their careers while they are at college,” he said.
Today there is still a need for referees, and Losoncy fits a niche. Because he is retired he is able to officiate some of the early games that others are not able to because of employment. It also pays for a few rounds of golf and allows him some exercise during the off-the-links season.
The Three Hills Basketball Officials Association serves the Drumheller area. For more information, contact Bob Fisher at 403-823-7501.
