‘It’s a labor of love’: Officiating crew brings 97 years experience to court

By Gene Phelps

Corinth Today

Donnie McKay pilots his four-door black Toyota Tacoma into a gas station parking lot near The Mall At Barnes Crossing to pick up fellow high school basketball official, Frank Dorrough.

In 15 minutes, they’ll be joined by another referee, Johnny Davis, at McDonalds in Baldwyn, then continue to motor up Hwy. 45 to their destination.

The “old guys” – as they’re known by coaches – are headed for an assignment in Biggersville on a freezing January night in Northeast Mississippi. The three together have 97 years of officiating experience – McKay (40 years), Davis (32), Dorrough (25).

“It’s a labor of love,” said McKay, who began officiating games at age 19. “We love to go, we love the game. We love a good ballgame about as much now as we ever did.”

They don’t do it for the money. Wearing a zebra shirt gets you $90 for two games. When it comes to day jobs, McKay is in the printing business, Davis works for the postal service and Dorrough is in the trucking business.

All three have high school basketball connections to state championship-winning coaches – McKay to Hatley’s Harry Adair, Davis to Baldwyn’s Larry McKay and Dorrough to Ingomar’s Norris Ashley.

“We all know Xs and Os coaches. That’s how we were taught the game. The rule book hasn’t changed. We as referees have changed,” McKay said, referring to the game’s younger officials.

For the record – and for those conspiracy theorists who believe games are sometimes fixed – the referees don’t get an extra dime, no matter a game’s outcome.

“I wore out Belmont years ago calling games for Malcolm Kuykendall,” McKay said.

“People used to think Kuykendall had adopted you,” Davis said, then laughed.

“I’ve had folks ask me, ‘How many games you won for Shannon? How many games you won for Tupelo?” McKay said, then smiled.

The conversation then turned to an upcoming game between Ingomar and Baldwyn, now division foes in 1-2A.

“We can work that one,” Davis said tongue in cheek. “I can be for Baldwyn, Frank for Ingomar and Donnie can be for both of them.”

They all chuckle.

When they arrived at Biggersville, a game manager awaits and shows them to their dressing quarters. They’re paid before the first ball bounces.

“We’ve dressed in bathrooms, P.E. gyms, campers,” Davis said.

“We’ve lost keys, left shoes, forgot pants, hats, lost glasses,” McKay said.

“… And just this year,” Dorrough added.

Loving smaller gyms

Biggersville’s older gym is a favorite of the trio. They love the smaller venues, the heavily-varnished floors, the vocal crowds right on top of you.

“That’s where your diehards are, the smaller gyms,” Dorrough said.

Prior to the girls game, McKay meets with the captains from both teams. The players get a dose of his folksy pregame instructions: “Y’all behave yourself girls. Do what your coaches say to do. Leave the hand-checking alone; we’re going to call that. Y’all smile and have a good time. Good luck.”

Both games go off without a hitch … no technicals, no ejections.

“We know it when we miss a call,” McKay said. “First thing we’ll do is tell a coach, ‘We missed it.’ We’re not doing it on purpose; we just miss it. It’s going to happen.”

They all dress quickly postgame and discuss things other than the basketball games they just officiated.

“I usually don’t have a clue what the score of the game was,” Dorrough said.

“I come home from a game and my wife will say, ‘Who won?’, and I don’t know,” Davis said.

The veteran officiating team could be breaking up this season if McKay, for health reasons (his knee), decides to retire. Dorrough is working less these days because the trucking business requires more of his attention. Davis, who sat out five seasons when his son played high school baseball, has cut back.

“I don’t take it for granted,” McKay said.

Dorrough still enjoys getting the call from McKay and hearing, “Let’s go call a game tonight!”

“It’s going to be hard to walk away from it,” Dorrough said.

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