Podcast
The Crown Refs Podcast
Hosted by Paul Diasparra · EN
The Crown Refs Podcast is the ultimate audio experience for basketball officials looking to elevate their craft, build confidence, and achieve long-term success on and off the court. Hosted by Paul Diasparra, this podcast helps referees master their skills, refine their judgment, and develop a strong officiating mindset. It features top names in officiating like Joey Crawford, Roger Ayers, Dee Kantner, Maia Chaka, Lisa Mattingly, Tyler Ford, Penny Davis, Reggie Greenwood, Scott Foster, Al Battista, Crystal Hogan, Bo Boroski, Gary Vee, Clarence Armstrong, and more. #Servethegame
18episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
#430 Common Ground for Officials & Coaches | w/Austin McBeth | Creator of The Film Room
2w ago01:54:17Tap to summarizeWhat happens when a coach, a former D1 athlete, and a veteran basketball official sit down and actually watch game film together? This episode features Austin — former Iowa State basketball and football player, high school head coach, and creator of the fast-growing YouTube channel The Film Room — in one of the most honest coach-referee conversations you’ll hear.Austin brings real game film from his season and asks the hard questions coaches are always thinking but rarely get answered: What actually makes a screen illegal? When does a roll man become a cutter — and does that distinction even matter to an official? Why does the same contact get whistled in the second half when it sailed through the first?It all gets broken down through a live film review of borderline screens, wash-outs, hand checks, and driving fouls — drawing the line between what’s technically illegal and what actually rises to the level of stopping the game.The biggest takeaways from this episode go beyond any single call. Austin makes a compelling case that understanding how officials see the game makes coaches better, not just more tolerant of officiating. The episode also challenges the idea that knowing a team’s scheme helps officials — arguing that preconceived notions actually hurt judgment and that every play has to be evaluated in isolation.They dig into Rule 10-14 on hand checking, the “wash out” screening technique showing up at every level, why defensive effort makes illegal contact more visible to officials, why proactive communication from refs can prevent problems before they escalate, and why coaches should always bring one specific play instead of a halftime summary when they want real answers. Essential viewing for coaches, players, and officials who want to stop talking past each other and actually understand what the other side is seeing.💪 Join the CommunityPatreon.com/crownrefs
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#429 The Call I almost Missed | A year without a cell phone | Tommy Short | Former Pac-12 Official, Author, Speaker
Mar 2801:15:51Tap to summarizeTommy Short is a former NCAA Division I men’s basketball official who built an impressive career working across multiple conferences before making the rare decision to step away in his mid-30s — not because he was “done,” but because he was crystal clear on his priorities. In this in-person sit-down in Times Square, Tommy rewinds the story from his early days getting started at 18, the mentors who shaped him (including John Adams), and the moment he realized he didn’t want to become a “FaceTime dad.” He shares why walking away at the peak of his officiating trajectory was one of the hardest — and best — decisions he’s ever made.In this episode, we cover:A year without a cell phone — why he did it, what it taught him, and how it changed his relationship with presenceInternal stillness — what it is, why officials need it, and how to develop it under pressureDecisiveness + leadership — owning calls and making hard decisions when everything’s loudTough conversations — feedback, accountability, and how elite crews communicateThe “boring” habits that create excellence — sleep, preparation, discipline, and consistencyThe book + key takeaways — what he wants you to do with these lessons starting now⛺️ Register for the Crown Refs Skill Development Camphttps://stan.store/crownrefs/p/crown-refs-skill-development-camp-tmq5jdse🤝 Join the Community Patreon.com/crownrefs
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#428 Disabled, Not Unable | with Ryan Cadres | IAABO Board 54 President | Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month
Mar 2100:55:48Tap to summarizeIn this moving episode, Ryan Cadres joins the Crown Refs Podcast in honor of Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month to share his powerful journey through officiating, leadership, and life. A 27-year official, current president of IAABO Board 54 in Massachusetts, and longtime varsity girls basketball referee, Ryan opens up about what it has meant to navigate the officiating world while living with cerebral palsy. He speaks candidly about confidence, courage, trust, and the emotional weight of being seen as “different” before ever blowing the opening whistle. Ryan reflects on the hardships he’s faced — from insensitive comments and whispered judgments to moments of real pain and doubt — while also showing how officiating has become one of the greatest therapeutic outlets in his life, a place where he feels strong, capable, and fully himself.The conversation is filled with meaningful takeaways far beyond basketball. Ryan shares how he adapts mechanics and movement to fit his body, why trust from assigners and partners has meant so much throughout his journey, and how he has turned his story into a mission to advocate for others with disabilities. He also discusses his annual awareness efforts each March, the fundraising he’s done for United Cerebral Palsy, and the message behind his growing platform: there is a major difference between being disabled and being unable. This episode is about far more than officiating — it’s about resilience, perspective, humanity, and the reminder to be kinder, more thoughtful, and more understanding toward every person we encounter. Ryan’s story will challenge you, inspire you, and leave you with a deeper appreciation for courage, both on and off the court.To Support Ryan's missionhttps://www.customink.com/s/2026-cerebral-palsy-awareness-month⛺️ Register for the Crown Refs Skill Development Camphttps://stan.store/crownrefs/p/crown-refs-skill-development-camp-tmq5jdse🤝 Join the Community Patreon.com/crownrefs
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#427 Raising the Standards | The Rocky Road to Good Sportsmanship | with Brenda Hilton | Officiallyhuman.org
Mar 1400:58:17Tap to summarizeBrenda Hilton returns to the Crown Refs Podcast for a thoughtful conversation about her pioneering work through Officially Human and the long-term mission of restoring respect for sports officials. Brenda shares the evolution of the organization from its early days to its current nonprofit model, reflecting on the growing reach of its message, the importance of fundraising with purpose, and the latest initiatives helping humanize officials across the country. A major highlight of the conversation is the launch and success of Officially Human’s new activity book, a creative and impactful tool designed to introduce young people to officiating, explain multiple sports in a kid-friendly way, and show a new generation that officials are real people with stories, purpose, and value. The episode also touches on Officially Human’s expanding partnerships with college conferences, digital learning programs, downloadable resources, and its broader vision for 2026 and beyond.The conversation goes far beyond updates, though, and gets into the heart of the officiating experience today. Brenda and Paul discuss the ongoing decline in sportsmanship, why abuse toward officials has not improved, and how money, pressure, and youth sports culture continue to make the environment harder for officials at every level. They explore the importance of mentoring, why younger officials need support and real development instead of simply being thrown onto courts and fields, and how proactive game management and stronger communication with coaches can protect both officials and the game itself. The episode also highlights the power of positive messaging, the need to celebrate respectful interactions in sports, and the role content creators and organizations can play in changing the narrative around officiating. This is a meaningful, future-focused episode about leadership, advocacy, creativity, and why the fight for better sportsmanship matters now more than ever.⛺️ Register for the Crown Refs Skill Development Camphttps://stan.store/crownrefs/p/crown-refs-skill-development-camp-tmq5jdse🤝 Join the Community Patreon.com/crownrefs
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#426 Rapid Responses 14 | The Heavy-Duty Toolset for Stronger Communication | Read the article on SubStack
Mar 700:30:05Tap to summarizeRapid Responses 14 is a heavy-duty toolset built to help officials communicate with coaches more effectively and manage games with confidence. This episode goes beyond quick one-liners — it lays out a complete game management system for handling everything from demands for explanations to bench decorum, exaggerated complaints, and attempts to divide the crew.Inside, you’ll hear practical rapid responses and frameworks that help you set boundaries, stay professional under pressure, and keep the game moving — including: how to stop coaches from holding up play to vent, a four-step approach to assessing behavior over time, stronger language swaps that instantly raise your credibility, and proven lines for foul-count complaints, “didn’t you hear the slap,” cross-court yelling, and criticism of your partner.The episode also covers bigger mental skills: separating personal relationships from professional responsibilities, using “go narrow” to regain control of vague complaints, sending teams to the bench when temperature rises, and staying emotionally disciplined when profanity or negativity shows up. The result is a clear, repeatable playbook that helps you become a tactical communicator who can handle any coach in any gym — while protecting the crew, the players, and the integrity of the game.📖 Read full article https://crownrefs.substack.com/p/rapid-responses?r=2gcoxy⛺️ Register for the Crown Refs Skill Development Camphttps://stan.store/crownrefs/p/crown-refs-skill-development-camp-tmq5jdse🤝 Join the Community Patreon.com/crownrefs
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#425 Community Chats 4 | February "26
Feb 2801:00:05Tap to summarizeIn this community chat, we connect with officials from across the country—talking weather cancellations, getting back on the floor, and sharing real-game updates from recent varsity and college assignments. From there, we get into coach management: why predicting “this coach never says a word” is a trap, why every official’s experience can be different with the same coach, and how to be ready when the “quiet one” suddenly becomes vocal. We also dig into mindset—moving toward problems instead of avoiding them, reframing coach encounters as opportunities to lead, and focusing on the kind of rapport that matters most: respect earned through professionalism and performance.Then we go practical with mechanics and crew habits that level up your game. We break down double whistles (post and hold, no prelim signals, give it to the primary, and get together when it’s travel-before-foul), patience with the whistle, and why three-person often means less rotating—not more. We also share a cleaner halftime model—stop broad summaries and go play-by-play on specific moments—plus the growth formula: master the rules, get intentional reps, capture film, and review quickly to accelerate. The conversation closes with reminders about being firm without being emotional, supporting partners through tough nights, and staying grounded in peace and positivity while serving the game.⛺️ Register for the Crown Refs Skill Development Camphttps://stan.store/crownrefs/p/crown-refs-skill-development-camp-tmq5jdse🤝 Join the Community Patreon.com/crownrefs
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#424 quiet CONFIDENCE | Handling Coaches, Critics, & Pressure
Feb 700:24:10Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Paul sits down for a wide-ranging conversation that traces his journey from physical education teacher to multi-level basketball official — and ultimately to building Crown Refs as a global education and mentorship platform. He opens up about his early years in officiating, the mistakes and gaps that shaped him, and how struggles with game management and coach communication became the catalyst for the Rapid Response system. Paul also reflects, quietly but honestly, on navigating early resistance and criticism as the platform grew — choosing humility, consistency, and purpose over ego, and trusting that impact would win out over time.The discussion dives into practical, on-court teaching: how to communicate rulings without over-talking, why conviction matters more than convincing, and how to balance rulebook language with coach-friendly explanations. Paul breaks down some of the hardest calls in the game, shares insights on anticipation and positioning, and explains why modern officiating requires both technical sharpness and emotional intelligence. The episode closes with a look ahead at the Crown Refs Skill Development Camp in Fort Wayne, highlighting a holistic approach to growth — signals, movement, communication, leadership, and character — all grounded in the belief that the best officials keep getting better, one possession at a time.⛺️ Register for the Crown Refs Skill Development Camphttps://stan.store/crownrefs/p/crown-refs-skill-development-camp-tmq5jdse🤝 Join the Community Patreon.com/crownrefs
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#423 Community Chats | Join the Crown Refs Community on Patreon
Jan 3101:07:31Tap to summarizeThis community chat covers real challenges basketball officials face every week — from difficult coach interactions and rule disputes to game control, mechanics, and critical decision-making under fire. This discussion explores how officials can maintain authority without escalating situations, why proactive communication matters, and how understanding both the rules and the feel of the game is essential for consistent, credible officiating. The community also touches on the value of cross-collaboration between officials at different levels and across men’s and women’s games, highlighting how shared perspectives accelerate growth and awareness.Key takeaways centered on practical game-management habits that separate reactive officiating from intentional control. Topics included when (and when not) to issue technical fouls, how to shut down unsporting behavior early, handling layered or confusing plays with proper sequencing, and slowing the game down during high-stakes moments to avoid compounding errors. Officials also discussed adapting mechanics when working multiple levels, using confident but composed language with coaches, and the importance of crew communication before explanations are given. Overall theme: fearless professionalism, clear boundaries, and community-driven learning are what lead to long-term growth and better games. ⛺️ Register for the Crown Refs Skill Development Camphttps://stan.store/crownrefs/p/crown-refs-skill-development-camp-tmq5jdse🤝 Join the Community Patreon.com/crownrefs
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#422 The Clinician's Corner 3 | Attend our 2026 Camp
Jan 2401:02:32Tap to summarizeIn this Clinician’s Corner, the focus was on the small details that separate “solid” from truly sharp officiating — especially in end-of-period situations and administrative moments that can quietly swing a game. The crew emphasized mechanical discipline: confirming 2 vs. 3, holding signals an extra beat, and always completing the full sequence (stop the clock → signal → strong direction → proper spot). We also hit a sneaky area that often gets missed — throw-in violations where a player steps out and illegally tosses the ball to a teammate. Add in reminders to use your voice on held balls and scrums, acknowledge sportsmanship when players help each other up, and stay aware of the bonus, and you get a masterclass in presence and clarity. 🎯The second half zoomed in on the presentation layer — signals, posture, cadence, and crew awareness. Key reminders included: avoid marginal whistles while rotating unless it’s obvious; stay open and never officiate looking over your shoulder; eliminate excess signals on the spot (save block/charge mechanics for true B/C plays and “two shots” for real tweeners); and clean up table work by running or jogging in, planting, then reporting. We also covered high-value micro-fixes: straighten hand counts, tuck fingers (no loose pinkies), don’t point around your body on timeouts, avoid pointing at boundary lines on OOB, and use non-verbal communication (nods, eye contact) to give calls to your partner without creating visual confusion. The overall theme was simple: confidence shows up in the snap, the stop, the posture, and the polish 💪🏀 — capped off with a great cameo from Roger Ayers, sharing perspective from his Final Four experience and what true crew trust and preparation really look like at the highest level.⛺️https://stan.store/crownrefs/p/crown-refs-skill-development-camp-tmq5jdse🏀Join our Community @patreon.com/crownrefs
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#421 Beyond the Whistle | feat. Dr. David Walker | Leadership Speaker & Former D1 Official
Jan 1701:04:16Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Crown Refs Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. David M. Walker, a former NCAA Division I basketball referee, longtime physical education teacher, school administrator, pastor, and nationally respected leadership speaker. Dr. Walker shares his remarkable journey from starting as an intramural official to building a 25-year Division I officiating career, all while teaching in New York City schools. His story lives at the intersection of the court, the classroom, and leadership, offering officials a powerful perspective on how teaching, officiating, and life experience shape presence, confidence, and authority.Throughout the conversation, Dr. Walker introduces his leadership philosophy often referred to as “Beyond the Whistle”—the idea that true leadership isn’t rooted in titles or symbols of authority, but in influence, composure, and communication. He challenges officials to move beyond simply enforcing rules and instead focus on influencing the game. From handling adversity and mistakes to developing a unique officiating style, this episode is rich with wisdom on resilience, self-awareness, and long-term growth—both on and off the floor.1️⃣ Using composure and mindset to influence game flow ⚖️2️⃣ Why leadership goes beyond the whistle, uniform, or title 🧠3️⃣ The difference between umpiring a game and refereeing it 👀4️⃣ How to learn from mistakes without losing confidence 🔁5️⃣ Avoiding comparison and developing your own officiating style 🚫📊6️⃣ Building resilience through adversity, setbacks, and change 💪7️⃣ Why officiating is one of the greatest leadership classrooms in life 👑This episode is a masterclass in leadership, mindset, and growth for officials at every level.Episode Takeaways 🎧👇
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