Moylan officially on the ball

KEENE, N.H. 1/28/10 - Jimmy Moylan is always on the move. By day a salesman for Clarke Distributors in Keene and by night a high school and college official, the Salem, N.H., native could be in Manchester, Conn., in the morning and in Manchester, N.H., that evening.

"Traveling goes with the territory," said Moylan, who got a rare chance to stay home last Thursday night and officiate the Keene State men's basketball game against LaSalle College.

Moylan is no stranger to Spaulding Gym. A 1972 KSC alum, he has returned to the gym numerous times during his 33-year officiating career, handling college contests as well as games in the Cheshire Tire/Ted Shoe & Sport Holiday Basketball Festival.

"It's fun to come back," said Moylan, who is also a top high school football referee and baseball umpire. "It was a much smaller school when I came here."

Moylan originally earned a liberal arts degree at Keene State before coming back a year later when men were accepted in the physical education program. Officiating intramural football and basketball games for the hefty sum of $5 as an undergraduate, he also worked some scrimmages for then coach Glenn Theulen and picked up a few games at Keene Middle School. "I kind of fell in love with it," said Moylan. "A couple of officials told me, ‘If you think you can do a better job, why don't you try it?' So I did."

Moylan began building a reputation as a reliable referee early in his career, handling varsity high school games in just his second year on the job. Thirty-one years later, he's still on the job and still handling plum assignments, including state championships in all three sports.

Moylan says basketball is by far the hardest of the three. The sport can put mileage on your car and body. "Basketball has the most wear-and-tear of all the sports," he said. "You're running, stopping, and changing direction so much. It takes a toll on your legs."

Dealing with the coaches, players, and fans is also part of the job description. "Half of the fans think that you're wrong 50% of the time," he said.

As far as coaches and players are concerned, Moylan says communication is the key. "In the heat of battle it is sometimes difficult to have the time to explain every call, but I'll always make the effort during a timeout to address issues with coaches," he said.

"Jimmy is a great guy," said KSC coach Rob Colbert. "I think he enjoys officiating more than probably the paycheck pays. He really knows the game and loves being around the teams."

When it comes to the players, Moylan says it's all about respect. "We try to treat each other with respect all the time," he said. "Sometimes kids get hot, and we try to smooth it over so we don't have any confrontations."

Despite his many years in the business, Moylan is always looking to improve. He constantly talks to his fellow officials and watches the professional and college referees with a keen eye. Conversely, Moylan enjoys helping younger officials who are new to the game.

"He took me under his wing when I first got here and showed me how to administer a game," said Pat Hearn, a member of the KSC athletic staff, who has worked baseball games with Moylan. "He's one of the best officials we've had around here."

Like father, like son, Moylan's son Dan, a one-time Keene High baseball star who advanced to triple-A level in the St. Louis Cardinals farm system, has also joined the officials' fraternity. In addition to his duties with the Owl baseball team and Swamp Bats, the younger Moylan totes the whistle at high school football and basketball games.

"He had a tough break up with St. Louis, but he's gotten his life back in order," said Moylan. "They say there's a life after baseball, but for some guys it's a tough adjustment."

Jimmy Moylan doesn't know how many more years he can wear the zebra shirt. "It gets in your blood. They're still giving me ball games, so somebody must think I can still do a pretty good job."

Like the players he officiates, Moylan knows you're only as a good as your last game. "Tonight's another night, and you've got to do another good job to stay on top."