happygilmore97

35 minutes ago, dazedandconfused said:

So did they!!!

They were elite… at screwing organizations and officials over, not paying guys for 6 months plus, lying time after time… pretty elite! 

1 hour ago, TheRightCall said:

There is another scheduling option in the area, it is one that has a pretty nice reputation for not fleecing organizations. 

 

I wonder why PIHO folded, I thought they were the elite of the elite.

 

they folded because their director decided to assault an on ice official. 

1 hour ago, sadday4hockey said:

So the fleecing of many local amateur hockey associations has finally come to an end. That's great news and it just shows that being a complete hypocrite actually does come back to bite you in the arse. Gotta love Karma, still undefeated.

AMEN brotha! The biggest hypocrite to the game of hockey. 

1 minute ago, JerryTime said:

Do the other schedulers actually look who is available though? That’s an honest question because all I see is TBAs go out and it seems like first people to click them get the games. 

To my knowledge and from the sources I have that are involved in scheduling, all games and replies are looked at, however an art goes into it. For example, if ref A1 has 2 games before and a TBA comes out and they put in for it, A1 will be assigned instead of having ref A2 or A3 come up for 1 game. Also, assignors can see what rinks officials are coming from. So for example, if official A2 has a game at rink 1 and will be driving by rink 2 on their way home from their first set of games, then maybe they are more likely to be assigned onto that TBA. Timing of the TBA also has a factor. For example, if an organization schedules a game for tomorrow, a TBA is sent out and more than likely that one is first come, first serve. Lastly, if there is a 10, 12 or low level 14u game, most assignors try to pair up a veteran official with a younger official for developmental reasons. So maybe a veteran official is already assigned that game, if time allows the assignor may wait to see if a younger official is available to pick up that open game. Not everything is perfect, but a lot of thought is put in to it. 

The PIHO Monopoly and biggest buddy-buddy officiating system across youth sports finally FALLS! 

After former PIHO Officiating Director and 'highly decorated' AHL Linesmen assaulted a young official earlier this season by throwing sticks and gloves at him mid-game, his former officiating monopoly has finally collapsed. After all, maybe it just takes officials to speak up for themselves after being shafted by PIHO's unreasonable and outrageous officiating fees that also ripped off hockey organizations across the area. A few things I find hilarious about todays announcement is first, PIHO mentioned their "board of directors voted unanimously to cease operations effective immediately." After speaking with multiple members of the PIHO board (schedulers and admin personnel) they all noted that they were blindsided by tonights announcement ceasing PIHO's operation and noted that they never were involved in any vote. One admin member stated that this was a "fu**ing irresponsible decision made today." This just yet again seems to show PIHO's lack of communication and writing up something to the public to "look good" while blindsiding the people who worked for them. 

Needless to say, I am ecstatic that PIHO is no more. There are multiple other amazing scheduling personnel throughout the Pittsburgh area. First, local schedulers who schedule single rinks are great, as they build a person to person relationship with officials (normally because there aren't 500+ officials begging to skate at one rink) and are very simple to communicate with. Also, Alpha Ice Complex currently has an officiating scheduling company that runs circles around PIHO. Not only do they have an officiating scheduling service, but they also have multiple contacts to organizations that run tournaments year around (SuperSeries, HockeyTime, MyHockey, USHL, and PIHL just to name a few). Their staff is very personal, easy to work with, and the best part is, you don't have to wait 4-6 months to get your check. They pay officials monthly while not ripping off organizations with middleman scheduling fees and are very transparent with what they are charging said organizations without the hassle of contracts. Last, not only do they offer officiating scheduling, but also EMT and scorekeeper scheduling for events. Basically a 3-in-1 bonus! 

Today's news is very exciting for the officiating community, as those who knew what was going on with PIHO knows that this means new doors have been opened and new opportunities await. As registration for the upcoming hockey season opens, new officials are ALWAYS encouraged to sign up! Kids, teens and adults! If you are an official and want to join the Alpha Officiating System, be sure to join! 

50 minutes ago, deanyoungblood said:

All the pearl clutching and faux outrage on here makes me laugh. I’d be willing to bet most of you are out there every weekend in the stands yelling at amateur refs and acting like clowns. Hockey around here is in trouble. Big trouble. What the individual in question did was abhorrent. Unfortunately it’s become all too common. Especially around these parts. So it’s not even surprising anymore.  Look at this thread, we have people still making excuses and defending the indefensible conduct from that Huskies game a couple years ago when we had coaches contacting refs on their personal cell phones sending clips and telling them how bad they are.  I wouldn’t want to become a ref either. nor would I want to be a scheduler. Too much hockey not enough refs. Simple math equation. Sounds like you all have it figured out though. PIHO took over for independent schedulers because it wasn’t working out, so I’m not sure going back to that is the answer. Anyway, have a blessed new year!
 

Everywhere that uses independent schedulers to my knowledge is thriving. A big reason for that is because guys do not have to wait 4-6 months for their game checks, like PIHO officials do. Also independent schedulers charge $0-$7 per game to schedule. PIHO is charging organizations around $20+, per game, to schedule. Plus, if that game gets cancelled or rescheduled, they charge another fee. Also, the PIHO motto is a joke. They’re all about providing ‘evaluation’s and advancement.’ However what they don’t tell you is the evaluator is at home sitting on his couch getting paid $75 an hour to watch a LiveBarn video and then after that game he sends the officials an email with an evaluation. The only place their evaluations have gotten local officials is a midnight beer league slot at Lemieux. 

7 minutes ago, 2muchAAAinWPA said:

PIHO is an LLC of which he was the CEO of, no longer.  So PIHO already removed him and replaced him = taking action.  He doesnt own PIHO.  He ran it, but no longer as a result of what can assumed was this recent event.  Im sure more coming.  Any time a coach is ejected, its reviewed by the member org, PAHL/PIHL, Mid-am if needed, and the PIHO.  

You should read up more before making false statements.  This is all online from simple google searches.  This is the other problem, too many assume and dont self learn before trying to talk about something.  Read the PIHO and PAHL sites, learn, dont assume!  

At the minimum he should be suspended a game or more by PAHL.  If he is a previous offender, they could come down harsher.  There are rules in place for this, let the system work.  

Apparently the team he was coaching is not part of PAHL, and they are independent. It’s being looked at by midam and the badgers organization as a whole. 

2 hours ago, Offsides said:

He will not be removed from his PIHO position, as I believe he owns the company.

Apparently Roberts stepped down today, earlier than planned, as he was apparently already ‘planning to step down at the end of this season.’ Seems pretty fishy to me, as there’s no context as to why he was planning on stepping down at the end of this season. However he may still be an owner, as he just stepped down as director. This would allow him to continue to over charge organizations with scheduling fees $$$ and still collect a portion of it. Something for organizations to look into for next season. Go back to independent schedulers, or guys who don’t charge an arm and a leg to click a button on a computer and schedule officials. 

2 minutes ago, Offsides said:

Hold on, PIHO did not "look into anything". He owns PIHO, doesn'the?

Correct. He owns PIHO. Emails that have been posted here, and from what other officials have said, Roberts has stepped down as director of PIHO, as he was apparently ‘already planning on stepping down prior to this,’ however there seems to be no clarification if he is still the owner. He may still silently be the owner and still collecting $$$ from the large amounts of scheduling fees they charge. 

10 minutes ago, 2muchAAAinWPA said:

This site never ceases to amaze me.  You have nay sayers claiming nothing will be done, some saying its not enough, one trashing the Badgers org.....  some of you amaze me.  And more to the point, you show just why "parents" are the biggest problem in youth sports.  Im sure this is being looked at by every org he was apart of and there is a system to hand out the right disclipline.  He was removed from his position, so PIHO looked at it, which means they sent it to PAHL and the hockey org he is from.  Let the system work, speak it facts, and show some patience. Too many of you go into riot mode (pitchforks and torches) and blame anything and everything you can for the actions of one person.  Again, parents are the worst.

While I agree with you here 100%, Roberts, a ‘parent coach’ has been an issue for years. Ask any official, and 98% of them will tell you, within 30 seconds of the games he’s coached, there was constant verbal abuse towards those officials. Just another dad coach who wanted a front row seat to the game. However you are absolutely correct. Things seem to be moving along and it is definitely getting looked at by many! 

1 hour ago, sadday4hockey said:

Pretty sure PPE uses this PIHO organization as their ref scheduling partner. I wonder how they will react to him littering their rink with sticks and gloves?

Correct. Hopefully not for much longer however, especially after seeing this. I have heard word that this video has also been sent to the Allegheny Badgers organization, as Roberts and PIHO schedules for them as well. 

2 hours ago, Offsides said:

Wow!

This type of behavior is unacceptable at any level. The video shows a clear SafeSport violation as well--snatching equipment from a youngster's hand and chucking it on the ice. One would hope that this gets submitted to them as well as the USA Hockey discipline people.

I was trying to figure that out myself! I’m pretty sure it’s a safesport violation as well. 

11 hours ago, Pucks11 said:

I have to give it to the kid reffing though. He kicked him out and stuck to it without trying to hear his lip.

On the other hand this is very clearly LOW level hockey being played and 2 kids ran into each other while going after the puck. It was a good no call by the refs too.

 

Over the years of my kids playing the Badgers have easily had some of the most classless coaches around.

Seems to fit. Roberts and PIHO have become some of the most classless people in officiating. Ripping off amateur hockey organizations with high scheduling fees and using a buddy-buddy scheduling mindset. 100% guaranteed this kid will never skate for him again, if it’s up to Roberts. 

45 minutes ago, Wes said:

https://www.pihoref.com/management

 

37 minutes ago, Wes said:

RE: the hit.  At that young age unfortunately this happens quite often.  large range of kid sizes and it was an unfortunate hit. 

RE: The dummy on the bench.  Clearly needs to be removed from being coach and being the officiating director.  That was horrible.

 

Couldn’t agree more. The kicker here is, Roberts’ company, PIHO, is supposedly focused on development of new officials and helping them out. He did absolutely none of that here.

2 minutes ago, RJUSHL said:

Are you saying that the coach on the bench that tossed the goalie stick onto the ice is in charge of officials in some capacity?

And then the young ref (rightly) tried to toss him and he didn’t leave?

And then the older ref didn’t back up the younger ref on his decision?

This is terrible on multiple levels.

What teams are playing here?

Correct. Roberts, who is the PIHO Officiating Director, is the coach on the bench. Allegheny Badgers. He tossed the goalie stick and gloves on the ice. He is ‘in charge’ of the officials for most organizations (including the Badgers) in the Pittsbrugh area. And I use the term ‘in charge’ lightly, as I’m sure you can clearly see why 

People wonder why there’s an official shortage not only in Western PA, but across USA Hockey as a whole. Especially after Pennsylvania Ice Hockey Officiating (PIHO) Officiating Director Zachary Roberts can’t even respect his own officials. An absolute disgrace to youth hockey. Over charging organizations for scheduling services to schedule officials, and then abusing the very guys who skate for him. Amateur hockey Christmas tournament and Roberts goes awol on this young official. Throwing sticks and gloves onto the ice like a 2 year old when mommy doesn’t buy him a pack of gum at the grocery store. To the organizations that have contracts with PIHO, take a look at how your officiating director treats people. Don’t renew those contracts. Find someone within the organization to schedule. It will save you mountains of money, and you won’t be associated with this disrespect. To the new officials coming on, do you wanna work for this guy? Absolutely not! 

People wonder why there’s an official shortage not only in Western PA, but across USA Hockey as a whole. Especially after Pennsylvania Ice Hockey Officiating (PIHO) Officiating Director Zachary Roberts can’t even respect his own officials. An absolute disgrace to youth hockey. Over charging organizations for scheduling services to schedule officials, and then abusing the very guys who skate for him. Amateur hockey Christmas tournament and Roberts goes awol on this young official. Throwing sticks and gloves onto the ice like a 2 year old when mommy doesn’t buy him a pack of gum at the grocery store. To the organizations that have contracts with PIHO, take a look at how your officiating director treats people. Don’t renew those contracts. Find someone within the organization to schedule. It will save you mountains of money, and at you won’t be associated with this disrespect. To the new officials coming on, do you wanna work for this guy? Absolutely not!