

The Crown Refs Podcast
Paul Diasparra
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
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 12, 2023 • 35min
#320 The Porsha & Pauly Pod | feat. Porsha Waddey | Chapter 3
Welcome back to the 3rd chapter of the Porsha & Pauly Pod! In this episode, we emphasize the importance of continuous self-improvement and mentorship for success. We discuss the value of analyzing game footage for better decision-making, understanding the intricacies of the game, and growing confidence as a play-caller.
Key takeaways include the significance of patience in all parts of the game, knowing when to let plays continue, and recognizing when to step in to ensure fairness and player safety. We think this episode is another must-listen for aspiring referees and basketball enthusiasts, as it sheds light on the vital role officials play in the game and the dedication required to excel in this profession. We hope you enjoy!
❤️𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆
Patreon.com/crownrefs
𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗲
https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/new_york/hartsdale/crown-refs
𝗕𝘂𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗚𝗲𝗮𝗿 (Enter CROWN15)
Refereestore.com

May 8, 2023 • 1h 2min
#319 The Mindful Journey | with Adam James | Division 1 Men’s Official | Naples, FL
In this episode, we dive deep into the mind of NCAA Official and creator of The Mindful Journey, Adam James. Adam shares his passion for officiating, the mental challenges faced by referees, and his pursuit of unattainable perfection in an imperfect world. Get ready for an insightful discussion on the importance of communication and rapport building with coaches, as well as detaching one's identity from officiating to maintain a healthy mindset.
Prepare to be inspired as we explore Adam's journey in officiating, which has spanned over 15 years and includes eight years at the Division I level. We discuss his experiences and lessons learned from his most recent season, the significance of growth and self-improvement, and the true fulfillment that comes from serving the game.
Don't miss this opportunity to learn from an expert in the field, as Adam leaves us with powerful takeaways that will help you elevate your mental game and develop a better understanding of the craft of officiating.
𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙟𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙮
https://journeymindful.com
𝙀𝙢𝙖𝙞𝙡 𝘼𝙙𝙖𝙢
Adam@adamjspeaks.com
𝙄𝙂
https://instagram.com/adam_c_james?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
𝙅𝙤𝙞𝙣 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮
Patreon.com/crownrefs

May 1, 2023 • 1h 1min
#318 The Wonderful Women of Officiating | feat. Kristyne Esparza | G-League & NCAA-M Official
In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of basketball officiating with our esteemed guest, Kristyne Esparza, a trailblazing referee with over a decade of experience. We unpack the intricacies of this demanding role, discussing the importance of maintaining objectivity, cultivating resilience in high-pressure situations, and mastering the art of effective communication. Kristyne shares her journey from coaching and playing to becoming a respected official in the G League, while also shedding light on the critical role of mentorship and her experience with the NBA Grassroots program. We think you are sure to be inspired by Kristyne's dedication to her craft and her relentless pursuit of excellence.
Our conversation also explores the broader impact of Kristyne's career, touching upon her role as a trailblazer in the male-dominated NCAA-Men’s sports. We discuss the challenges she has faced and the rewards of breaking barriers, as well as the responsibility she feels to pave the way for future generations. Additionally, Kristyne shares valuable insights and takeaways from her personal journey, emphasizing the significance of perseverance, embracing opportunities, and maintaining a growth mindset. Whether you're a basketball enthusiast, an aspiring official, or simply looking for inspiration, this episode promises to captivate and enlighten with its powerful blend of personal anecdotes and practical advice. We hope you enjoy!
𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆
Patreon.com/crownrefs
𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗲
https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/new_york/hartsdale/crown-refs
𝗕𝘂𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗚𝗲𝗮𝗿
Refereestore.com

Apr 28, 2023 • 1h 44min
#317 How do you Recruit | Officially Human's 4th Annual Officiating Symposium | Brenda Hilton
In this special episode of the Crown Refs Podcast, we delve into the critical issue of raising the standard of officiating across various sports, while exploring groundbreaking strategies for recruiting, training, and retaining top-tier sports officials. We welcomed an esteemed panel of guests: Jordan Cohen from Protect the Game, Joan Powell from PAVO, Christopher Loving from Save Our Sports, Sarah Woods from Big Game Officials, and Brian Barlow from Offside.
Throughout this engaging conversation, our panelists examine the main challenges confronting sports officials and share valuable insights from their diverse fields of expertise. They stress the significance of encouraging diversity within officiating ranks and showcase various initiatives focused on recruiting and retaining high-quality officials. We continue to underscore the importance of mentorship, continuous training, and community support in creating a positive environment for sports officials to thrive. From capitalizing on the unique skill set of military veterans to promoting inclusive officiating opportunities in underrepresented communities, the panelists impart essential takeaways for anyone involved in sports officiating. Don't miss out on this enlightening and inspiring discussion, aimed at elevating the officiating game and guaranteeing the long-term sustainability of the sports we cherish.
𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆
Patreon.com/crownrefs
𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗲
https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/new_york/hartsdale/crown-refs
𝗕𝘂𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗚𝗲𝗮𝗿
Refereestore.com

Apr 13, 2023 • 6min
#316 The Crown Refs Spotlight | Janice Elgedawy | April 2023
We are excited to reboot the first-ever content series that we started back in 2018 called the Crown Refs Spotlight where we highlight 1 official per month and give an in-depth look at their story and journey through officiating.
𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆
Patreon.com/crownrefs
𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗲
https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/new_york/hartsdale/crown-refs
𝗕𝘂𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗚𝗲𝗮𝗿
Refereestore.com

Apr 11, 2023 • 39min
#315 Rapid Responses 12 | Establishing Respect | w/Vinny Paolicelli
On this episode of Rapid Responses, we lay out the right times to establish those respectful communication guidelines with the coaches and players.
Vinny also details a few unsporting stories from his past games that we review and break down. We discuss how to spot behavioral patterns, how to respond when they question our integrity, and how to respectfully exit the conversation when it times out.
𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆
Patreon.com/crownrefs
𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗲
https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/new_york/hartsdale/crown-refs
𝗕𝘂𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗚𝗲𝗮𝗿
Refereestore.com

Apr 5, 2023 • 11min
#314 Camp clips 13 | Why I joined Crown Refs
The 13th installment of our Camp Clips series, Crown Refs is always looking for more high character individuals like Brandon who love officiating and would appreciate being a part of a special community of referees. Our program was built to get stronger with each new member we add. Montrell talks about why he enjoys being a part of the Crown Refs Mentor Community and how the program has developed him as an official. Jake was an official that we worked with long before
Crown Refs and we appreciate his continued support and engagement in our community. He continues to greatly devlop each year and we ar excited for his ascension up the industry ladder. Roger Ayers talks about what a dream come true it was to officiate the Final Four game between Duke & UNC. Then we are back to signal school for tips on adding an additional layer of information on new directional points. As well as covering the best way to change your partner out of bounds call and also the best way to ask for help on an out-of-bounds play. We've all experienced the feeling of moving too fast on the basketball court both mentally and physically. Rushing only leads to mistakes in all walks of life and that's why it's essential to try and master the skills of patience and poise. In such a wildly emotional game we have to be the emotionally mature ones who are capable of being the bigger person at ALL times.
𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆
Patreon.com/crownrefs
𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗲
https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/new_york/hartsdale/crown-refs
𝗕𝘂𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗚𝗲𝗮𝗿
Refereestore.com

Apr 4, 2023 • 16min
#313 Camp Clips 12 | Positive Self-Talk Only
The 12th installment of our Camp Clips series, Paul describes what the origin of signal school and demonstrates all of the different signals in the workout. Paul provides a couple cues that will help add strength and polish such as - PUNCH THE SKY and Copy & Paste. How many of us have incorrectly called a 5-second violation because we succumbed to the pressure of everyone yelling for 5 seconds and anticipated the call?
Practice your hand count with a visible timer to build that automatic muscle memory. One of the benefits of signal school is fine-tuning all of the things that you may not realize. We provide the 3-step technique when presenting the block signal and we discuss the subtle differences between on the spot vs at the table. Just like players who work on their left hand to expand their skill set, as officials we should have that same approach. I hope this conversation can help at least one person who's felt the same way that Taylor has and realize that our weaknesses have the opportunity to become our greatest strength.
Remember to build yourself up with positive self-talk and eliminate the language that has insecurity in it. Thank you to tiktok for all your feedback as we appreciate you taking time out of your day to share your thoughts on our content and thanks to Montrell Cade for attending signal school and being kind enough to give his reaction about the routine.
𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆
Patreon.com/crownrefs
𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗲
https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/new_york/hartsdale/crown-refs
𝗕𝘂𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗚𝗲𝗮𝗿
Refereestore.com

Mar 30, 2023 • 12min
#312 Camp clips 11 | Chatting w/Darius Mcghee | Liberty U. Legend
The 11th installment of our Camp Clips series, we hear about one of the best parts about the crown refs community. Paul explains to Liberty basketball player Darius McGhee about offensive initiated contact. Also, a snippet from Rashaad Murphy a retired US Air Force and a devoted father of 5 and
Porsha Waddey showing great humility and transparency by listing some of the things she wants to improve on.
More postgame feedback, strengthening the chop, different ways to show game awareness, and what is the correct sequence of signals for a 3pt make and 1. discuss and 1 mechanics also when a coach tries to put us in a box by saying "the same exact play happened on that end and you didn't call it", quickly respond with "some plays can be similar but never the same". very rarely will you see two of the exact same plays in a game so don't allow that language into the convo.
𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆
Patreon.com/crownrefs
𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗲
https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/new_york/hartsdale/crown-refs
𝗕𝘂𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗚𝗲𝗮𝗿
Refereestore.com

Mar 25, 2023 • 21min
#310 Talking with Taylor Vol. 2 | with Taylor Hamm
In the second installment of talking with Taylor, we discuss the importance of communicating specifically with coaches about plays and rulings, instead of using vague terminology like “body contact.”
We also touch on the significance of not having expectations for games as it can lead to frustration if things don't go as planned. This call is part of the Crown Refs 1-2-1 service but we think you will find many of the items discussed valuable for your game.
𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆
Patreon.com/crownrefs
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿
https://conta.cc/3IOL2d1
𝗕𝘂𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗚𝗲𝗮𝗿
Refereestore.com/crownrefs