STUPID ZEBRAS

What do zebras, angry parents, Hall of Fame athletes, and one mysterious stranger have in common?

After more than forty years as a basketball referee, football official, baseball umpire, coach, teacher, and lifelong sports fanatic, Doug Sword has seen it all.

From the little boy who listened to his father grumble about the "stupid zebras" while Kentucky basketball played on a crackling transistor radio, to becoming one of those very same officials, Sword takes readers on a humorous, eye-opening, and often deeply moving journey behind the whistle.

You'll laugh at unforgettable encounters, shake your head at unbelievable fan behavior, relive famous sports controversies, and gain a new appreciation for the men and women who officiate the games we love. Along the way, you'll discover why so many rules are misunderstood, how "mob mentality" changes the behavior of otherwise reasonable people, and why the shortage of sports officials threatens the future of youth athletics.

Filled with personal stories, historical sports moments, practical insight, and heartfelt encouragement, Stupid Zebras isn't just for referees. It's for every parent, coach, athlete, and fan who has ever yelled at an official-or thought about it.

You may never watch another game the same way again.