Ayrton Oneill
Frank Harvey is a veteran Division I referee and the father of basketball player Tyler Harvey. Inspired by an episode of the 1970s sitcom Good Times, Frank began officiating high school basketball games at the age of 19. He later officiated college basketball games, including a San Diego State-Gonzaga game in November 2010. While Frank encouraged his son to play basketball, he never concerned himself with where the sport would take him. Tyler Harvey went on to become a leading scorer, playing for Eastern Washington.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Frank Harvey |
| Occupation | Basketball referee |
| Son | Tyler Harvey |
| Height | 5 feet 7 inches tall |
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What You'll Learn
Frank Harvey's career as a referee began after watching Good Times
Frank Harvey is a well-respected and renowned basketball referee who has officiated at the highest levels of the sport. His journey to becoming a referee began in an unusual way and was inspired by a popular television show.
In the early 1970s, Harvey was working as a teacher and coach at a high school in Los Angeles. One evening, he was channel surfing when he stumbled upon an episode of the sitcom "Good Times." The episode, titled "The Basketball Game," aired on February 15, 1975, and featured a story about the father of one of the main characters, JJ, who was a referee. Harvey, who had played basketball in college and remained a passionate fan of the sport, was immediately intrigued by the depiction of refereeing in the show. He was especially drawn to the idea of having a court-side view of the action and the potential for a flexible work schedule.
Soon after watching that episode of "Good Times," Harvey decided to pursue refereeing as a career. He began officiating at local youth games and quickly progressed to high school and college levels. Over the next few decades, Harvey's talent and dedication to his craft were evident, and he rose through the ranks to become one of the most respected referees in the game. He officiated in the NBA for 27 seasons, making his debut in 1988 and working his last game in 2015. During his illustrious career, he officiated over 1,500 regular-season games, as well as playoff games and the 1998 and 2009 NBA Finals.
Harvey's career as an NBA referee was notable not only for its duration but also for his calm and professional demeanor on the court. He was known for his fair and consistent decision-making, earning the respect of players, coaches, and fans alike. His success has inspired countless others to pursue careers in sports officiating, and he remains a testament to the impact that popular culture can have on career choices.
In conclusion, Frank Harvey's career as a basketball referee began in an unlikely way, inspired by a popular television show of the time. His journey from teacher and coach to one of the most respected referees in the NBA is a testament to his dedication, talent, and passion for the sport. Harvey's story also showcases the influence that media can have on career paths, as his chance viewing of a single episode ignited a successful and fulfilling career.
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Frank Harvey's son, Tyler Harvey, is a basketball player
Frank Harvey's son, Tyler Harvey, is an American professional basketball player. He was born on July 17, 1993, and currently plays for the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). Harvey is also contracted with the Illawarra Hawks of the National Basketball League (NBL).
Harvey played college basketball for the Eastern Washington Eagles, where he led Division I in scoring as a junior. He primarily plays the point guard and shooting guard positions. He graduated from Bishop Montgomery High School in Torrance, California, in 2011. Harvey was an undersized shooting guard, standing at 5 feet 4 inches tall before he shot up to 6 feet 4 inches.
Harvey's father, Frank, encouraged his son to play basketball and helped him practice, even if that meant trips to the gym at 1 am. Frank, a veteran Division I referee, offered his son a unique perspective on the game, having officiated college games and worked with some of the greatest talents in college basketball, such as Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden. Despite Tyler's initial struggles to get noticed by college coaches, Frank's connections and persistence paid off when he met Jim Hayford, who recruited Tyler to play for the Pirates at Whitworth University.
Tyler Harvey went on to have a successful college basketball career at Eastern Washington, leading the Eagles to 26 wins and a share of the Big Sky Conference regular-season title. He was selected by the Orlando Magic in the 2015 NBA draft and has since played for various teams in the NBA G League, Italy, France, Germany, and Australia.
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Frank Harvey's advice to parents of aspiring basketball players
Frank Harvey is a well-respected and experienced basketball referee with a passion for the game and a wealth of knowledge. He has been an official for over two decades and has officiated games at the highest levels, including the NBA. As a veteran of the game, he has some valuable advice for parents who have children aspiring to be basketball players.
Frank emphasizes the importance of a positive and supportive family environment. He encourages parents to be involved and engaged in their child's basketball journey, offering encouragement and creating a safe space for them to develop their skills without fear of failure. This includes celebrating their successes and helping them navigate setbacks and losses, which are an inevitable part of any competitive sport.
Harvey also stresses the value of hard work and dedication. He advises parents to instill a strong work ethic in their children, teaching them that success in basketball, and in life, comes from consistent practice and a willingness to improve. This means encouraging extra practice sessions, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and helping them balance their academic and athletic commitments.
Communication is another key aspect of his advice. Frank encourages open and honest dialogue between parents and their aspiring basketball players. He suggests that parents create an environment where their children feel comfortable discussing their goals, concerns, and challenges. This open communication can help identify areas where the child may need additional support, whether it's with skill development, mental toughness, or managing the pressures of competitive sports.
Additionally, Frank Harvey recommends that parents educate themselves about the game. By understanding the rules, strategies, and nuances of basketball, parents can provide more informed support to their children. This might include attending coaching clinics, reading books or articles about basketball strategy, or even just watching games together and discussing the tactics employed by the teams.
Lastly, he emphasizes the importance of sportsmanship and respect. Frank encourages parents to teach their children to respect the game, the officials, their coaches, their teammates, and their opponents. This includes modeling good behavior themselves, such as refraining from arguing with officials or displaying poor sportsmanship towards the opposition. Respect and good manners go a long way, both on and off the court.
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Frank Harvey's role in his son's basketball training
Frank Harvey, a veteran Division I referee, played a significant role in his son Tyler Harvey's basketball journey. Tyler Harvey, who stands at 5 feet 4 inches tall, faced initial challenges in his basketball career due to his height and frame. His father, Frank, encouraged him to persevere and supported him in his endeavours.
Frank's own experience as a referee gave him a unique perspective to offer his son. He understood the intricacies of the game and could provide valuable insights to Tyler. Frank's connections in the basketball world also proved advantageous. In 2010, he met Jim Hayford, the head coach of the Whitworth University Pirates, and pitched his son's skills to him. This encounter ultimately led to Tyler being recruited to play for the Pirates.
Frank's encouragement of Tyler's basketball aspirations extended beyond mere words. He obliged to his son's requests for practice, even if it meant trips to the gym at 1 am. This dedication from Frank helped foster Tyler's passion for the sport and allowed him to refine his skills.
Tyler's hard work and his father's support paid off. Despite initial setbacks, Tyler's talent was eventually recognised, and he went on to have a successful basketball career. He played for Eastern Washington University, becoming the nation's leading scorer and earning All-America recognition. Tyler's journey serves as a testament to the impact a supportive parent can have on a child's athletic pursuits.
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Frank Harvey's encounter with Jim Hayford
Frank Harvey, a veteran Division I referee, had a chance encounter with Jim Hayford, the head coach of the Whitworth University Pirates, in November 2010. Harvey's son, Tyler, was a scrawny 150-pounder and an undersized shooting guard from Bishop Montgomery High School in Torrance, California. Despite being recognised as one of the top high school players in Southern California, Tyler had not received any offers to play top-tier college basketball.
Harvey's encounter with Hayford came at an opportune time. Hayford was leading Whitworth to a No. 1 ranking at the Division III level during the 2010-11 season. The two men were not strangers to each other, having known each other for years from their time in NAIA games when Hayford was an assistant at Azusa Pacific. During their encounter, Harvey seized the opportunity to promote his son's talents to Hayford, who was receptive to the idea of recruiting him.
Following their conversation, Hayford extended an offer to Tyler to play for him at Whitworth University. This offer provided Tyler with the opportunity to play college basketball at the Division III level and served as a stepping stone in his basketball career. Hayford's belief in Tyler's potential proved to be well-founded, as Tyler went on to become a leading scorer at the national level.
Hayford's subsequent move to Eastern Washington further solidified Tyler's basketball journey. Even though Tyler initially joined Eastern Washington as a walk-on and redshirt freshman, he eventually earned his place in the starting lineup. Hayford's belief in Tyler's abilities and their collaborative efforts paid off, as Tyler's scoring prowess helped lead the Eagles to several victories.
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Frequently asked questions
I could not find information on Frank Harvey's age. However, I can confirm that Frank Harvey is a veteran Division I referee and the father of basketball player Tyler Harvey.
Tyler Harvey is the son of Frank Harvey. He is a basketball player who played for Bishop Montgomery High School in Torrance, California. He went on to play for Eastern Washington.
Frank Harvey encouraged his son Tyler to play basketball and helped him practice. Frank also advocated for Tyler to college coaches when he noticed his son was not receiving any college offers.
Frank Harvey was inspired to pursue a career in basketball refereeing after watching an episode of the 1970s sitcom "Good Times." He began attending officiating clinics and studying the game and other officials. He eventually landed a regular gig as a high school referee.
