about this exact subject myself after last weekend.

Worked the JVDA Elite Scrimmage last weekend (I'm a ref). Granted, I don't see 17/18 Open competition every weekend and certainly not the cream-of-the-crop like this past weekend. Regardless, I was really taken aback by the horrible attitudes these Elite (or should I say Elite-ist) players possessed (by and large). I was actually approached by a member of the work team for the final match who said "you're going to try and make this quick, aren't you?". Uh...yeah princess...whatever you say. Most work teams that weekend I would rate from "barely average" to "horrid." Mercifully, there was one major exception: Illini Elite.

These young ladies made excellent work teams (a young Illini DS was simply one of the best Junior R2's I've ever worked with). They displayed class and respect for the game by doing there jobs as intended. Just an overall pleasure to be around their team. Honorable mention to Pittsburgh Renaissance as well, they were one of the other "above average" work teams. They had to work after losing during bracket play on Sunday and did so without that "we're being tortured" look on their face.

Another club that deserves mention is USA Michigan. Their girls are simply taught to respect the game and to support each other. Had them last season at a site with incredibly close courts, balls were rolling on constantly. USA Michigan (my work team), actually provided ball shaggers to prevent balls from rolling on the courts. I think they did it without being prompted by their coach (15-year olds doing things they don't have to do -- Are you listening to me?) They didn't play at the Elite Scrimmage but deserve mentioning in this thread.

Lastly, I'm sure there are examples of class demonstrated in gyms all across the country and I don't mean to leave any deserving clubs out. These are just the ones that have stood out in my little corner of the Mid-West.