He broke into the scene of water polo officiating the way many break into professions, with a little help from a friend. He became one of the world's elite and one of the best the United States has ever seen all by himself. Two Olympic Games and host of other marquee matches later, Aaron Chaney is hanging up his whistle on the international stage.
Chaney, a native of Hawaii came to the mainland to attend college at UC-Santa Barbara where while in school he started reffing a few 18U tourneys to make some extra cash. He got his big break when longtime friend Russ Hafferkamp threw the young Chaney into the mix at the Hind-Wells Tournament in San Luis Obispo in 1981. This tourney included all the best US refs at the time including Bob Lee, John Felix,
Tom Hermstad and Bill Frady.
Chaney continued to ref after college while still living in Hawaii and started to build his resume as a top official in the United States. In 2000 Chaney moved to California and kick started his international officiating career with FINA. During his 8 year run as a FINA official he handled two Olympic Games most recently at the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing, China as well as a host of World Championships and other elite level matches.
Chaney, who will still ref the coming MPSF season in women's collegiate water polo ends his tenure as a FINA ref now due to age requirements. Chaney will be over the FINA age limit come the next Olympics in 2012 in London, England and feels now is the right time to give way and allow the advancement of other US officials. "I feel it is only fair or right for this new person to get started right away with the international scene starting in 2009, the beginning of a new quadrennial," Chaney said. "I enjoyed the international scene and made lots of great friends. It will be difficult not seeing them at tournaments and not being a part of the highest levels of the sport. But it is time to move on and give others an opportunity."
Despite moving on Chaney is going to miss the games themselves, that is what he notes as being most enjoyable. "There is nothing like reffing a great game between two high level teams. The fact that the players are following your calls and that they respect you as a referee. It is really a tremendous feeling," Chaney said.
Chaney will not be easy to replace and has left a long standing impact on US officiating as noted by National Referee Committee Chairman, Jim Cullingham. "Aaron has been a fixture on the International Water Polo scene for many years and has done a tremendous job in promoting the positive perception and credibility of American referees worldwide. I am proud to count him as a friend and a colleague. I wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors"
Team USA Coaches have also been highly appreciative of Chaney. While he has never reffed any of their international matches he often traveled with teams and would help officiate scrimmages and exhibitions. Former Women's Olympic Team Head Coach and now Director of Olympic Development Guy Baker has known Chaney since their year's together on the campus of UC-Santa Barbara. "Aaron has been an excellent international ambassador for USA Water Polo. A top FINA referee has many roles and responsibilities. Aaron has always fulfilled those with the highest professional standards," Baked said. He continued, "He was able to reach the top of his profession and will leave a legacy of excellence for those that follow."
Echoing those sentiments were Chaney's longtime friend and FINA TWPC member Bill Frady, "Aaron was an outstanding international referee. He was well thought of by all the members of the FINA TWPC and was assigned many important games throughout his FINA career. Aaron's officiating was very consistent. He was a student of the game, the rules, understood the importance of international relations, and was truly concerned about his officiating. He will be greatly missed."
Having traveled all over the world to officiate some of the best tournaments Chaney does have some favorite games. Of course as a United States official Chaney is not allowed to officiate games involved Team USA at any tournament so all his memories involve some of the best international games in recent history.
Chaney's Top 5
2003 World Championships in Barcelona, Spain
When I reffed the Spain v Canada women's game. Canada was heavily favored but the Spanish team played them tough losing by a single goal. The many Spanish fans stood clapping of almost 10 minutes applauding their team's moral victory. This to me was showing respect toward the officiating since they were happy with the result even though it was a loss. Their behavior was a display that the refereeing was not a factor in the loss.
2005 World Championships in Montreal, Canada
I reffed the semi-final game between Serbia and Croatia. It was a great game and Croatia lost by one goal. Following the game as the other referee and I walked to the locker room we passed the Croatian team headed to the warm up pool. As they passed the other referee and I they all stopped and shook our hands and said, "Thank you." Later the head coach, Ratko Rudic, and the heads of the Croatian delegation did the same. It was a great feeling because their behavior told me that I reffed a fair and good game. That rarely happens with a losing team. Generally, the losing team blames the referees for the loss.
2005 World Championships in Montreal, Canada
The third great experience was reffing the Gold Medal game of the same World Championships between Hungary and Serbia in front of 5000 spectators. Having the head of FINA come to me following the game and say, "Great water polo" and shake my hand. This told me that we did a great job of refereeing the game.
2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece
The fourth was reffing the Semi-final in the 2004 Olympics between Hungary and Russia in front of 11,000 spectators.
2006 Men's FINA World Cup in Budapest, Hungary
As a neutral referee in the 2006 Mens World (FINA) Cup in Budapest, Hungary. The tournament was comprised of 8 European teams and I was the only American there reffing the top teams in Europe in the most fantastic water polo country in the world. There were 5000 spectators for every Hungarian game and about 2000 for all the other games. The people of Hungary love water polo and are very knowledgeable fans so if you ever make a mistake they will let you know whether their team is playing or not. Hungary is the best place in the world to referee. Also, because the hotel on Margaret Island (where the games are played) have thermal baths and you are on an island in the middle of the Danube. Last but not least the women in Hungary are some of the best looking in the world and they all attend the water polo games.
