It's a thankless job, and Peter Stewart's been doing it for 40 years.
But of the thousands of basketball games that Stewart has refereed, a recent game, a girls varsity game at West Broward High School, was the most special of all.
"It's my baby," said Stewart with a tear in his eye. "Well, she's 27, she's not a baby anymore."
For the first time, and maybe the last time, Stewart officiated a High School game with his daughter.
"You only do things like this one time," said an emotional Stewart.
At age 67, Stewart's body is telling him it's time to retire. But it's much easier to let go knowing that Lindsay Stewart is following in her dad's footsteps.
"This is my other life," Lindsay said. "I grew up watching him, so it was natural to come into it."
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When Lindsay first starting reffing games four years ago, she couldn't handle people yelling at her all the time. So, she came to dad for advice.
"I said, 'don't listen to them!'" Peter explained. "I said, 'you didn't listen to them when you played basketball, don't listen to them now.' And I told her 'if they don't stop throw them out of the gym!'"
And Peter speaks from experience. Not just as a high school ref and former Division-I women's ref, but as a fan.
Lindsay remembers when her father was in the stands watching her play a High School game and he started yelling at the referee.
"He threatened the official," she laughed. "The cop had to escort him out of the gym!"
Peter is just as protective today as they share the court as referees. But they make a good team. There's natural chemistry and they trust each other. But as time winds down, the moment turns from special to sentimental.
"I'm never going to be able to do this again," Lindsay said. "It's tough, it hits home. We do a lot together. We're a close family."
Peter plans to retire soon, but Lindsay hopes to follow her father's path and become a college official. Her dream is to one day referee in the NBA.
Follow Adam Kuperstein on @akuperstein.
