I just read an article in the Fargo Forum regarding a shortage of junior and senior high basketball officials. The article started with asking the following questions: "Would you take a job knowing you'd be screamed at by strangers every time you showed up for work? Knowing your eyesight would be questioned? Knowing you'd be called incompetent?"
There seems to be a shortage of membership in the Red River Valley Officials Association. This article makes the statement that unruly parents are partly to blame.
The Red River Valley Officials Association is the group of referees that officiate local junior and senior high basketball games. The association's membership is decreasing and if this continues, it could lead to a shortage of officials in the future. The article states that young people are not interested in becoming officials because of the verbal abuse officials must listen to.
One long time official doesn't feel that this is the only reason interest is dwindling. He believes burnout is another factor. Many kids are now on summer traveling teams and they play as many as 70-80 games a year. By the time they are done with high school they have had enough. Also, they see the disrespect and don't want to deal with it.
It seems there is just a small minority of the parents that cause the problem. But, it is still a problem they have to listen to and doesn't seem to be getting any better.
Also, how about the coaches and fans besides the parents. This article was alittle one sided against the parents. These two groups can be put on the list right alongside the parents for unruly behavior.
I have two boys in basketball. One is in seventh grade and one is a sophomore. I'm very curious about the discrepancies in the way officials make their calls. We aren't the parents doing the yelling or anything at the games, but sometimes it sure is hard not to start!!
I know officiating has to be a tough job. I wouldn't do it myself. Most of the time they are doing the best they can do I'm sure. But, it's the obvious bad calls that can win or lose a game for the kids that are frustrating. When one kid on a team gets called for a foul and the kid on the other team is doing the exact same thing and doesn't get called, this is frustrating for the kid that gets the foul and their parents, etc.
There may be a solution to help alleviate the abuse officials must endure during games. In visiting with other parents they suggested school officials help with crowd control. If someone starts getting to out of control they are given a warning and if that doesn't do the trick, they are asked to leave. Also, officials could start giving more technicals out due to abusive fans, parents, coaches, etc. Once the technicals start getting called and points are given away, these groups of people might just start settling down.
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I also read this article in the Fargo Forum and found it fascinating as my boyfriend is the JV coach at Fargo South High. I attend a lot of basketball games and it never ceases to amaze me the way those referees are treated. For what they get paid ($35 per game) I wouldn’t take that bull either.
ReplyDeleteI do have to give Fargo South props though, because their school officials attend every game and truly try to stay on top of the student fans. I have watched the principals and deans haul kids out of the Bruin Den on numerous occasions because they didn’t know when to shut their mouths.
This article is a great PR piece in a couple of ways. First, it gets name recognition out there for the Referee’s Association. Perhaps there are people out there that wish to ref and just didn’t know who to contact or how to get certified.
Second, it opens the eyes of those that attend the basketball games, whether it is parents, students, coaches, players, or cheerleaders. Perhaps they hadn’t realized how rude they sound when they think all they’re doing is defending their child/friend/player.
I can't believe that article, the fact that people don't want to be officials because of the yelling they will get is unbelievable but understandable. I remember being in high school basketball games playing and getting totally distracted because of parents yelling at officials.
ReplyDeleteI hope that article open the eyes to parents who go to games at yell at the officials. They don't have to take it from them. Like Heather stated above, they don't get very much pay so why get little pay and get yelled at from parents. I could find many other ways to get paid.
Your blog was very interesting to me. Its hard to know who to blame for the shortage of officials. In any game there are going to be calls that bad and the fans are going to be upset. I dont think that parents are to blame when it comes to the officials shortage. I think that its a big job to have and with basketball becoming year round it's very hard to keep interested.
ReplyDeleteThis last weekend I went to a couple college basketball games and I was discussed with the officialling. One of the refs was so full of himself. During timeouts he would find someone from the hometowm stands to talk to and joke around with. He would also talk and joke around with the hometown team members. Then he went and made bad calls or wouldnt call fouls against that team. It was hard not to be upset with the officialling. I think that he did a bad job of being a professional. I dont think he should be talking to the fans or players and that he should just be there to make sure the game doesnt get out of hand.
But I do understand that it is a hard job, one that I could never do. Good job on your blog!
Jess
I have to admit that I have seen some of these mothers and fathers in action. WOW, it always amazed me that these parents were so FORCEFUL with other adults who are trying to play by the rules.
ReplyDeleteMany times I wondered if these parents actually had a life besides trying to make their children the super athletes that they either once were or always wanted to be!
I absolutely agree that fowls should be called on the parents – they after all are the people responsible for teaching the children who play sports how to act and behave in public.
It is sad to see that there aren't as many sporting officials as there used to be. There job is very important in keeping control over sporting events. The fact the fans are the reason is very sad. I know it is hard to control comments when a bad call is obviously called, but they have to make decisions in split seconds. However, there is a difference between yelling at a call and harassing a referee.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in high shool I rememberr a basketball game where the opposing team's fan went beyond yelling about calls. They screamed the entire time and then when the game was over I remember the officials being chased out of the gym by a few fans. When things like this happen I can see why people wouldn't want to become officials. It also gives the kids very bad examples of how to act at events. They think if there parents are doing it why can't they.
I agree that more technicals should be given out to fans and parents. Maybe this would prevent some of the harrassment.