No question about it.

 

And I remember Lynn Davis because he was the subject of some training I received.

 

You know it's bad when you are the subject of a training manual.

You know it's bad when you are the subject of a training manual.

 

We even had audio, very scary stuff.

The sideline official was having problems with the people on the sidelines getting too close to the field. He asked the officer working the game to have the people move back. The officer told him to shut up and "just watch the game." That's when the white hat came over.

The sideline official was having problems with the people on the sidelines getting too close to the field. He asked the officer working the game to have the people move back. The officer told him to shut up and "just watch the game." That's when the white hat came over.

 

And then the refs get arrested? :lol2:

This is another good read on the topic and Clyde that is not the way this article reads. And from the article:

 

Greenwood said he has spoken to both Gambino and Radcliffe and has concluded that "they have done nothing wrong." He said that under National Federation of State High School Association and Louisiana High School Athletic Association rules, once the game begins, a game official has "complete authority to remove whoever he needs to from (the sideline), the stands or anywhere else within the confines of the stadium."

 

^ Apparently both the state and national associations somehow believe their rules trump state law. LOL

 

Referees arrested at Friday night game 'did nothing wrong,' president of officials association says | NOLA.com

Also a press release from the Officials Association:

 

NASO Press Releases

I encourage everyone to read the above link. And while we are on the topic, it would be the job of the school administration to "police" their field/sidelines, not the actual police. With that said, at the point anyone refused to comply with a school official then police intervention would be appropriate.

The sideline official was having problems with the people on the sidelines getting too close to the field. He asked the officer working the game to have the people move back. The officer told him to shut up and "just watch the game." That's when the white hat came over.

 

From everything I have read and the witness accounts this is lining up against the Refs:

 

Several witnesses, all of whom except for one asked to not be identified, said Gambino (Ref) was not satisfied with the way the situation was handled by Short (Police Officer), and things escalated from there. Mandeville Skippers Booster Club President Jim Treuting, who said he was on the sideline "about five feet" from where the incident took place, said Gambino never asked anyone on the sideline to move back, instead going directly to Short. At some point, Gambino became upset and told Short he would "throw him out, and 'get out, now.' "

 

"You don't say that to a cop who wasn't off-base in the demeanor he had until that was said to him" by Gambino, Treuting said.

 

It was then that Short, who has a son who plays for the Mandeville High football team, seemed to lose his patience, telling Gambino, "You better watch what you're doing," Treuting said. "The white hat (Radcliffe) comes over and then starts the confrontation again, even to the point where it looked like he was daring (Short) to arrest him. He turned around, put his hands up and said, 'Go ahead, arrest me.'

 

"From my perspective, I wondered what these guys were doing," Treuting said. "I don't think the officer at that point in time had any choice but to arrest him."

I don't know who was right and who was wrong. The statements released make their sides sound as innocent as can be and I find that hard to believe. I am guessing that both sides exchanged words and I would guess the officer was also asked to move back from the area the chain crew was talking about and owuld also guess the officer knew the other people in that area and is why he didn't have them move and it escalated from there.

 

That is just a guess, but more believable than what the statements by the officials says.

I don't know who was right and who was wrong. The statements released make their sides sound as innocent as can be and I find that hard to believe. I am guessing that both sides exchanged words and I would guess the officer was also asked to move back from the area the chain crew was talking about and owuld also guess the officer knew the other people in that area and is why he didn't have them move and it escalated from there.

 

That is just a guess, but more believable than what the statements by the officials says.

 

I am having trouble following you but did you read the post before yours? That was an eye witness that came down squarely on the side of the police.

The sideline official was having problems with the people on the sidelines getting too close to the field. He asked the officer working the game to have the people move back. The officer told him to shut up and "just watch the game." That's when the white hat came over.

 

 

Clyde....I couldn't hear the conversation but I could read their lips.....seemed strange that he got arrested......

 

It just looked like the ref was talking about taking the cop to "Fudruckers."

I guess he didn't like the place because he told the ref to take his "Mother to Fudruckers"

 

....not sure what happened after that.

I am having trouble following you but did you read the post before yours? That was an eye witness that came down squarely on the side of the police.

Yes I read that post and the account of from the eye witness, but the eyewitness nnever said what was being said, so it sounds to me he wasn't close enough to hear the exchange in the first place.

 

Several witnesses, all of whom except for one asked to not be identified, said Gambino (Ref) was not satisfied with the way the situation was handled by Short (Police Officer), and things escalated from there. Mandeville Skippers Booster Club President Jim Treuting, who said he was on the sideline "about five feet" from where the incident took place, said Gambino never asked anyone on the sideline to move back, instead going directly to Short. At some point, Gambino became upset and told Short he would "throw him out, and 'get out, now.' "

Also a press release from the Officials Association:

 

NASO Press Releases

 

When I heard about this, one of the first questions in my mind was whether or not the refs were unionized. Since they are, I'd say the host school in question shouldn't worry about getting too many calls anytime soon.

With the behavior I have seen from officials over the past few years, I'm going to lean towards the police on this one. Officials have become overly sensitive and all too often they are over-reacting in a big way. Too often they want to be a big part of the action and when there is what they see as a legitimate opportunity to put the attention on them, they do it. Not sure why an official is talking to the police. To me, that shows me that they think they are above the police during the game. I would think the protocol would be to work with the Home Coach and/or AD. If the fans don't leave, then they can work with the police. If they don't get the fans off the field, then the game doesn't continue.

 

Pretty soon officials will be trying to mandate everything inside the stadium gate. I'm waiting for the Delay of Game pentalties because of lines at the concession stand being too long.

I have no idea how this case will turn out but this is an important lesson for all Refs and school officials. I am not trying to come across arrogant at all other than to let everyone know whether you are a Ref, a Principal, or even a Super, the police ultimately have the final say when they are at a high school sporting event.

That's why Trinity hires 4-6 for every home game. Let's say each man picks up $75.00, the security they offer makes it well worth the investment.