By Karissa Niehoff, Executive Director of the National Federation of State High School Associations and Julian Tackett, Commissioner of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association.

 

If you are the mother or father of a high school athlete here in Kentucky or one of the key school administrators in a member school or member school district, this message is primarily for you.

 

When you attend an athletic event that involves your son or daughter, or the members of your student body, cheer to your heart’s content, enjoy the camaraderie that high school sports offer and have fun. But when it comes to verbally criticizing game officials or coaches, it’s time for everyone to cool it. “The time has come for everyone involved in the game to “pump the brakes” as it relates to conduct at games, particularly, the parents who attend,” noted NFHS Executive Director Karissa Niehoff.

 

Make no mistake about it. Your passion is admired, and your support of the hometown team is needed. But so is your self-control. Yelling, screaming and berating the officials humiliates your child, annoys those sitting around you, embarrasses your child’s school and is the primary reason Kentucky has an alarming shortage of high school officials.

 

It’s true. According to a recent survey by the National Association of Sports Officials, more than 75 percent of all high school officials say “adult behavior” is the primary reason they quit. And 80 percent of all young officials hang up their stripes after just two years of whistle blowing. Why? They don’t need your abuse.

 

“It is time for everyone to take a deep breath, regain control of their emotions, and remind themselves of the great purpose of high school sports, enjoyable participation by the student-athletes,” said KHSAA Commissioner Julian Tackett. “This is a game played by imperfect humans, coached by imperfect humans, and officiated by imperfect humans. I don’t know if it’s the higher levels’ insatiable desire for perfection through replays and the bloviating by announcers who think they know everything or the tone and tenor of general conversation in our country, but this cannot be allowed to continue in this level of sport and this level be maintained.”

 

Plus, there’s a ripple effect. There are more officials over 60 than under 30 in many areas. And as older, experienced officials retire, there aren’t enough younger ones to replace them. If there are no officials, there are no games. The shortage of licensed high school officials is severe enough in some areas that athletic events are being postponed or cancelled—especially at the freshman and junior varsity levels.

 

The shortage is likely to get worse based on recent acts by parents and school administrators. Consider a few incidents that occurred just in the last few weeks:

 

>> The spouse of a contest official, choosing to attend the game her husband was officiating, was verbally abused by parents around her to the point that she genuinely feared for her safety. Her husband is trying to decide if it is worth it to continue officiating. And this conduct went unchecked by local school administrators.

 

>> A school Superintendent, who has a son participating and a relative coaching, sent a threatening text to the local independent contractor who assigns games. “That crew better not be on one of our games ever again” read the text. And that same school removed a team from the floor in a non-varsity game in dissatisfaction over the officiating.

 

>> A veteran Athletic Director cursing an official during a non-varsity game and refusing to allow the official into a dressing room to retrieve his belongings after disagreeing over the handling of a fan situation.

 

>> A veteran school Athletic Director not only refused to handle a situation with a fan when asked to do so, but after the contest, barged into a dressing room and threatened the game officials following the ejection of a head coach after a third technical foul.

 

“I wish I could say that these incidents occurred in another state or in a different year. Unfortunately, not only were they here in our state but in the last few weeks as well,” said KHSAA Commissioner Julian Tackett. “On what planet does any adult, especially a school administrator, think this type of conduct is permissible? We will, of course, issue penalties against the school for removing a team and likely issue some form of administrative penalty against the schools that failed to exercise institutional control during their recent games, but the cause is an indication of deeper, systematic problems.

 

“I don’t want to indict all by the actions of a few, but offer a reminder to all involved. A Superintendent has zero authority over game assignments, thankfully, due to the Federal Court Order that has over-arching authority over our officials’ division. And certainly, our school administrators are expected, if they are to maintain membership in the KHSAA, to handle things at the playing sites in conjunction with officials’ directives. If everyone involved, especially our parents and school administrators, don’t get a handle on their own actions and emotions, as well as the environment surrounding athletic events, not only will the pool of available officiating contractors dry up, but sooner or later, and sooner I fear, those remaining contractors will choose not to accept game assignments at those schools.”

 

Research confirms that participation in high school sports and activities instills a sense of pride in school and community, teaches lifelong lessons like the value of teamwork and self-discipline and facilitates the physical and emotional development of those who participate. So, if the games go away because there aren’t enough men and women to officiate them, the loss will be infinitely greater than just an “L” on the scoreboard. It will be putting a dent in your community’s future.

 

If you would like to be a part of the solution to the shortage of high school officials, you can sign up to become a licensed official through the KHSAA.org or by showing your interest at HighSchoolOfficials.com. Otherwise, adult role models at high school athletic events here in Kentucky are always welcome.

 

1/24/19- Dear Mom and Dad, and in some cases, School Personnel: Cool it | Kentucky High School Athletic Association

Glad people in “official” capacity are addressing it. Seems like schools are dropping the ball more often than not.

Sad that an article like this has to be written. I see it getting worse before getting better. It’s an indictment of society as a whole.

My first inclination is to place most of the blame on school administrators who, if not actively fomenting these situations, ignore them.

My first inclination is to place most of the blame on school administrators who, if not actively fomenting these situations, ignore them.

 

I admit I had to google fomenting before I responded but I agree wholeheartedly papa.

 

To quote Commissioner Tackett from the article, “on what planet does any adult, especially a school administrator, think this type of conduct is permissible?"

 

I also agree with the Commish that the problems are systematic and that is scary.

If you see how some administrators allow the teachers in their 'own building' to be talked to and criticized by students and parents alike, it would make you understand exactly why they won't have backbone in a public setting.

 

I admit I had to google fomenting before I responded but I agree wholeheartedly papa.

 

To quote Commissioner Tackett from the article, “on what planet does any adult, especially a school administrator, think this type of conduct is permissible?"

 

I also agree with the Commish that the problems are systematic and that is scary.

If you see how some administrators allow the teachers in their 'own building' to be talked to and criticized by students and parents alike, it would make you understand exactly why they won't have backbone in a public setting.

 

Are you saying the inmates are running the asylum?

Sorry, but I'm going to disagree with you and mcpapa. I in no way am saying that there aren't some admins who do indeed ignore these situations, there certainly are, but I feel quite confident in saying they are very much in the minority. It IS obvious when these situations are ignored, I'll also give you that, but a good administrator tries to make this kind of confrontation as anonymous as possible so maybe you just don't see it as often when interventions are made. Also, don't discount the fact that those same folks blowing up on the officials tend to do the same thing to anyone who tries to put them in check. Believe me, I know.

Sorry, but I'm going to disagree with you and mcpapa. I in no way am saying that there aren't some admins who do indeed ignore these situations, there certainly are, but I feel quite confident in saying they are very much in the minority. It IS obvious when these situations are ignored, I'll also give you that, but a good administrator tries to make this kind of confrontation as anonymous as possible so maybe you just don't see it as often when interventions are made. Also, don't discount the fact that those same folks blowing up on the officials tend to do the same thing to anyone who tries to put them in check. Believe me, I know.

 

You are disagreeing with the Commissioner of the KHSAA and the Executive Director of the National Federation of State High School Associations too, just saying.

Not really. I agree that there are admins who are problems. No doubt. I've seen it. I just disagree with the premise that they are the majority of the problem. I don't think that is the tone of what the KHSAA is saying here. But, believe me, it would not be the first time I've disagreed with the August Body that is known as the KHSAA.

If the people in charge at high school sporting events were vigilant and kicked out all the troublemakers this would rarely be a problem.

Go to a Conner Middle school game...Mrs. Pennington does a great job setting the tone with the parents and visiting parents. I’ve seen a couple people be asked to leave by her or Boone County deputies based on their behavior.

 

I have a friend who ref’d women’s college basketball and he opened my eyes about being a ref. 90% of the spectators think they know the rules, they don’t. Seeing action on the floor and then seeing it from above is totally different based on angles and view. One thing my friend said to me that made me really think is imagine if the ref yelled at your kid for every turnover, foul, or missed shot he or she had. Just enjoy the game and understand that it is a game, we all want our kids to win but they can’t always win they are bound to lose sometime. The ref’s don’t miss shots, they don’t turn the ball over or foul on defense the players do...watch the good coaches and how they handle the refs. They ask questions, they don’t yell, and their players are respectful towards the ref, those programs usually win cause they are not making excuses about losing or casting blame on the ref’s

 

But, the only thing I do ask from some refs is do your best. Don’t stand on the other end when the action is at the opposite end, these kids are trying and so should you.

Glad people in “official” capacity are addressing it. Seems like schools are dropping the ball more often than not.

 

As critical as I am of the Ryle basketball program I give credit where credit is due. Jim Demler, the A.D. does a fantastic job of "parent officiating" and nobody better than Nate Niemi calling fouls and T'ing up parents an fans while he was with us at Ryle. I think the Holmes staff does an excellent job as well.

I agree that this is a problem and that is likely getting worse. With that said, are there any schools, individual programs, or referee associations that are doing anything about it?

 

Sadly, it not too far of a stretch to make this comparison, but something like getting police officers and the community to come together. Or something like the Bengals do with the ladies program and introductory classes by having something for fans to attend.

 

Of course the ones who need it wouldn't show up but a Q&A for fans on some of the basics and most often misunderstood calls might help a little.

If the people in charge at high school sporting events were vigilant and kicked out all the troublemakers this would rarely be a problem.

 

If the alleged adults that go to games would act like civilized human beings there would be no need for the administrators. Chicken or egg?