(Editor’s note: Although Chuck’s column focuses on the decrease of officials in New York State, this problem has also plagued the PIAA and District 9 in the 2018-19 school year as games have either had to be cancelled or postponed due to a lack of available referees.)
The theme has become persistent for the New York State Public High School Athletic Association.
Specifically, it’s the behavior of the parents of high school athletes who are causing a problem for game officials.
Robert Zayas, executive director of the NYSPHAA, has noted, “We have a shortage of licensed high school officials in our state. Not only are experienced officials retiring, but younger officials are also quitting. Why? Because of abuse.
“Much of that abuse is coming not from high school coaches or athletes, but from overly-competitive, overly-ambitious parents who have an unrealistic vision of their sons’ and daughters’ future as a collegiate or professional athlete.”
He added, “The net result is that athletic events in many communities in our state are being rescheduled, postponed or even cancelled because there aren’t enough men and women to officiate them. Fewer games mean fewer opportunities for the next generation to learn the leadership skills communities need.”
Zayas’ concern was amplified in an op-ed co-authored by him and Karissa Niehoff, executive director of the National Federation of State High School Associations.
Together they wrote:
If you are the mother or father of a high school athlete here in New York, this message is primarily for you.
When you attend an athletic event that involves your son or daughter, 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, cool it.
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 New York 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.
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.
Research confirms that participation in high school sports and activities instills a sense of pride in school and community, teaches lifelong lessons such as 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, sign up to become a licensed official at HighSchoolOfficials.com. Adult role models at high school athletic events here in New York are always welcome.
The message isn’t new.
NYSPHSAA has issued a similar one several times in recent years as parental behavior has become more unacceptable.
The most compelling argument is that the lossof officials, due to fan abuse, actually endangers scheduled games which can’t be played without people to officiate them.
And the Big 30 area is hardly immune.
(Chuck Pollock, a Times Herald sports columnist, can be reached at cpollock@oleantimesherald.com)
