Let's Do Better

According to Dr. Karissa Niehoff of the National Federation of State High School Associations, “From time to time, everyone needs a wake-up call to get back on course, to regain focus and to get with the program. That time is at hand in high school sports as it relates to unsportsmanlike conduct.” When appropriate behavior occurs, competitive play is more enjoyable for everyone. And for some individuals recently, the games have not been enjoyable. Around the country, the following unfortunate incidents have occurred at the high school level: a mayor of a city was ejected for threatening a referee, a volleyball official was followed off the court by a coach who was shouting obscenities, a referee was assaulted and knocked unconscious, and youth basketball leagues were forced to end the season early due to poor parent behavior. The list could go on and on. 

It is painfully obvious why there is an officials’ shortage…unacceptable behavior on the part of the parents, coaches, and other spectators. Verbal and physical attacks against officials are incomprehensible and must be stopped. NFHS director of officiating services states, “Do you really think that these individuals who are volunteers are going to take a half-day off of work, get paid less than they’re probably making at their real job to go and be unfair in a game? It doesn’t make sense. They are there to give back. They are there to be community servants.” 

Official shortage is real. The pandemic led to accelerated retirement and many new officials quit within the first three years due to fan hostility. Following each contest, officials in the Iowa Star Conference are asked to fill out a ballot to evaluate sportsmanship. They rate the team, players and fans on a scale of 1 to 3. Here is a description of the rating scale: 1 being Expected (no noticeable disrespect), 2 being Fair (some unsportsmanslike conduct), and 3 being Poor (discourtesy/disrespect were evident in several occasions). Unfortunately, the spectators of Janesville Boys Basketball currently have the worst rating in our conference (1.55) and the girls have the best rating (1.0). 

Stop being an “armchair” official. If you are interested in becoming an official, instructions can be found at the link at the bottom of the article. Janesville CSD will be happy to pay for our fans to become officials.

Our behavior embarrasses our players and school. We are asking you to do better.

https://www.iahsaa.org/officials/become-one/