Following last week’s high school state football tournament, the Iowa High School Athletic Association is speaking out on the treatment of referees by fans, coaches and athletes. I mean, it’s definitely something we’ve seen over the last few years,” IHSAA deputy director Todd Tharp said. positive way for your own team,” Tharp said. It’s getting so bad it’s impacting their efforts to recruit officials. being yelled at throughout,” Tharp said. This treatment could jeopardize the future of many high school sports programs. Tharp says these cases could have a bad impact on children in Iowa. won’t have the opportunity to do what they are so good and talented at,” said Tharp. Tharp says the IHSAA educates all of its umpires to the best of their abilities before they officiate a sport. Harassment and assault incidents are investigated on a case-by-case basis, which may be the responsibility of a district or law enforcement agency.
Following last week’s high school state football tournament, the Iowa High School Athletic Association is speaking out about the treatment of referees by fans, coaches and athletes.
“I don’t know if it’s something that has gotten worse for the most part, but I mean it’s definitely something we’ve seen over the last few years,” the assistant manager said. IHSAA, Todd Tharp.
Spectators say officials were harassed during calls for the game, which the IHSAA says must end.
“We want you to cheer hard and be proud, but do it in a positive way for your own team,” Tharp said.
And it’s not just football matches where these referees struggle.
Tharp says it happens at baseball, football and basketball games.
It’s getting so bad that it’s impacting their efforts to recruit officials.
“I leave work to go to work for a game at 4 or 5 and I’m belittled, cursed, yelled at throughout,” Tharp said.
This treatment could jeopardize the future of many high school sports programs. Tharp says these cases could have a bad impact on children in Iowa.
“If we don’t have baseball umpires, we don’t have football officials, we don’t have basketball officials, then these kids who have these four years here in high school don’t won’t have the opportunity to do what they’re so good and talented at doing,” Tharp said.
Tharp says the IHSAA educates all of its umpires to the best of their abilities before they umpire a sport.
Incidents of harassment and assault are investigated on a case-by-case basis, with responsibility possibly falling to a district or law enforcement agency.
Other titles:
