If you listened to any of the recent West Virginia high school basketball tournaments on the radio, you more than likely heard public service ads calling for parents and fans to behave better toward officials, players, coaches and even other fans.
Recent years have seen a surge in poor behavior from spectators at games that, at the end of the day, are being played by children, even if some high school players are technically adults.
We praised the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission last year for getting involved with these campaigns to improve the atmosphere at high school sporting events in the state. We applaud the SSAC’s ongoing commitment to this mission, along with other boards and agencies associated with youth sports that also are trying to make such activities a better experience for everyone, especially the children who participate.
Evidence that the problem is still pervasive and needs to be addressed is everywhere.
When U.S. Youth Soccer, the ultimate authority overseeing about 10,000 teams and 3 million players across the country, released a new, detailed zero-tolerance policy about referee abuse last week, it was a clear sign that the issue is getting out of hand.
A video clip of a man coming onto the ice at a youth hockey game in Seattle and knocking down two referees went viral in February as the epitome of crossing the line. The incident was particularly egregious, considering the refs were only 12 and 14 years old. USA Hockey allows youth players to ref games for younger ages so the kids can earn some money, learn more about the game and help with the referee shortage that’s hit all youth sports. The organization also has started a national campaign of putting green arm bands on refs who are minors. Signs are posted at most rinks, warning fans that referees wearing those green stripes should not be the target of any kind of harassment.
In this case, the parent was banned from the rink and indefinitely suspended from participating in any activities with the particular hockey association. He also was charged with assault; he pleaded not guilty in his initial appearance in a Seattle municipal court this week.
It’s a shame that national, state and local organizations have to constantly update policies and come up with ways of reminding parents and fans that verbally or physically abusing refs, players, coaches or other fans is unacceptable. Unfortunately, it’s clearly necessary.
As we noted last year, fans going overboard at youth sporting events isn’t anything new, but it is getting worse. The problem also is easier to observe, with smartphone videos and social media eternally capturing disproportionate outbursts at what are, more often than not, relatively inconsequential sporting events.
Such incidents don’t accomplish anything positive. Fans, parents and coaches who engage in this type of behavior are endangering everyone’s safety while setting a horrible example for children. It’s also embarrassing and emotionally taxing on kids, who are just there to play a game. A bad culture around a particular team or league can make kids not want to play. Of course, a toxic environment also drives away those who might want to get involved otherwise, be it through reffing, coaching or volunteering.
Everyone involved in youth sports needs to keep in mind that this is supposed to be fun and beneficial for the kids.
