Much of my training and consulting with sports officials has focused on speed and agility---to get to a position quickly on the field or court to make a call accurately, and to change direction to follow the game in play and not miss anything. The ability to move out of the way of a charging athlete also helps an official to prevent bodily injury and stay safe on the job.
As a member of the extended sports officials family, it is disappointing to see that there is an equally pressing workplace safety concern that must be addressed---violence towards officials on and off the field.
Violence in sports is not new. Fans fighting, verbal abuse of officials and athletes, damage to arenas and field houses are common events. However, what has become more apparent in the news is the physical violence directed toward officials. It occurs at all levels, including little league, K-12, college and in professional sports.
Most of us in Ohio remember the 2001 Cleveland game which turned chaotic when Browns fans did not get the call they wanted. The referee did his job and announced the correct call, but many of the fans reacted violently when the call was made. The most lasting and embarassing image of the fan behavior was the front page photo showing them throwing beer bottles at the officials.
Twenty years later, there are still fans who commit assaults on sport officials. Less than a month ago in Columbus, Ohio, the entire officiating crew for the Grove City High School game was intentionally barricated in the locker room following a game. The crew immediately took action and filed charges. Many of us in Ohio are awaiting identification and conviction of the individual(s) responsible.
James Kakos, Christopher McCaleb, Ronald Wilson, Keith Dalton, Nathaniel O'Neal, and Gregory Moore and D'Juan Hammonds, the assigned crew for the game, have written an article in the Columbus Dispatch describing their harrowing experience with an assistant coach charging toward them and later having to push a vending machine off the door to be able to get out of the locker room. They are demanding change to protect officials. Members of the community have responded that firings, criminal charges and other penalties are fitting for this incident.
Officials' security cannot be taken lightly. It is enough to be subjected to verbal abuse by fans; being placed in danger while doing their jobs is unacceptable. A statewide showing of solidarity with all sports officials and this crew---to demand police and/or school security at all football games, and in all other officiated sports---would also send a message to fans who consider crossing the line.
Making Changes
Sports officials are being assaulted for doing their jobs. It is time for school administrators, coaches, parents, fans, municipalities and states to accept responsiblity and take actions to prevent violence. Officials deserve better.
The good news is that legislators in some states, including Ohio, are drafting laws to criminalize assault and harassment of sports officials. Per NASO:
"In Ohio —HB 44 seeks to amend section 2903.13 of the Revised Code to increase the penalties for assault if the victim is acting as a sports official or the assault is committed in retaliation for the victim’s actions as a sports official."
As a lifelong sports fan, I have always appreciated the work that officials do to manage a game, make calls and monitor athletes, coaches and fans. Ensuring their safety and security, on and off the field, will keep them in the game, and keep us in the stands.
