COMMENTARY: State, national high school associations say verbal abuse causing referee shortage

Ross second baseman Ethan Hall catches Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy’s Griffin Hughes in a rundown but the umpire had called time and he returned to first in the first inning on Thursday, May 24, 2018, at Mason High School. David Jablonski/Staff

Ross second baseman Ethan Hall catches Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy’s Griffin Hughes in a rundown but the umpire had called time and he returned to first in the first inning on Thursday, May 24, 2018, at Mason High School. David Jablonski/Staff
COMMENTARY
By Karissa Niehoff and Jerry Snodgrass
Jan 16, 2019
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If you are the mother or father of a high school athlete here in Ohio, 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 Ohio has an alarming shortage of high school officials.

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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.

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Plus, there’s a ripple effect. There are more officials over 60 than under 30 in many areas. 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 like 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, you can sign up to become a licensed official at HighSchoolOfficials.com. Otherwise, adult role models at high school athletic events here in Ohio are always welcome.

Karissa Niehoff is the Executive Director of the National Federation of State High School Associations. Jerry Snodgrass is the Executive Director of the Ohio High School Athletic Association

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About the Authors

Karissa Niehoff
Jerry Snodgrass