Sports officials should not be targets of threats, ridicule

Officials serve at the secondary school and youth athletic levels for the love of the game and for the passion of providing children opportunities to compete. Without them, particularly at school level competitions, the match does not happen and the children lose the learning opportunity.

It is becoming increasingly difficult to attract officials for a number of reasons. But one aspect most prevalent arises from an individual’s concern for personal safety.

Attacks on officials should not occur, but they do. The acts against athletic officials range from verbal tirades to homicide, all beyond the spirit of competition and the motto “Fair Play.”

Endeavoring to protect athletic officials, provisions were adopted into West Virginia code a number of years ago addressing an assault or battery committed against an athletic official.

The athletic official is defined as “a person at a sports event who enforces the rules of that event, such as an umpire or referee, or a person who supervises the participants, such as a coach.” (West Virginia Code 61-2-15a©). Appropriate fines, jail time, or both may be assessed against a person committing the offenses.

From the stands, it is difficult to see the game from the official’s perspective. From the stands, we expect perfection though none of us are perfect.

So this year, and every year, from the stands, we should appreciate the officials willing to give of their time so that competitors can fairly compete.

From the stands, we should cheer for the competitors and officials meeting before us on the field of play.

From the stands, we should remember, as spectators, to refrain from comments and actions that detract from the game and distract the competitors from performing their best.

From the stands, let us remember that the game is about them, the competitors; it’s not about us!

State Sen. Greg Boso

Summersville