Is bad behavior at youth sporting events a problem at your school or in your community? The article you’re about to read claims that, for years, “rowdy parents, coaches and players have created a toxic environment” in youth sports, particularly for referees. To what degree, if at all, do you agree with that statement?
In “Bad Behavior Drove a Referee Shortage. Covid Made It Worse.” Eduardo Medina writes about the current situation:
The 13-year-old soccer players in Cincinnati had been pulling at their opponents’ jerseys all game. Rhiana Garcia raised her flag again and again, signaling fouls. But a coach took issue with her officiating that October night in 2020.
The insults he directed at Rhiana, who was 14 at the time, intensified throughout the match; she said that he had accused her of being colorblind and had shouted expletives and a racial slur at her. Before the final whistle blew, the coach had been kicked off the field. And Rhiana, holding back tears, texted her boss, “I don’t know if I can do this anymore.”
Such unruly behavior is the driving force, referees say, behind a nationwide shortage of youth sports officials.
The shortfall has persisted for years, as rowdy parents, coaches and players have created a toxic environment that has driven referees away and hampered the recruitment of new ones, referees say. The pandemic only made things worse: The cancellation of games and entire seasons over the last two years hastened an exodus of older officials who decided that they didn’t want the low pay, angry shouting — or potential infection.
Now as youth games return, many referees are deciding that they will not.
From 2018 to 2021, an estimated 50,000 high school referees — roughly 20 percent — quit, said Dana Pappas, the director of officiating services for the National Federation of State High School Sports. New Hampshire lost a quarter of its hockey referees between 2018 and 2022, while the Public School Athletic League in New York City said it was short about 90 officials in Brooklyn.
“This is a nightmare across all sports,” Ms. Pappas said.
The article also describes how some communities are trying to solve the problem:
Referee organizations are looking for solutions. Soccer referees in San Francisco are considering delivering introductory speeches before games in an attempt to humanize themselves and draw empathy from spectators. The Nebraska Referee Developmental Program ran a public campaign this year with the tagline “Who are you yelling at?” to highlight referee abuse, emphasizing that 60 percent of officials are 17 or younger. Officially Human is partnering with leagues and teams to conduct classes on sports etiquette for parents and coaches.
Students, read the article, then tell us:
-
Did anything you read in the article surprise you? Have you witnessed this type of behavior at your youth sporting events? Have you noticed or heard about a shortage of referees where you live?
-
Have you ever been a referee? Would you want to be? Do you think most game officials are treated with respect by players, coaches and spectators at your games or matches?
-
The article contains some possible reasons that there are fewer referees today than there were a few years ago. Which reason best explains the situation?
-
What do you think needs to happen to fix the referee shortage? Do you think any of the potential solutions mentioned in the article could work? Which ones, and why?
-
Where do you think the line should be between showing respect for game officials and giving them constructive feedback? Should those present always defer to the authority of referees, even if they make mistakes?
Want more writing prompts? You can find all of our questions in our Student Opinion column. Teachers, check out this guide to learn how you can incorporate them into your classroom.
Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public.