More must be done to protect referees
The assigned crew for the rivalry game of Grove City versus Central Crossing football game came prepared with a combined total of 107 years of officiating experience Sept. 10.
Not only was our experience that night unlike anything we have ever experienced as officials, but it has prompted us to tell our story so that no other officials ever have to experience anything like that night again.
It’s a brotherhood
Before arriving at the school that evening, we were informed that there would be a celebration of our military professionals. We were thrilled to hear about the celebration since four of the six members in our crew served in the military.
After wrapping up our day jobs, we all rushed to the school to have a coach’s meeting at 5:30 p.m. per Ohio Capital Conference requirements. After the coach’s meeting, we returned to the locker room to do our pregame, which included reviewing the weekly OHSAA FB Bulletin from the OHSAA director of officiating and sports management.
We discussed special rules, things we wanted to keep the focus on and what we wanted to improve on from the previous week. To put it plainly, we prepared for our jobs that night and we took pride in doing so.
While conducting our pregame, the OCC observer entered the room, introduced himself and explained that he was there to observe and evaluate our performance.
He communicated he would observe the game from the stands and would visit with us at halftime. We thanked him for taking time out of his Friday night to come and help us get better as a crew. We continued with our pregame discussion, inspecting the game balls all the while enjoying one another’s company with our usual back and forth poking fun at one another.
As usual, we were excited to have another Friday night working together and growing as a crew. Our goal as a crew is to always get better at calling and managing the game. We are men of high integrity and some of the best guys to surround oneself with.
It’s a brotherhood.
Assistant coach charges officiating crew
The usual pre-kickoff activities began around 7 p.m. The school celebrated those who have served our country before the national anthem. Then it was game time. Though the competing schools are rivals, it was an exciting, competitive yet uneventful game until late in the fourth quarter.
A defensive pass interference call was made against Grove City. The coaches were upset with the call and a few of them angrily ran on the field ranting and raving. The defensive coordinator of Grove City’s response forced us to call an unsportsmanlike penalty. Central Crossing, Grove City’s opponent, closed the game with
a victory.
While leaving the field, our officiating crew was charged by a Grove City assistant coach in a very threatening manner. The coach was very combative and was invading our personal space, causing us concern for our safety.
Simply put, this incident presented to us a danger that we should never be faced with. The head coach initially attempted to restrain the assistant coach before becoming combative himself. Central Crossing lined up at the 50-yard line for the traditional handshake of coaches and players.
With the turmoil of the Grove City coaching staff, the Central Crossing coaches instructed their players to exit the field rather than shake hands.
Locker room door was barricaded
Our officiating crew went to the officials locker room to debrief and conduct our postgame review. We were joined by the OCC football observer.
We went through the observation and our postgame review. Afterwards, we attempted to leave and discovered the locker room door was barricaded shut. It took a great amount of force by violently banging the locker room door against the vending machine to create a wedge to escape, and we were unable to do so for an amount of time that placed in an urgent fear that should an emergency such as a fire occur, we may be trapped and face certain death.
It was unknown at that time who moved the vending machine in front of the locker room door. However, the only people in the building near our room were the coaching staff of Grove City. We reported this incident to our football assigning associations, the Ohio High School Athletic Association, Grove City coaching staff, Grove City athletic director, Grove City superintendent and the Grove City Police Department, and it is currently
under investigation.
We are sharing our experience on behalf of all officials.
Laws must protect sports officials
Most youth and high school sports around the nation share a common issue of officials’ shortages. There are vastly more games and more kids looking to participate in sporting programs than men and women are willing to learn the craft and serve their communities while putting up with coaches, fans and sometimes kids who believe they have the right to disrespect those serving them.
Not only is this behavior putting officials in danger, but it also prevents younger officials from taking interest in being a part of the officiating community.
No man or woman wants to voluntarily put themselves in harm’s way, let alone be disrespected and not protected before, during and after the athletic contest.
More must be done to protect the officials who sacrifice their time and efforts to protect our youth. We are asking for changes in the laws that protect sports officials, we are asking for accountability when the safety of officials is placed in danger, and we are asking that we be allowed to do what it is we love without fear of unjust repercussions. We love the work we do, helping to mold the youth of central Ohio.
If this type of behavior doesn’t change, there will be many more forfeits, cancellations and disappointments. Let us provide the youth with the examples that they deserve, and also show the youth that when you commit wrongful acts, you will be held accountable no matter who you are.
James Kakos, Christopher Mccaleb, Ronald Wilson, Keith Dalton, Nathaniel O’neal, Gregory Moore and D’juan Hammonds are high school football officials. The crew’s nickname is Soul-patrol.