Root hard, but be respectful
Ahandful of games Friday night marks the beginning of what is traditionally one of the best times of year in Oklahoma — high school football season.
High school football has always had a certain charm, with students, parents and alumni coming out each week to cheer their team. Unfortunately, however, that charm can be eroded by boorish behavior from fans, a point made by the head of the organization that oversees high school sports in Oklahoma.
David Jackson, executive director of the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association, joined Karissa Niehoff, who heads the National Federation of State High School Associations, in an op-ed this week urging parents and fans to chill out.
“Inappropriate adult behavior at high school athletic events in Oklahoma has reached epidemic proportion,” they wrote.
Our state hasn't cornered the market on this sad behavior, of course. Jackson and Niehoff noted a recent survey of high school athletic
directors nationwide which found that 62% said the least favorite part of the job was “dealing with aggressive parents and adult fans.”
Adults acting like children has infected sports from youth level up. Recall the brawl that broke out in Lakewood, Colorado, this summer among parents at a baseball game for 7-yearolds, reportedly because they were upset with the umpire – a 13-year-old! “It has to be one of the world's most embarrassing offenses,” Wall Street Journal columnist Jason Gay wrote at the time.
Perhaps, although similar incidents occur all too frequently, the result of parents who have lost all perspective on what sports are supposed to be about — learning how to compete, how to work together for a common goal, how to win with class and lose with class. And that not every call is going to go your way.
Jackson and Niehoff wrote that nearly 80% of officials quit after their first two years, largely because of unruly parents and fans. This has led to a growing shortage of officials that has become severe in some sports.
The two executives offered six worthwhile guidelines for parents to follow: act your age; don't live vicariously through your children; let your child talk to the coach instead of you doing it for them; stay in your lane (don't coach from the stands); remember that taking part in a high school sport isn't about getting a college scholarship (only 2% of high school athletes do so, according to the NCAA); and make sure your children know you love watching them play.
“Purchasing a ticket to a high school athletic event does not give you the right to be rude, disrespectful or verbally abusive,” Jackson and Niehoff said. “Cheer loud and be proud, but be responsible and respectful.”
It's good advice. Think about it this way: Youngsters may or may not remember all the details about their big touchdown or game-winning basket, but they'll never forget the embarrassment that comes with mom or dad getting tossed from a game.