Posted October 5, 2022 at 8:41 pm
Abuse plays a role in the shortage of refs
On Wednesday night, the Minnesota State High School League hosted an online forum to recruit new referees and referees for high school sporting events amid a nationwide shortage.
Spokesman Tim Leighton admits the organization has lost some of its employees, in part, due to increased abuse of them by fans. See the article : Jason Brassard spent his entire life collecting the weirdest video games. Heist art..
“I would say that in the last two or three years there has been an increase in reports [of abuse] to the league,” Leighton said. “These unsportsmanlike behaviors, this is perhaps one of the few reasons why an official does not continue.”
Dawson Blanck is the executive director of Minnesota Youth Athletic Services and adds 21 years of basketball referee experience to his resume. Over the past couple of years, Blanck says the amount of disrespect from fans has dramatically increased: “People don’t really think anything’s going to happen to them. We all need to come together to really let people know that ‘hey, this isn’t it is tolerated in these events, ‘”Blanck said. “And if they don’t behave well they will go away, or there will be a consequence for their actions.”
Leighton says MSHSL is actively listening to feedback from students and administrators, taking an education-centric approach.
“It’s about educating, educating our members’ schools, educating our participants,” concluded Leighton.
