April/May 2020 - 44

Rage
AGAINST REFEREES
Abuse has led to a decline in certified officials,
but schools and states are fighting back
By Kevin Hoffman, contributing writer
By Kevin Hoffman, contributing writer
Scott Bistrek was sure he had just officiated
his last high school football game. He said
as much to his wife, Angela, as he drove
home last August from his season opening
assignment in Dayton, Ohio.
" I was literally crying, " said Bistrek, who
recently finished his 21st year as a referee. " I
told her I was done. The money, it's not worth it. "
Moments earlier, Bistrek became the latest
victim in the growing rage against referees. In
the second quarter of what had already been a
tense game between Dunbar and Roger Bacon high
schools, Bistrek called a personal foul against a Dunbar
senior defensive lineman. A minute later, as referees set
up for the next down, the player suddenly turned, took a
few steps toward Bistrek and lunged forward, driving the
crown of his helmet into Bistrek's right temple.
Chaos ensued, and after teammates restrained
the player from attacking a second referee, the crew
convened and decided to suspend the game. The next
day, after a visit to the emergency room, Bistrek was
diagnosed with a concussion.
" I didn't work week two because my head was hurting,
but I went to see my crew work the game, " he said. " I only
stayed until halftime. It got to be too much with the band,
the yelling and cheering.
" The (headaches) got progressively better, but I wasn't
finally cured until the end of October or beginning of
November. I cancelled football, volleyball, everything. ... I
lost a lot. "
Stories like Bistrek's are becoming more common.
Most times, it comes in the form of verbal abuse -
a coach or spectator hurling obscenities after a
questionable call. Occasionally, it ends with a violent
confrontation. In April 2019, Kenny Culp was officiating a
club basketball tournament in western Kentucky. As the
clock expired on one of his games, he was approached
by coach Keyon Menifield, who accused him of missing
a critical foul in the closing seconds. Later, as everyone
42 APRIL/MAY 2020
was leaving the gym, Menifield punched Culp, knocking
him unconscious. He suffered a concussion, broken
collarbone and cracked sinus cavity.
Culp, who was getting paid $20 per game, spent nine
days in the hospital.
Poor sports
Officiating can be a thankless job. Referees are often
underpaid, and assignments in sports like football can
consume their Friday nights. It's not uncommon for a
referee to change into their stripes immediately after
leaving their full-time jobs.
The decline in certified referees has added to the
stress. Fewer numbers means they're being asked to

April/May 2020

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