April/May 2020 - 47

Ohio adopted initiatives similar to those used in other
states - high school officiating courses, recruitment on
college campuses. But it's also considering significant
legislative changes, which would strengthen penalties
for those found guilty of assaulting a referee. One bill
would make assault a first-degree misdemeanor with
an automatic fine of $1,500 and 40 hours of community
service.
Nationwide, legislative action has been met with
varying levels of support. In 2019, Louisiana passed
a bill that made it a crime to verbally harass referees
and coaches. Proposals being considered in states like
Wisconsin, Missouri, Kentucky and New York would
enhance penalties for assault, but it's unclear whether
they have enough votes to become law.
Bistrek supports legislation in Ohio. In September, his
wife submitted an emotional letter to the state's Senate
Judiciary Committee urging lawmakers to support a bill
that would make it a felony to assault a referee.
" (Scott) talked of quitting officiating all together, "
Angela Bistrek wrote. " This man, who has missed
countless family gatherings over the years, and spent
so much time away from home, was thinking of walking
away all together because of the actions of one young
man.
" We understand that things will still happen, but
maybe people will think twice if there are stiffer
penalties, if they know there are consequences to their
actions. Sports officials need protection. "
An uncertain future
High schools can create classes, states can pass laws,
and associations can ramp up their recruitment efforts,
but in the end nobody knows what kind of difference
it will make. They do, however, believe that doing
nothing will have devastating consequences that could
include revised schedules, canceled games and skeleton
officiating crews.
The biggest fear is the depletion of quality and how it
will impact each sport. States faced with shallow pools
of referees might be forced to speed up the development
of newcomers, which could ultimately put inexperienced
officials in big time games.
McCracken believes recruiting and retaining referees
starts by changing the culture. At high school, college
and professional games, coaches and fans constantly
berate referees. That makes it hard to sell officiating as a
desirable job.
" They feel like if they're going to start refereeing,
they're going to end up like (the others) with everyone
yelling at me and hating me, " she said. " We need to
promote better behavior on the pitch. Players will want to
and aspire to be officials if they're respected. "
Bistrek and most of his colleagues have heard
complaining from coaches, athletes and spectators
throughout their careers, but it's only getting worse, he
said. He first signed up as a way to make a little extra
income, but over the years he stuck with it out of love
for the game. That love is tested when verbal sparring
crosses the line into assault, and it's why more referees
are hanging up their whistles. If the current environment
doesn't undergo a major shift, Bistrek said everyone has
to accept that the games will never be the same.
" The only thing I can suggest is let the coaches coach,
let the players play, and let us officiate, " he said. " People
sit there and think they know everything ... but if you
want to be so demanding on calls, then join us.
" We're human. We try to do the best we can, and we
attend all the classes we're supposed to attend during
state and local meetings. That's all I can really say. "
COACHAD.COM 45
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