STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) – The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association, which oversees high school sports in the state, has issued a letter to parents about abusive behavior towards referees, citing poor behavior in the stands as one of the leading reasons for a shortage of officials in Wisconsin.
The letter says: “If you are the mother or father of a high school athlete here in Wisconsin, this message is primarily for you. When you attend an athletic event that involves your son or daughter, cheer to your heart’s content, enjoy the camaraderie that high school sports offer and have fun. But when it comes to verbally criticizing game officials or coaches, cool it.”
WIAA Executive Director Dave Anderson says the vast majority of fans at high school sporting events are well-mannered, but he says a small but growing number of fans consider it their job, or right, or privilege to ride and berate officials.
The letter goes on to say, “more than 75% of all high school officials say ‘adult behavior’ is the primary reason they quit.” It also notes that there are more officials over the age of 60 than there are under the age of 30, and 80-percent of younger officials quit after two years because of abusive behavior.
Anderson says the shortage of officials has already impacted the scheduling and the cancelation of freshman and JV sporting events.
Those who are interested in becoming officials can sign up at HighSchoolOfficials.com
