[JRutledge]

I think what is offensive in Midway, Alabama, is not offensive in Detroit, Michigan. What is offensive in Macomb, Ilinois, is not offensive necessarily the same thing that is offensive in Waukeekan, Ilinois.

My point is if you feel that this is offensive and a curse word (and you have that right) give them a T. If you feel that the context is self-defeating, then you have the right to take action which that official deems appropriate.

I think that what is profane to one is appropriate or acceptable to others. I personally do not care if other officials disagree that "Jesus Christ" is not a profanity statement or not. But If I call a T on a kid that just missed a open shot, and said it and I hear it, I would get thrown out of most conferences here if I would dare call that a T. Now if that same kid said that to me after he thought he called a foul, then I would be commended.


Now obviously we all are not going to completely agree. I really do not expect to change anyone's belief on this. You have to do what you feel is right and what system you are under like TH is under North Carolina rules. But I did want to share this story that was similar in nature.
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I was doing a 3 man game at an AAU tournament in Central Illinois this past weekend. I belive with about 6 seconds on the clock a kid felt that he was fouled or something did not go his way for some reason. I was the Center and far away from the play, but my partner who I believe was the Lead or New Trail in this situation and the play was right in front of him. I guess the kid showed his displeasure with my partner by cursing at him (I am not really sure what he said, but it was not JC), and then my partner gave this kid a T. Now the game was pretty much decided and the outcome was only a formality at that point. Because this was a summer game and tournament, there were kids standing all around this condensed court waiting to play the next game. Now an assignor was also our partner and a big time official in the area I live. The organizer of the tournament was also a big time officials in the area and was coaching one of the teams in the tournament but was not participating in this particular game.

Well after the game the assignor and the tournament organizer came up to the T calling official and wanted to know what happen. I had no clue myself but I wanted to hear the conversation because this was a situation where I could learn from what the "big boys" thought.

Basically they told him that(assignor and tournament organizer doing the talking) he should have passed on the T. They further said that the game was decided and there was not a need to "send a message" at that point. The calling official disagreed. He felt that this kid cursed at him, and because the player did this and many other players heard him, he felt that he need to get the message that his actions were not acceptable. And finally the assignor told him that, "If an assignor were to see the actions of the player and the actions that you took as a result, that assignor would think you did not know how to handle the game."

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