[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

You still have never answered the question I asked. What is inappropriate language in the first place? There are some people that are a lot older than me that think it is inappropriate to use curse words in the presents of a female, but they must never spend time with many women in my generation and hear them talk. So what you might consider inappropriate might be considered minor in another person's mind or jurisdiction.

First, we are not discussing a situation in which you deem that the language is not inappropriate. We are discussing how to handle a coach, player, or fan at an NFHS game who does use inappropriate language.
You have stated that you would handle this in a manner which is contrary to the NFHS POE. That is what I have taken issue with. Why do you do that? Is that the path of least resistance? Are you afraid of the wrath of a coach or a local assignor? Why won't you do what the NFHS tells you to WHEN YOU DEEM THE LANGUAGE TO BE INAPPROPRIATE?

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Actually Nevada, I have never had anyone from the IHSA define what is "inappropriate" or suggest what would at least not be considered "inappropriate." I can tell you when you work games in the suburbs, rural areas and city areas, what is considered inappropriate is going to very different.

Do you need someone from the IHSA or the NFHS to define it for you? Aren't you confident in your own judgment of what is above the threshold?
I doubt that someone from the IHSA has defined what "disadvantage" means. How do you ever call a foul during a game? Do you just run up and down the court for 32 minutes and never blow the whistle because no one from the IHSA has given you a definition of what contact constitutes a "disadvantage." No you just use your judgment. Do the same with the language.

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Please do not speak for me. You and I likely do not share the same religious values, political values or social expectations, so save the "save the children" BS. My job is to officiate a game, not save all young people from all things that I do not agree with. Secondly, where I live kids have a lot more problems than who used a bad word. You know, things like poverty, drug uses and dealers throughout their community and not being able to afford and education and the prospect of getting shot. I think those are bigger issues than whether a coach that actually might help them get out of those situations uses a curse word in a huddle or what you consider inappropriate.

I never attempted to "speak" for you. That is why I specifically wrote "I believe that ..." in the passage you quote. That cannot be clearer. I am speaking what I believe.
What our particular religions, politics, or social experiences are don't matter one bit when it comes to how the NFHS wants us to deal with inappropriate language. While it likely will make a difference in what we judge as inappropriate, our individuality should have no effect upon what we do once we deem that someone has used that kind of language. That is why the NFHS has a national governance. The rules are supposed to be the same in every state in the country. The mechanics are supposed to be the same. The game is supposed to be the same. Now why won't you do what the NATIONAL FEDERATION says to do?

Lastly, it is obvious that you have lost sight of the why behind HS sports. Why does our society have HS athletics? It is to teach our young people lessons that they will need in life. The games are just that: games. They are learning experiences to help them mature and become good citizens.
Sadly you have forgotten that. This is not college or the pros. You have more of a job to do than to "officiate a game."

Kids all over the world face bigger problems than using or hearing bad words. Do you think that drugs, poverty, danger, and race issues are particular to your local area? That's laughable. Yes, certain areas have more or less problems than others and the degree varies too. But what does this have to do with how one conducts himself on a HS basketball court? Do these other problems excuse poor court behavior? Do they permit the use of profanity? Can only poor kids curse? Should we slacken the civility that one person should show to another because one of those persons has obstacles to overcome? Sending that message certainly doesn't help the problems we have in our society.
Why is it only a coach who can help these kids? Do you believe that the officials are not part of the teaching environment of HS sports?
And fyi I lived, worked, and officiated in Washington, D.C. for some time and I'm sure that those kids had all of the same problems that the ones in Chicago have. Those kids also need to grow up and become productive members of our society. If that process can be helped by something learned in HS sports, that is a good thing.