Quote:
Originally Posted by Back In The Saddle
I'm sure it's been covered and I've just lost the details amongst all the brouhaha, but...
What exactly are the officials there for? Are they just there to "show the colors" at this little ceremony? Are they supposed to observe coaches and players and penalize any inappropriate behavior? What is the officials' role and responsibilities?
|
The MIAA got a "ruling" from the NFHS last year that the officials' jurisdiction in basketball ends when the officials approve the score...not when they leave the visual confines of the gym. Anything that happens after that is penalized under MIAA rules, not NFHS rules (so a technical foul could not be called and it could not change the score). But fighting and other unsporting acts could be reported by the official and the players or coaches would be subject to MIAA sanctions (missing the next game or games).
This is part of a larger agenda that the MIAA has been implementing about the "proper role" of high school sports and the importance of sportsmanship. I am trying to be careful and present the "facts" and leave it to others to discuss them. The MIAA has the seven-page tool kit on its
web site that provides the MIAA position in its own words.
This was an uncomfortable "battle" last year that pitted official against official, official against assignor, assisgnor against the MIAA -- and that was when the rule was implemented on a voluntary basis. At state playoff time, it was no longer "voluntary" and the MIAA and the officials had a nasty standoff. Local boards do not meet until October or November -- although excutive board meetings happen monthly. I have not heard any comments from other Mass. officials yet.