Quote:
Originally posted by JRutledge
Quote:
Originally posted by Red Neck Ref
And by the way this happened at a small christian school. You could hear a pin drop in the gym other than the kid yelling.
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Christian schools and foul language go hand and hand in my experience. Some of the most foul language coaches and players are at these institutions. So right after the pregame prayer, the coaches start firing up the F-bombs left and right. 
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I have also reffed at Christian schools (NFHS), and I have found quite the
opposite to be true. Not that the kids don't still get excited and mess up, but the atmosphere is
greatly improved.
Am I responsible for morality? No. But I am responsible for enforcing good sportsmanship defined by NFHS that is arguably based upon some moral principles. While I don't agree with Mark T. that the f-bomb by itself is an automatic ejection, I do appreciate and respect his promotion of high standards for good sportsmanship.
I do not ref for the money, the glory, or as a profession. I like basketball; I like working with the kids; and I like the exercise. If standing up for good sportsmanship and holding the players on the court to a higher standard than that to which they may be accustomed prevents me from "advancing," so be it.
Poor sportsmanship, bad language, and poor role models are, in my opinion, the greatest problem in athletics. (I wouldn't even take my kids to an NBA game today.) I believe I can do something about that in a small way as a ref if I stand up to it when I see it.
As I haven't even had my coffee yet this morning, I'll stop my sermon now. I will add, however, that I like the way this forum continues to force me to look deeper into the rules and their applications. Clear as mud sometimes...