Lawref, I couldn't disagree with you(and mplagrow) more! I have seen so many good people over the years that have given up officiating, either because of the abuse that they have taken, or because nobody would try to do anything about the abuse that they had to take.

You're both certainly entitled to your opinion. Please just remember that opinion,if you ever happen to be assaulted by a fan when you're officiating. You might wanna let your partners know in the pregame also that you'll be "walking away" if anything happens. That way they'll know what to expect.

Consider all the time & effort a person needs to devote to educating itself to become a lawyer. Now reread this response. Not very encouraging.

I'm gonna tell mom you said this, and you are gonna get in so much trouble!!

I would press charges because I do believe that the person being charged would think twice about doing it again. We had a referee assaulted after a hotly contested high school game here last year. Father of a player on the losing team went down a back set of stairs, through the locker room and to the officials room, beat on the door and when the ref in question opened it he came in and took a swing at him, knocking him into a desk. The ref's partner broke it up and game management finally showed up and had the father arrested. He was charged and sentenced this summer to one week in jail and a $500 fine. He never apologized or admitted he was wrong, but he is now a pariah at his son's school and I seriously doubt that he will ever confront a game official again. Why should physically striking an official be any different than striking someone else?

I still say let it go
 

Pressing charges is crimnal action not civil. No injuries were listed. This can be taken care of by the school officials and the district's AD. Listen to the lawref and don't slam us because we don't agree with you.

We too are just as entitled to our opinion as you are. The difference is that we aren't making fun of you in spite of your opinions for which I strongly disagree.

Thinking long term, I may want to officiate at this location again. Pressing charges will either place me as a target on scratch lists, or problem will continue.

Again the main lesson is for the official to know when and when not to leave with a crowd around.

I believe that I said above that I fully respect the right for you,lawref or anybody else to have their own opinion in this case. I also don't think that I made fun of anybody.

I do have to tell you, to be quite honest,even though I respect your right to have that opinion, I have absolutely <b>NO</b> respect for that opinion. That's my personal opinion,Damian,and I'm entitled to that the same way that you are entitled to your's.

Right to disagree
 

Well, Jurassic, I'll do you one better. I respect that you respect Damian's right to his opinion, but I have no respect for your lack of respect for that opinion. Top that!

I'm not the type of guy to charge or sue people on a whim, and I'd like to think that most people are like that - especially officials - especially the ones that care enough to frequent this board.

We know we have to have a thick skin, that we need to check our egos, and that we must, from time to time, endure unpleasantness to do our job.

But this case clearly crosses the line of what is included in doing our job, and what NO ONE should have to endure, regardless of the situation. And, in my opinion, it ABSOLUTELY fits the criteria for a criminal charge of assault.

The fact that this official was lucky enough to have some small woman take 3-4 punches at him instead of her 6'6", 260lb son, is IRRELEVANT. What happens if that cop isn't parked outside? Maybe the husband joins in. Maybe his friends do. Maybe the whole crowd does. Then what? Is that unacceptable enough for you? Is that what it takes before you, as an official, say "enough"?

It's not about revenge, it's about drawing a line and backing it up. It's about reminding people that you don't get to do whatever the hell you like. It's about reminding people that officials have a tough job and ARE ENTITLED to a safe working environment. And, yes, it's about reminding administrators who need to promote more sportsmanship, respect, and common decency in their Athletic programs.

Maybe criminal charges aren't necessary here - maybe school administration clamps down, bans the parents from future games, or takes other action. But that's often tough for them to do. Maybe a proactive group of parents gets a wake-up call and pushes a program to promote fair play, sportsmanship, and respect. But don't hold your breath.

These people - and the ones who stood by and did nothing - need to understand that what happened is NOT ACCEPTABLE - PERIOD. If criminal charges are what it takes, so be it.

I close by asking this...what would you tell your kids if they witnessed this? Would you tell them it was acceptable?

Re: Right to disagree
 

I really don't think that we're in any kind of a "top that" situation here. What you said above is your opinion and you're certainly entitled to it, no matter what. That's only fair. Both you and I also have the same right to personally agree or disagree with each other's opinions also. It is quite apparent that we do happen to disagree on this particular one. C'est la vie!

Well said!! (but that's just my opinion) :D

I wonder if the school administration would be
 

upset if, the next time some woman with a 260 lb son at her side and/or a gun in her purse starts beating on me, I snap her neck, like a chicken? Yeah, probably. I suppose I should just take my beating and hope the kid doesn't decide to sit on me. Better me than her, right?

Damian - where do you stand?
 

I am sorry, but I didn't find your initial post to be very respectful of others opinions - it ridiculed them. And I am not sure what you found to be disrespectful in other's posts here - I thought it was a very reasonable discussion with the exception above and below.

A lawyer who calls women "chicks" and says they should stay home and make babies - he's backing your side. He is not only ridiculing the other side, he is completely disrespectful to half the human race and a number of responsible participants on this forum. It's unfortunate that he is allowed to provide legal counsel to anyone with that type of attitude.

Re: Re: Right to disagree
 

Mplagrow:: You forgot a smilie!!

Not even a question I would press charges
 

Yes, it's possible I wouldn't be invited or scheduled back at that gym, but there's only one reason why I would press charges.

I'm not sure anything could be conclusively proven or that the defendants would be convicted, etc. But I think that there should be a point made to publicize this story on the local level and one way to make that happen is to press charges. I would not be in favor of flogging this person publicly until they are convicted, but if it were broadcast that charges were filed, it might cause a few of the other hotheads out there to think twice. It won't prevent all irrational fans, but it may cause a few more to think about the issue when they read about it in the paper. Or maybe I'm just naive.

Juulie,I think that he was quite serious about the statement above. Either way, I've got no problem with that anyway. It's his opinion. No different than me giving mine, or Damian giving his.