Parent body-slams ref at high school basketball game

[Larks]

Parent body-slams ref at high school basketball game
Tuesday, February 10, 2004 Posted: 8:16 AM EST (1316 GMT)

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania (AP) -- A parent body-slammed a high school referee after he ordered the man's wife out of the gym for allegedly yelling obscenities during a basketball game.

The referee, Ronald Bell, 57, was treated at a hospital for a concussion and released after the attack Friday night.

Peter J. Dukovich, 47, was charged with simple assault, assault on a sports official and disorderly conduct. His wife, RaeLynn, who claimed the ref was making bad calls, was cited for disorderly conduct.

After Bell asked security to escort the woman out of the gym, "her husband came down onto the court, picked up the official, threw him on the ground with his back striking first and then his head hit the floor," West Deer Township police Chief Jon Lape said.

Officials say the rivalry between suburban Deer Lakes and Hampton high schools prompted administrators to allow only parents and grandparents to attend the game.

"We have parents who are supposed to be role models but instead we have problems occurring with parents fighting," Lape said.

Dukovich declined to comment Monday.