I try my best to ignore the fans and for the most part I do alright. Last night I had some fans giving me hell, but not any worse than probably any other night. Well I was leaving the floor after the game and one fan in particular walked by me and said you guys are f****** terrible, and it just went all over me. I just want to know am I to just ignore that or get administration to do something about it? I have been officiating for 9 years and I still have problems ignoring loud mouth fans especially when they curse at a high school basketball game. Any help here appreciated.

You may not want to do anything with that particular fan at that particular time, seeing that the game was over. Just ignoring him and getting t'hell away from him and into your dressing room might be your best option. Having said that, however, I do think that the action of the fan should be reported. The best way to do so imo is to go through your assignor/association and let them deal with it. An official letter from them to the AD, with copies to the principal, local school board,etc. putting the problem on the record might be helpful to all officials who have to go to that school. If the letter asks for something like police protection because of fears for the safety of the officials, that's usually enough to get the school's attention and have them pay a little more attention to their's fans' actions.

Hang in there and don't let 'em get to you. It's the striped shirt they're yapping at, not you.

A question: Where are the admin personnel to escort you off the floor?

We only have a few schools here in SEMO that have someone take you to and from the dressing rooms, but it is always much much better when that happens.

SEMO; Camp Gir

Thats so difficult - but you must ignore it and move on. Everything is to your disadvantage to discuss, challenge or otherwise engage this fan any further.

You aqre protected in many states by laws about accosting a sports official. School Admin is the responsible party for your saftey and the fans behavior.

Report it please, before I get assigned over there.

Davism - "Gee, coming from a real expert like you, that means a lot."

Davism #2 - "Thanks. I'll put that in my diary."

"I'm not really an official, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night."

In Georgia (GHSA, not independent schools), the home team administration is given a statement by the officials (written by the GHSA director)to read before the start of all contests that basically says fans will be ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct. I'm with JR. You should file an offical post-game report when a fan approaches you like that after the game. You still have not left the confines of the gym.

moref,

File a report with the MSHSAA and make sure your association (if you're a member of one)as well as the home school Principal & A.D. are aware of your report and receive a copy of the report.

Side note: Where are you in seMO? I'm in the home of the Redhawks! Email me with the school name so I know what to expect if I work there.

That looks like the best possible response.

Had a team leading by 25 plus and their fans were wanting traveling called on the other team. Never ends! :)

Wait wait wait...you mean to tell me that some of you guys actually have the luxury of getting escorted off of the court? Wow..the only way I get "escorted" off the court is if the home coach has to open the door to our locker room...that's always pleasant....

Quick side note: Buddy of mine was working a tough rival game where the home team lost by 3. The officials' room was actually a phys. ed. teacher's office inside the home locker room. End of the game, the AD from the home school refuses to open the door for the officials, words were exchanged, and let's just say the door finally got opened.

I hope this was resolved with a written letter of apology to the officials and the association that represents them.

I accompany myself out, that's it :p have survived without showering with a team though (luckily I suppose) could be becuse I mostly call girl games :p

oh, 100 posts :D I'm a senior member, my my, time passes fast :p

more Pittsburgh area fun ...

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05352/624304.stm

Any you learn fast! Your English has improved quite a bit since you first started posting. I hope your officiating is gaining as much encouragement as your language!

Apparently, your's hasn't. ;)

Apparently, neither has yours ;)

In my association, we have the AD (Game Management) or Police escort us to and from the locker rooms. There is a police presents all the time at most of the games.

Presence, or present?

Presence......having another brain damage day.

Sometimes it is so wonderful to smart off to a fan (although I would not recommend it). I baited a guy last year and told him in no uncertain terms to bite a covered part of my anatomy (the REAR part). He just caught me on a bad night and was promptly ejected my game management (at my request). I have never, nor will I ever do such a thing again. I was in a place in which I could get away with it (middle of nowhere) so it wasn't a big deal to me.

But it did feel a little special to give out a little of what I get every night.

My first post (be gentle)

Had a parent/fan follow me out to my car in a dark parking lot at 9PM to confront me about "not calling f*ck!n 3 seconds". He was pissed. I'm about 6'3" 250 but he was right in my face. I started explaining myself to which he replied "I know all the rules now get in your car and get out of here" I caught him off guard by bluntly asking him for his full name, he said it wasn't important to which I replied I had to report him ... I walked back in the building and found the AD and related the story.

Long saga and two lawyers later I recieved a 1 sentance apology. Now guess the grade level???

6th grade girls. And the final score was 60-13. Must've been the officials.

I'm impressed with your self control while out in the parking lot.

I think I'm the rarity on the game management end. When I'm a site director, I usually run from the scorers' table to the door to meet the refs after the final horn. Apparently, around here, they're used to not having anyone so they hang around, get the ball back to the table, etc.

Oh, how I miss college ball . . . :p

[Edited by Mark Dexter on Dec 20th, 2005 at 12:16 PM]

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I'm impressed with your self control while out in the parking lot.

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There have been times, and this was one of them, where the drive home was needed to cool off. This guy was all talk, but I was definately ready to go if he swung - it really got the addreniline (sp?) pumping.

Follow-up stories. Seems like that school has quite a history when it comes to their fans.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05354/624840.stm

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/trib.../s_405663.html

I'm impressed with your self control while out in the parking lot.

[/B][/QUOTE]

There have been times, and this was one of them, where the drive home was needed to cool off. This guy was all talk, but I was definately ready to go if he swung - it really got the addreniline (sp?) pumping. [/B][/QUOTE]
Adrenaline.

Texas House Bill 275

Class A misdemeanor for threats or violence committed against a person the actor knows is a sports official either:

(A) while the official is performing duties in the official's capacity as a sports official; or

(B) in retaliation for or on account of the official's performance of a duty within the official's capacity as a sports official.