What would you do?

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally posted by tjones1
Interesting situation I heard about last night. It didn't happen in my game, however in a fellow official that I am good friends with. The most common answer is probably going to check with your state, however I just wanted some input.

Here's the situation: (You are the Referee)
Team A is down 10 points at the half. Coming back onto the floor for warm-ups before the second half, Coach A comes to you and tells you that 4 of their players are breaking out in hives and wants the game suspended.

5-4 describes it fairly well, but what would you do?


In the sitution I just described, lucky the school nurse was in attendance and confirmed to the officials that the players could play and finish the game, therefore they didn't have to make a choice. I guess she thought that some of the opposing players were wearing tanning lotion that was getting on the other players, therefore causing them to break out.

With all due to school nurses everywhere: I would advise Coach A, that his athletic director should confer with Team B's athletic director immediately about how to proceed. If the school's agree to reschedule the rest of the game, that is their decision, just make sure you don't leave the game site without your check.

If School B does not want to reschedule and Team A does not want to play, do NOT declare a forfeit. This is an weird situation and I would send a report to your StateHSAA and let them make a decision; just make sure you don't leave the game site without your check.

MTD, Sr.