I can't beleive this happened to me!!!

[KDM]

quote:

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Originally posted by Todd VandenAkker on 01-21-2000 08:43 AM
Demand that he leave, YES! But beyond that, retaliating physically to drag his *** out of there is totally inappropriate. I'm sure the urge would be there, but we have to step above such recourse. Walking away, then dealing with the incident later was absolutely the right way to go. I can only imagine the brawl that could have erupted had an effort been made to FORCE the coach out. Doing so would have only made the situation worse, and resulted in lost credibility for the official who tried. Defend yourself, yes. But do everything you can to deflate the situation, without escalating it instead. The "powers that be" are the people who need to take strong action after the fact to ensure it never happens again. By the way, let us know how this all turns out.

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Todd,

I hear you. But diplomacy doesn't always work. This guy came in and assaulted one of the officials. What if the official received a broken bone or severe cut rather than a 'nice bruise' on his backside? You would have to draw a line somewhere .... and I draw my line with the act of a physical assault and not necessarily the severity of that act. At what point do you deem it "appropriate" to retaliate or would you ever?

How would anyone know that the coach wouldn't assault anymore? This was a dangerous situation with an out-of-control bully. The heck with ... as you said, 'losing credibility' as an official. I want to add credibility with my full-time employer and my family by not getting hurt to the point that I would have to miss work and place my family into an economic hardship.

It only takes one incident and one injury to destroy or hamper your life. And I'll be darned if I'll allow myself to remain in a situation with an out-of-control coach who could, at any time, attack me!

Officiating is important to me ... but not that important.

KDM