Liability Issue @ Ortonville

[GreeneFam]

I am interested in hearing some opinions from registered officials on this matter.

On Tuesday, January 23rd my stepson participated in a Freshman Boys Basketball game at Brandon High School. Due to poor planning or scheduling, or perhaps just mixed signals, no registered officials were present at this game. Instead, a woman faculty member of Brandon High School, and also what I can only assume was an underaged female student, were asked to "referee" this contest. I'm not quite sure the reasoning behind this decision. Perhaps Brandon didn't want to forfeit the game, or perhaps the parties responsible simply didn't realize the error they were making in this decision.

Am I wrong in assuming that the athletic director of Brandon High School made a huge mistake by allowing these two unregistered females to officiate? Two random unregistered females are not insured in a situation like this. Especially an underaged student. Had an accident happened during that game, both the female "referees" would have been in enormous legal trouble, not to mention the school.

Did Brandon High School violate any laws or rules by allowing this to happen? My son was on the visiting team from Rochester, and a few of us were appalled by this.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by GreeneFam

Am I wrong in assuming that the athletic director of Brandon High School made a huge mistake by allowing these two unregistered females to officiate? Two random unregistered females are not insured in a situation like this. Especially an underaged student. Had an accident happened during that game, both the female "referees" would have been in enormous legal trouble, not to mention the school.

Did Brandon High School violate any laws or rules by allowing this to happen? My son was on the visiting team from Rochester, and a few of us were appalled by this.

Check and see if your state has rules covering the situation. I doubt very much that anyone here could give you any kind of definitive answer. It's really outside our area of expertise.

I do know that most school insurance policies will still cover whoever the school designates to officiate, so I doubt that the there was no coverage for your team or your son. I'm not a lawyer though.

[Junker]

Yup, that is a state issue. In my state, as I understand it, the host school would have to forfeit the games because all high school contests need to have two registered officials (or 3). In middle school games only 1 official has to be registered with the state.

[chartrusepengui]

We cannot start a game with only one registered official, however, if something happens where an official cannot continue, the game may be finished with only one official even if the incapicatated official was hurt on the jump ball starting the game.

kind of weird.

All officials must be registered from MS through HS Varsity contests.

[chartrusepengui]

You cannot start a game with only one registered official. I have not seen anything regarding the use of non-registered officials. I'm not sure what effect a conference game using officials such as these would have on standings etc.

I think that the players/team members etc would all be covered under insurance policies for any injuries etc that might happen- perhaps even the non-registered officials as well. However, the insurance companies themselves might look to take action against the unregistered officials if they believed that their action, inaction, or lack of basketball knowledge was a contributing factor in an incident. In any case - I think that the game should not have been played under those circumstances.

[Smitty]

Originally Posted by chartrusepengui

You cannot start a game with only one registered official.

Perhaps that is true where you live, but I think in most places, you can play a game with only one official.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by chartrusepengui

You cannot start a game with only one registered official. I have not seen anything regarding the use of non-registered officials. I'm not sure what effect a conference game using officials such as these would have on standings etc.

Says whom?

I have had many games over the years start with one official. That is only a local rule if there is any rule that covers this at all. That also might not apply to the OPers area.

Also you cannot assume that the officials are not registered. They very well might have been. All you can do is talk to the coaches and maybe AD to who the officials are, but you cannot assume that they were not licensed or did not fit many requirements of that level.

Peace

[GreeneFam]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Also you cannot assume that the officials are not registered. They very well might have been. All you can do is talk to the coaches and maybe AD to who the officials are, but you cannot assume that they were not licensed or did not fit many requirements of that level.

No I know this for a fact, one official was a substitute teacher, the other was student, still dressed in her JV volleyball practice uniform. The teacher MAY have been registered, but I find that a stretch. And after emailing the principal he acknowledge that there were no registered officials present.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by GreeneFam

No I know this for a fact, one official was a substitute teacher, the other was student, still dressed in her JV volleyball practice uniform. The teacher MAY have been registered, but I find that a stretch.

Why? Because she was a substiture teacher, or because she was a she?

I was "registered" when I worked as a substitute teacher.

[GreeneFam]

GarthB-
No because the principal acknowledged it. The fact that they are females had nothing to do with anything. I did re-read my OP and agree that I used that term a lot, but I would have been just as upset if a MALE student had refereed the game. The gender was not the issue. I am sorry you are taking such offense at the adjective FEMALE.

I can only assumed I used the term FEMALE to better describe who had been chosen to officiate. If it was a middle aged white balding man, I would have said middle aged white balding man.

Again - my question is to the registered officials: Would this situation disturb you? Or should I just let it go, like one PP suggested and let them play?

[cloverdale]

michgan requires all officials to be registered to officiate any high school basketball games...

[chartrusepengui]

the rule about not starting with only one registered official is statewide. Another thought - kids 17 -18 can be registered in WI. They receive a "restricted" card which enables them to officiate any sub-varsity contests. My daughter did that a year ago. Got started with MS tournaments and this year has worked up through JV after attending a participating in a couple officials camps this summer.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by GreeneFam

No I know this for a fact, one official was a substitute teacher, the other was student, still dressed in her JV volleyball practice uniform. The teacher MAY have been registered, but I find that a stretch. And after emailing the principal he acknowledge that there were no registered officials present.

Well considering that there are a high percentage of officials that are teachers, you could be very wrong. I know a lot of coaches that retired from coaching and became an official or are an official in another sport outside of the sport they coach. Ed Hightower is a School Superintend in Edwardsville, Illinois and has worked in the Big Ten for years. Rick Hartzell is a Big Ten Official and is a college at AD at Northern Iowa (which I am sure he has a teaching background as well). I even think Hank Nichols has a PhD and was a teacher in his background. These are just famous examples, I could go on and on with all the state final officials in my area that are teachers.

Peace

[fonzzy07]

Originally Posted by GreeneFam

No I know this for a fact, one official was a substitute teacher, the other was student, still dressed in her JV volleyball practice uniform. The teacher MAY have been registered, but I find that a stretch. And after emailing the principal he acknowledge that there were no registered officials present.

I am a senior in highschool, registered and from what I am told I am becoming a good official. Maybe she is registered, and the school knew that so when they needed someone last minuite they asked her and since she did not know she did not bring her gear with her.

[tjones1]

Originally Posted by fonzzy07

I am a senior in highschool, registered and from what I am told I am becoming a good official. Maybe she is registered, and the school knew that so when they needed someone last minuite they asked her and since she did not know she did not bring her gear with her.

Could be. But if you re-read the thread you'll see where Greene posted the admins stated neither were registered.