JV coach ejection
 

This is a verbatim copy (except for names) of the incident report that I filed with my IAABO board last week following my ejection of a JV boys coach. I am interested in your comments:

"In the 2nd quarter, the JV boys coach questioned a call, asked to discuss it with me, I said “do you want a time out because I’m not stopping the game to explain a call to you?” he said yes and took a full time out.

He wanted an explanation about something that had occurred a couple of minutes earlier, I politely explained to him what I saw.

He said “that’s bull crap,” (his exact words), I stared at him in astonishment, my whistle was not in my mouth so I hesitated and stopped to think about it for a few seconds, this happened in front of his whole team, he took that opportunity to repeat it again, he again said “that’s bull crap” and added, “and you know it,” I then assessed the technical foul, I walked to the table to report it and continue on with the game, he approached me and asked what was the technical for, I said “your language and the fact that you did it in front of your players,” he said “what did I say?” I repeated what he said, he said “are you kidding, you hear that language on TV every day,” I said “this isn’t TV, these are high school kids and you’re teaching them to be disrespectful to authority,” he then turned to his team and said “take a good look at that ref, because you’ll never see him in this gym again,” I then assessed the second technical foul for this flagrant, unsportsmanlike conduct, which was an obvious and direct attempt to threaten me and intimidate me.

The Athletic Director was present, he asked me what happened because he didn’t hear anything, I described what had just occurred, the AD said to me “why do you think that’s intimidating?” I said “I’m not going to be threatened or intimidated like that especially in the presence of his team,” the AD responded “well, you shouldn’t be in their huddle where you can hear anything, maybe he didn’t say it to you,” I said “I wasn’t in their huddle, the coach wanted to talk to me, I explained the call, he didn’t like it, and it was as I was walking away that he said it loud enough for me to hear it and it was obvious that he wanted me to hear it, and I did hear it,” the AD then said “I’ll give you a choice, take back your call or I’ll rip up your voucher for tonight and your partner can finish the game, it’s your choice, Bob,” I said “I am standing with my call, I want the coach out of the gym and I have every intention of finishing the game and I will report this tomorrow.”

I told the coach to leave the gym several times, but he refused, and no one did anything to enforce my call. The game was stopped for 10-15 minutes while all of this was occurring because the coach would not leave the gym.

I consider the coach’s conduct to be flagrant and unsportsmanlike in using vulgar language to me in publicly challenging a call that I had made, and threatening and attempting to intimidate me in the presence of his players with his veiled threat to prevent me from ever working in that school again. I consider the AD’s conduct to be flagrant and unsportsmanlike in threatening to rip up my voucher, and attempting to influence me to change a call by threatening not to pay me for the game if I didn’t reverse my call."

Bythe way, the AD called me the next day to apologize. The coach was suspended for 2 games. My partner later told me that the AD expected good calls for the home team because "I'm the one who signs the vouchers." My partner also told me that he has been working at this school for 8 years and this coach has a history of discourtesy to officials, which, unfortunately, everyone seems to put up with.

Good for you. Looks like this guy was trying to do his best Bobby Knight impersonation, and you wouldn't have any of it. The second T was especially warranted. If I was the AD, I'd consider having that guy replaced.

I would have addressed the first "that's bull crap" comment without a T (although it still could have escalated into one later, I understand).

The second T was justified, imo.,

Where was your partner after the T? What happened with the game?

Great job, Robert. Actions like that benefit <b>all</b> sports officials. May I suggest that you also ask your IAABO board to send a copy of your report to the principal of that school as well as to their school board. If they won't, you do it.

He ignored the first bull crap comment. The second one in a row is what got him the first T.

Good report. The Ad's behavior was worse than his coaches. Even with the apology I'd scratch the school and never go back until the AD is gone.

What he said...without being there though, none of us know for sure the "tone" that was used. With that said, I personally don't consider this profanity. Probably disrespectful, but not profane. Considering where it went from here though, it was only a matter of time before the coach did something else to warrant one anyway....did you point out to the AD that he would have to have the little scraps of paper cleaned up by the end of the time out or it would be a delay of game warning?? :D

10 minutes for the coach to leave?:eek: Isn't that grounds for a forfeit?:mad:

I'm not going to make a judgement call on whether it was profane or not. To me, it doesn't make a difference. It was unsportsmanlike.

I had a coach tell me a call was (verbatim) "complete B.S." last weekend. I whacked him for it. Granted, this was based on his behavior throughout the entire first half which culminated in this exchange, but I consider statements like bullcrap, B.S., pathetic, worthless, etc completely unneccessary and unsportsmanlike.

Coaches don't realize that they're going to get a LOT more traction with me by being calm and explaining their side of the argument then by throwing out language that 13-year-olds use. I know you're not being constructive or objective with your arguments when you start using teenager language, thus, I have to treat you like a teenager.

I agree. We will never be able to change the mentally of the coaches, parents, fans and children of disrespecting the officials and ultimately the game if more officials do not stand their ground. When this action is allowed, the children think that it is acceptable behavior. IMO the fans, parents and children feed directly off the action of the coaches. Simply put, they follow his lead. If the coach would respect the officials, then I believe the crowd would follow suite.

Well done.

I was thinking the same thing. Were they notified that if the coach didn't leave, the game would be forfeited?

I have heard from more than one camp, when dealing with game managment issues, there is a difference between "that was a bs call" and "you are a bs official".... Again not judging, because you did say that it was a culmination of events, just throwing out some more discussion fodder

Thought this was handled fantastically......from beginning to end, even passing on the first "bull crap" comment....Even though it took awhile for him to leave the court, I'm glad you stuck with it and didn't declare a forfeit even though you could have.....a well-earned $25, or whatever they pay you there:)

Good point. I should point out that this particular coach's comments were directed toward my partner and I specifically, not to our calls in general. My partner told me after the game that he caught a few "You guys are pathetic" throughout the game, but apparently didn't feel the need to whack him as well.

Maybe in college.....not in high school. No place for it there(supposedly).

There is a misconception that if the rant isn't personally directed at the official that the official shouldn't whack the coach.

WHile I have told non ref friends that the magic word isn't what they think it is, its "YOU" for a laugh, there is a modicum of truth to it. However, its not just that. Its the body language. Its the demeanor. Its the historionics that goes along with the rant that can still draw a Technical even if the rant is not directed at the official but at the call instead.

I had a coach tell me quietly that the last call was "BS", and I let it go. He didn't show me up. He didn't get the crowd wound up. So I just ignored him. He let me know. I heard him. The game went on.

I didn't want it to escalate any worse than it did. I dragged my feet about forfeiting the game but my partner and I were prepared to do that if he didn't leave. Thankfully, he did, and we finished the game without further incident.

My sentiments exactly. 10 minutes was 8-9 minutes to long. Forfeit the game and send a copy of the report to the school, school board and the state high school association. Both the coach and AD should be suspended, fined or fired.

My IAABO chapter secretary forwarded my report to the NJSIAA (New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association). They are the sanctioning authority for high school sports. It was also forwarded to the Principal, because the AD told me the next day (tongue in cheek), "Thanks to you, Bob, I now have to meet with my Principal." He said this in a joking manner, not disrespectfully or critically.

Sounds like there is some type of History between you and the AD!

As a matter of fact the rule specifically states "Ejected adult bench personnel should leave the vicinity (out of sight and sound) of the playing area IMMEDIATELY.... Failure to comply with the rules of ejection may result in the game being forfeited.

I think I would have ejected the AD as well, using the standard fan ejection method. There is no place for threatening of officials by school personnel. I hope that the AD is sanctioned in some manner.

the standard fan ejection procedure where I am is to ask (usually the AD) to remove the offending party....that would be a good one...hey Mr AD I need you to remove someone...AD: "who is it" official: " ummm can you go look in the mirror" LOL

Great job handling this situation, including being patient and avoiding the forfeit. I'm glad you're an official.

Great job, Robert. That's exactly what's needed to ensure that crap like that doesn't happen again to a different official.

You also gained the respect of that AD from the sound of it.

I think you did a great job but I think that the forfeit was something that might have been needed. You said that you gave him the T because his comments were teaching the players disrespect for authority. He too, was being disrespectful all the way through to the point where he refused to leave and quite frankly "won" the battle although it appears he lost the war. When he continued to challenge you by refusing to leave - I think I would have gone to the timer and given him 30 seconds to be off before a forfeit was declared. If the coach didn't go - call the forfeit. I think you lost some integrity by not doing it. But - that said - I wasn't there to see/hear/sense the whole situation.

I believe the book recommends forfeits and appling T's on fans as very last resorts. I think this was handled as best it could be. Be patient. Good job. The game is for the players; they ultimately loose in these situations.

:confused:
Were you [DC_Ref12] robertclasalle's partner? Your comments sound like firsthand participation.

Thought I Had A "T" But...
 

Boys varsity game last night. Player A-1 is first to get a loose ball on the floor. He's on the ground when he controls the ball. I'm waiting for him to call timeout, or for a defender to also grab the ball, for a held ball, or for a defender to foul A-1, or for A-1 to pass or to start a dribble while on the floor. Instead, none of those happen. He stands up and then begins a dribble. I call a travel violation. The coach of Team A, a highly respected former Division I player, and a well respected coach, is right behind me. He says "That's not a travel". I say to him "If he dribbled and then stood up it would be legal, but instead he stood up and then dribbled, which is a travel". He responds to me "I hate it when...". I'm ready for some "T-able" comment, until he finishes with "...your right". Some coaches are OK.

Good Job. After the above comment, I would have replied, "That's the first time you have been right all night". I would block them and make sure I was the first call my assigner answered that night. This is high school athletics. Neither the coach nor the AD obviously get it. IMO, both need to find a new line of work.

Mregor

For me, the forfeit would be no-brainer when the AD threatened to tear up the voucher. Absolutely unbelievable!

Ya know what? They really should stop trying to teach "game management" at camps. Stick to mechanics and how to blow the whistle.

If someone crosses your line then take care of it. That's game management. Figure out where "the line" is for you and act accordingly.

That line is a flagrant technical when I'm officiating. First technical, second technical, whatever, that coach is gone. Football, basketball, baseball, it doesn't matter.

Five years ago, I passed on tossing a coach on that line. I regretted it then and swore I would never let another coach threaten my schedule while I was working. Do that and you're gone -- if you say I'll never work there again, what's the point of me keeping you around?

How is your new location treating you, Mregor?

Hey Rich - worked 2 playoff games this year so far. Just waiting for more phone calls. It's day-by-day scheduling for playoffs here. You get that D1 boys sectional final?

Roger M

Dislocated kneecap. Turned back my 2 boys games. Hoping to be mobile by baseball season. Missing it, but less than I thought I would.

Sorry to hear that. Your daughter should be about 3 now. Spend the extra time with her.

Roger