Motivation to do the right thing

[tomegun]

There have been many times where I feel like doing the right thing for the game and requiring sportsmanship at all times has left me vulnerable because it seemed like I was the only one on my crew doing this. I have lived in various states and have had the unfortunate experience of dealing with several players and coaches who forget about sportsmanship once the game begins. I currently live in Mississippi and have been brutalized by some coaches ratings while having a nearly perfect rating from my fellow officials. The gentleman from the state office recently sent out two emails addressing this issue as well as one email sent out by our local assigner. This is the latest email from the state:

As you are aware, the MHSAA has been promoting sportsmanship. One priority for the MHSAA Executive Committee this year is to improve sportsmanship. We have a firm that is directing a sportsmanship campaign throughout the state. The expectations of this campaign are to make sure that the game is played by the rules; and the actions of all participants (administrators, coaches, players, officials and fans) be conducted with good sportsmanship. We expect our coaches and players to play within the rules and respect the officials and their authority.

We also expect the officials to administer the game by the rules and respect the players and coaches. By administering the rules, we expect the officials, administrators, and coaches to appropriately deal with all unsportsmanlike action immediately after it occurs.

At three different events this week, we have had coaches and fans make racial and ethnic remarks directed at officials along with several other unsportsmanlike issues. This type of action is totally unacceptable. Game administrators should take immediate steps to stop this type of conduct. The game official must deal with all unsportsmanlike issues and this is expected of all officials. Be firm and be fair.

When we ignore unsportsmanlike issues, we condone the action.

Let's treat the court and field as an extension of the classroom.

This sort of thing gives me a little motivation to keep on the straight and narrow. Unfortunately for some coach and/or player, I have now been given some backup from the state to (continue to) call all technical fouls for unsporting behavior that are earned.