Criminal Record Checks

[gottaluvhoops]

I was recently in a discussion with a fellow member who also coaches. And he asked me why officials do not have criminal record checks as part of the membership and his coaching association requires it. I stated our association has made the choice not to do them, at this point at least.

What are some of your opinions to having officials getting criminal record checks?

[Adam]

Coaches spend anywhere from 10 to 20 (or more) hours with the same kids each week; often times in private settings.

Officials spend only the amount of game time we have with kids each week (maybe, at most, 10 hours). They're different kids each night, and never in a private setting of any type. Nothing we do on the court can't be taped by a parent.

My understanding of criminal checks is they are a way of trying to prevent any inappropriate activity between the players and their adult coaches.

[JRutledge]

I know we are subjected to some background checks by our state. But as Snaqs says, our interaction is very limited. I would think giving background checks of fans would make more sense considering that people that attend games will likely see the kids more than we ever will.

Peace

[Mark Padgett]

I've had coaches say some of my calls were criminal, but they never asked for a background check.

[BillyMac]

This is on our Connecticut local board's application. I don't know what the membership committee does if the answer is yes???

"Have you ever been convicted of a crime? If yes, please
explain."

[Bad Zebra]

State of Florida requires any individual who works on a high school campus to submit to a fingerprint and background check every five years. The state legislature passed the Jessica Lunsford act several years ago and all sports officials as well as any other type of subcontractor or contractor who enters school grounds must submit as a condition of their hiring.

It is expensive to say the least...around $65 per individual. Initially the state and local school boards absorbed the cost for officials. Now, a couple years in, we're on our own. Kind of a sign of the times we live and work in.

Jessica Lunsford was a 9 year old was was raped and murdered by a convicted sex offender in Feb 2005. Her assailant lived about 100 yards from her home. The Jessica Lunsford act also requires much closer tracking of sex offenders in Florida, which seem to be abundant here. Her murderer awaits execution on Florida's death row.

[26 Year Gap]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

I've had coaches say some of my calls were criminal, but they never asked for a background check.

Are you sure the stripes on your shirt are vertical?

[bigdogrunnin]

Originally Posted by gottaluvhoops

I was recently in a discussion with a fellow member who also coaches. And he asked me why officials do not have criminal record checks as part of the membership and his coaching association requires it. I stated our association has made the choice not to do them, at this point at least.

What are some of your opinions to having officials getting criminal record checks?

If you haven't done anything wrong, then there shouldn't be anything to worry about. That being said, Background Checks will begin in Texas starting the 08-09 school year, and at a cost or $65-85 to each official. I know a lot of officials who NET $750-800 per year calling games and have told me in no uncertain terms, that if they are required to submit to a criminal background check just to call some JH, JV, or the occassional Var. game that they will be hanging up their stripes. Whether or not they do . . . well, that is yet to be seen. I can't say I blame them.

MY opinion is that I am NEVER in contact with any athlete in a private setting . . . only on the floor, and yet I am to be treated with the same "caution" as a coach or teacher who is regularly in a private and unsupervised setting with students/athletes. Yet, in many states they are not required to go through a Criminal Background Check. I have a hard time accepting that scenario. But, that's just me. (NOTE: Criminal Background Checks for ALL education professionals in Texas (teachers, aides, etc.) were instituted 1-2 years ago, and will be in effect for ALL district employees beginning next year. YEAH!!!)

[bigwhistle]

Originally Posted by bigdogrunnin

If you haven't done anything wrong, then there shouldn't be anything to worry about. That being said, Background Checks will begin in Texas starting the 08-09 school year, and at a cost or $65-85 to each official. I know a lot of officials who NET $750-800 per year calling games and have told me in no uncertain terms, that if they are required to submit to a criminal background check just to call some JH, JV, or the occassional Var. game that they will be hanging up their stripes. Whether or not they do . . . well, that is yet to be seen. I can't say I blame them.

At the present time there has not been any decision made as to whether or not TASO officials will be mandated to provide background checks. It is rumors like this that keep our officiating community in an uproar over issues which may not even be relevant to us. Unless things change between now and November, you and your friends (as well as me) will still have that $65-$85 in your pocket to spend on something else.

[IREFU2]

Originally Posted by gottaluvhoops

I was recently in a discussion with a fellow member who also coaches. And he asked me why officials do not have criminal record checks as part of the membership and his coaching association requires it. I stated our association has made the choice not to do them, at this point at least.

What are some of your opinions to having officials getting criminal record checks?

In Virginia (VHSL), they have us sign a form stating that we have not been convicted of a Felony...bla..bla..bla. I dont know if they actually do the check.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by IREFU2

In Virginia (VHSL), they have us sign a form stating that we have not been convicted of a Felony...bla..bla..bla. I dont know if they actually do the check.

I think the penalty would be a charge of "falsifying a document" here in VA.

[Terrapins Fan]

Because I was a coach, I have had a background check done. I am for everyone having it done.

I coached for 11 years and refereed for 8 now. So , my background check was done way long time ago. Better safe than sorry. It's another plus to give to the school systems.

We had a guy come into our assocation that had a problem in his background. He was banned from the association, but not before he had done about 15 games for us. But they found out about him. There maybe others that we just don't know about. we have people move here all the time and get into refereeing.