http://www.newarkadvocate.com/news/s...s/1141379.html

Ohio State Senator John Hottinger gets ejected from a district finals game for what? Yelling at the referees at halftime, "That was horrendous, the worst refereeing I've seen in my life!"

I am embarassed to now admit I'm from the Buckeye State.

Guess what I did?
 

Here's the text:

"Please let me know the next time you are speaking in the Senate. I would like to come and yell at you, "That was horrendous, the worst lawmaking I've seen in my life."

Truly, as you stated, you are "the voice of the people" - the people who know nothing about the rules of basketball and who think referees care one way or another who wins games. We don't - period.

As bad as things are in my state (OR) financially, I'm glad I don't live in yours."


The "voice of the people" quote was in the newspaper story.

Here's mine:

Dear Mr. Senator:

I'm writing to express my utter dismay in your behavior at the Ohio State High School Basketball Championships. You apparently showed very poor judgment, poor self-control, and total ignorance about officiating. Officials do not get chosen to work a state final game if they are "horrendous". These men and women are trained, they study the rules, and have years of experience. I'm guessing that you, on the other hand, have no idea what a basketball official does on the court, have never even opened a basketball rulebook, and have (at best) officiated at one of your son's practices years ago.

The fact that you are an ignorant fan is completely understandable. (Please understand that I am not "name calling"; merely stating the obvious fact that you, like 99% of all fans, are unaware of the rules and mechanics of basketball officiating.) Your son was playing in the game. You had a vested interest in its outcome, you were emotionally involved in the game. Did it ever occur to you, sir, that the officials working the game had absolutely no vested interest in the outcome of the game? They couldn't care less who won the game, they had no emotional or rooting interest in the game.

The fact you stooped to abuse and personal insults is completely inexcusable. You owe the officials on that game a personal apology. Even if they were having a bad night, which I seriously doubt in any case, your personal behavior was revolting; considering that you should be a representative of all the people of Ohio.

When your own wife is quoted as saying that you need to control your temper, that should be red flag to the voters of your state. Sad day, indeed.

Sincerely,

Chuck Elias
Republican voter

I don’t buy this, something is fishy in Ohio. Heck, I’d take "That was horrendous, the worst refereeing I've seen in my life." as a compliment when compared to some of the things I’ve heard.

There has to be more to this.

The key to this whole thing (in my mind at least) is where he says in the article that he got as close to the officials as he could without leaving the stands in order to yell at them...so basically he charged down and over to the end of the bleachers and was screaming at them from a very small distance away...sounds like he deserved to have an escort out...the people who were saying things "which can't be printed in " this newspaper were probably standing right where they had been and were quite a ways away from the officials as they left...what an ignoramus...

Someone drop me his e-mail address if you would, as a person also interrested in the political aspect of our nation I would be interrested in e-mailing him.

Here's his response
 

Thank you for contacting my office.

I regularly receive a large volume of U.S. mail and electronic mail, so it
is often difficult for me to respond immediately. However, I will be happy
to address questions or concerns of constituents in the 31st Senate District
and reply as soon as possible.

If you are a constituent and have not included your name and mailing
address, please be sure to do so. This will assist me in responding to your
concerns.

Thank you again for writing. If I may ever be of any assistance, please do
not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Jay Hottinger
State Senator
31st Senate District

Notice he signs the email "Sincerely". Yeah, right. This form reply is really sincere.

As Bugs Bunny would say, "What a maroon".

If you want to email him, just type in his last name in a search engine and then click on his official US Senate page. There is a contact area there.

Not that it will do you any good.

Actually, it was his nephew. Otherwise, great email, Chuck - much more polished than mine.

Amazing (not) a way for a politician to blow off any letter that he recieves that he does not feel comfortable answering... :rolleyes:

His email is: [email protected]
see: http://www.senate.state.oh.us/senators/bios/sd_31.html
Looking at his bio, two of the committees that he is on made me chuckle. Judiciary-Civil Justice and Rules.

Being a newer official, I have come to respect the opinions of many of the members of this forum and thought you'd appreciate the story.

We had a City Council-man go nutzoid during a Youth league several summers ago. Verbally abusing the officials and threatening to fire everyone in the GYM. He had the Woman who ran the program afraid for her job. It got so bad that
the Police were called to escort him out. Of course all the time he was yelling "DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?"

Chuck, Nice letter.

Drake,

Just curious who and where that was. Is he still a city councilman?

Here's my reply
 

I've lost my tact as I age:

------------------
I'm impressed on how you show leadership to your community, particularly the youth.

You, sir, are a moron. It may be inappropriate to call you that, but I'm calling it as I see it. And the type of behaviour you showed is one of the reasons I retired from refereeing.

Brian Johnson, Retired Referee
Oklahoma

I was doing a summer league game years ago that featured a high school "phenom" who is related to an NBA player. He then went on to star in D1 and is now in the NBA himself. I called a foul on him and he loudly stated, "Do you know who I am"?

I replied, "Yah - you're the kid I just called a foul on and who will be gone if he doesn't shut his trap".

He looked at me with disbelief but shut up the rest of the way.

Like I care "who" he is.

Just curious who and where that was. Is he still a city councilman?

It was Brent Overson. It was at the Saturday youth league at Hunter High. He is not a Councilman anymore, but not because of that episode. (unfortunately)

This is a truly famous quote in a lot of cases. I believe this was one of the first lines used when Michael Irvin got busted in Dallas. It didn't work for him either. After that, they usually go with, "Aw, c'mon man...." but by then it is too late.

Quality of officiating aside, does anybody else eject a fan for saying this? I could have got a whole bunch of 'em.
Not sure if I've ever been called horrendous, but I <b>know</b> I was the worst referee some people have ever seen a few times.

This reminds me of a classic Davism.

Coach (after game): That's the worst officiated game ever.

Dave: That's impossible, coach.

Coach: Why is that impossible?

Dave: Because it would be too much of a coincidence to have the worst officiated game ever and the worst coached game ever happen in the same game.

"Coach, this game wasn't nearly as bad as the one I did last week!"

Re: Here's his response
 

As Bugs Bunny would say, "What a maroon".

HEY I resemble that!!!!

From Queensland Australia

Coach if you think that was bad wait til the next time you have me!!

Quality of officiating aside, does anybody else eject a fan for saying this?

No but I've have a coach tell me not to quit my day job only to find out his record was 1-8.

I have a couple of times, mainly when the fan does everything thing they can to get in your face and let you know it. (Like it sounds like the congressman did.) If it came blindly out of the stands, I'd ignore it.

This is what I sent to "the senator".


Senator

I find the behavior you displayed during a basketball game appalling. I expect state senators to act in way that is becoming of the position to which you were elected. I would expect a full and sincere apology to the game officials, to the school district, AND to your spouse!

Given the story (and I doubt it is a full and accurate story), I fully support the official(s) who ejected you from the gym. You walked down and got as close to the officials as possible and then verbally questioned their officiating? These officials did not make it to a State tounament because they couldn't officiate! It takes years of hard work, dedication, and sweat and tears to make it to a state tournament.

Quite honestly, fans that exhibit behavior like you did are the most cited cause for officials getting out of officiating! (See the www.naso.org). Most good officials will take some criticism without blinking. You took it too far by walking directly down to them and challenging them. You challenged the officials and you got what you deserved. Give the officials what they deserve; respect at the game and an apology!