Fan comment

[BballRookie]

If a fan called an official a racist loud enough that everyone in the gym heard, wouldn't that be an automatic ejection for the fan?

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by BballRookie

If a fan called an official a racist loud enough that everyone in the gym heard, wouldn't that be an automatic ejection for the fan?

While such a remark has no place in an athletic contest, the answer is no. And here is why:

99% of the game officials' attention should be directed toward knowing what is happening between the lines and the other 1% should be directed toward knowing what is happening in the bench areas. The only time that game officials should take action regarding spectator conduct is if any of the following this happen: 1) A spectator comes onto the playing court; 2) A spectator makes a threat of physical violence against a game official, player(s), bench personnel, or Scorer/Timer Table personnel; or 3) A spectator makes physical contact with a game official or any other participant in the contest. When any of these things happen do not address the spectator. Instead, stop the game and notify Game Management and let them handle the situation.

MTD, Sr.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by BballRookie

If a fan called an official a racist loud enough that everyone in the gym heard, wouldn't that be an automatic ejection for the fan?

Unlike Mark, I will have a fan removed if I can identify them and am 100% certain who it was. But when it's coming from somewhere in the crowd (or an entire section of fans), there's not much that I can do. I'm not going to expend a lot of energy in trying to figure out who it was either but if it's obvious, I will have it dealt with.