Was I in the wrong here?

[ConnorOSU]

Thanks for the input guys.

I normally judge these things on what I have seen past CYO officials do, and it is common in this league to answer fans' questions. I also remember in my first ever officiating clinic that if someone ever asks your name to give it to them and your supervisor will always handle it and take your side.

A site monitor didn't come up to us before the game and introduce himself, so I actually didn't know one was there. But after the game (I think he was in the bathroom during the smiling altercation) he came up to us and said we did a great job, so that was nice.

And the OSU is for Oregon State, but I have a few Buckeye friends so I like to see them do well also

[Adam]

If a coach asks for my name, I'll give it freely. If a fan asks, i refer them to the school/church/tournament authorities.

A fan asking for your name is 99.999997 % bad.

[JRutledge]

I think we can talk to fans and you should under the right circumstances. I think that standard is kind of silly for high schools considering that we can often be in their lap or face literally. If I did not talk to fans in my career sometimes then I can think of many problems arising.

That problem would be if you listened to them as to what your job is or isn't. Fans know little or nothing about professionalism of officials and if you were looking angry all the time they would accuses you of something else. The key is learning when to talk to fans at all. But this specific exchange was not necessary but if you are standing right in front of him, it might have looked worse if you ignored him completely.

Peace

[Adam]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I think we can talk to fans and you should under the right circumstances. I think that standard is kind of silly for high schools considering that we can often be in their lap or face literally. If I did not talk to fans in my career sometimes then I can think of many problems arising.

That problem would be if you listened to them as to what your job is or isn't. Fans know little or nothing about professionalism of officials and if you were looking angry all the time they would accuses you of something else. The key is learning when to talk to fans at all. But this specific exchange was not necessary but if you are standing right in front of him, it might have looked worse if you ignored him completely.

Peace

I agree, and in this situation, if ignoring wasn't an option, I'd politely refer Dad to the site director.

After the threat, the game would not progress until safety is assured.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Adam

I agree, and in this situation, if ignoring wasn't an option, I'd politely refer Dad to the site director.

After the threat, the game would not progress until safety is assured.

I agree about the threat. I was more commenting on the action of talking to the fans.

I once worked a game where I was in a rather well known gym in Chicago and it is a very small gym and I was standing in front of a fan and the guy tried to move me. I got his hands off my waist and told him, "I am not moving anywhere and get your hands off of me." He noticed how stupid he sounded and the game moved on. If I did not say something to him he would not have been embarrassed. Not saying that is how you handle every situation and where I was I saw that is the only option considering what was going on, but it solved the problem. And no one knew that exchange took place but me and a couple of people in the stands. It was a win-win.

Peace

[Adam]

I agree there are exceptions, but I would be very hesitant to encourage a brand new official to do anything beyond my late grandfather's smile and nod.