Can You Believe This???

[snrmike]

This communique was sent to me by a fellow official. I am completely appalled. Now I remember why I hate officiating youth athletics....

Comment as you see fit.

From: "STEPHEN GARBACIAK"
To All IHSA-Registered (Illinois) Officials in the South Suburban Area:

I believe the information I have to pass along is critical to our continued safety as working football officials.

On Saturday, September 14, a football official working a game in the Southwest Midget Football League was verbally and physically attacked by two coaches. The police were called to the scene to ensure the safe exit of the official and a police report was filed. Due to conflicting witness information no charges have yet been filed. The National Association of Sports Officials has been alerted to the situation and will hopefully be providing guidance to the official involved concerning his options in pursuing legal recourse. The official sustained no physical injuries.

The purpose for this message is to further inform you that the Southwest Midget Football League Executive Board, comprised of the athletic directors from the teams in the league (representing the Dolton Bears, Glenwood Cougars, Homer Stallions, Joliet Titans, Midlothian/Crestwood Panthers, Mokena/Frankfort Burros, Monee/Peotone Junior Devils, New Lenox Mustangs, Oak Forest Raiders, Orland Park Pioneers, Palos Stars, Steger Wildcats, and Tinley Park Bulldogs) held a meeting on September 25 at which they voted to suspend only one of the two coaches involved in the assault. During this meeting they took no testimony from any of the three officials working the game where the incident occurred, yet they allowed parents and other witnesses to testify in support of the coaches. The coach who had to be restrained by several assistants, who screamed obscenities including threats of physical harm at the official, has been reinstated to his coaching duties after a one-week suspension. This is an unconscionable course of action that all officials should take notice of and react to immediately.

The group of officials who regularly work in this league, some of whom have worked it for over 20 years, believe working conditions in this league are now fundamentally unsafe, and will refuse any future assignments in the league, beginning this Saturday, September 28. Until safe working conditions are reestablished, I am asking all of you to support us in this effort and refuse any assignment you may be offered to work for the above mentioned teams. If you are an assignment chairman, I ask you to likewise please refuse to assign officials to games in this league until safe working conditions are reestablished. Please pass this message on to our fellow officials who may not have access to e-mail. If we all cooperate we can ensure that no official will have to take his personal safety in jeopardy when he walks onto any football field.