Abuse of Officials: A Sign of Poor Sports Management?

By

Dr. Lynn M. Jamieson, Professor Emerita

Indiana University

In an earlier blog post, the role of officials was discussed and included the issue of attrition, pressure, and problems occurring when officials are involved in clashes with players, fans, and others.  In this post, I am sharing levels of abuse that have resulted in injury to officials during and after sport contests.  The focus is mainly on documented incidents where officials have been involved in altercations causing physical injury, and not on the less visible psychological pressures they undergo in the process of trying to officiate fairly and equitably.  

In Orr & Jamieson (2020, p. 13), the following incidents were shown in a table that noted key sport violence issues where officials had been injured by players, fans or other members of the sport environment as follows:

• (Georgia) Enraged mother leaps from stands and chokes teenage umpire over call.

• (Delaware) Argument between coaches and referee in 11-12 game ends in hospital.

• (Pennsylvania) 10-year-old baseball player slugs umpire who made a call against him.

• (Florida) Coach breaks jaw of umpire after disputing call.

• (Texas) Umpire ejects female player for cursing in coed church team after prayer.

• (Texas) Former Texas Ranger puts referee in chokehold following dispute.

• (Pennsylvania) Policeman gives ticket to referee who threw him out of game.

• (North Carolina) A mother charges the field and slaps referee, gets arrested.

• (Wisconsin) Little League umpire assaulted after balk call, receives four stitches.

• (New Jersey) Recreational league hockey player throws skate t referee, injuring him.

• (California) Recreational league basketball official needs 21 stitches to repair cut.

• (Georgia) Youth basketball game of 7–8-year-olds, referee slashes coach with knife.

• (New Mexico) Player smashes aluminum bat into umpire’s face.

• (Pennsylvania)Father of 11-year-old wrestler sentenced 1 year for punching referee.

• (Georgia) Father and son confront referee after wrestling match, then punch those who try to break it up.

Several observations can be made when viewing this small list of abuses that occur between officials and others.  First, the incidents are not confined to a certain area but are distributed throughout the country.  It appears that many incidents occur regardless of where the game is played, and this makes solutions difficult to address since many cities are involved.  Second, many of the reported incidents occur in youth or recreational leagues, and this suggests that something is happening that is not being managed properly.  Finally, the incidents are caused by family members or players becoming irate after a call they did not only dislike, but they also became enraged enough to produce bodily harm.  Lastly, there was only one incident that involved an official lashing out at others.  

Injuries to officials caused by irate players and fans were also documented by Grieb (2015) who noted a particular incident in a high school football game where a player tackled an official and a teammate speared him with his helmet.  This and other incidents have wound up with assault charges made against the perpetrators. The fact that they have continued is problematic, even though many states have addressed laws addressing the problem and noting consequences to the perpetrator if such attacks are reported. There are state laws in many states, and, as noted in a 2002 report by the National Association of Sport Officials, 18 states had enacted laws against this abuse with many other states in the process of enacting legislation to prevent this problem.  Regardless of state law, abuse of officials continues to occur, and this issue is a contributing factor to the declining numbers of qualified officials 

What can sport administrators do to mitigate abuse of officials?  While laws may not fully solve this problem, it is suggested that more stringent management practices be implemented that make it more difficult for officials to be assaulted.  Here are a few suggestions that make sense and can be easily implemented:

1. Early detection and ejection of unruly fans.

2. Development of well publicized codes of conduct.

3. Strict enforcement of codes of conduct.

4. Better ways to address player frustration and anger through training and coaching.

5. Increased presence and action of security personnel.

6. Develop policies in support of state laws to better educate people on the consequences of their actions in intimidating and abusing officials.

Those who officiate games and contests already experience much pressure while becoming knowledgeable and proficient at their skill.  It takes time, money, and practice to become a good official.  Most often, officials get their first jobs with youth and recreational leagues as they progress toward higher levels of competition.  To be injured in a league that should predominantly be for learning and fun causes many people to quit.  It is the responsibility of those managing sports to address this issue with more care and effective policies and procedures.

References

Grieb, C. (2015). High school referee attack among many frightening, sometimes fatal, incidents targeting officials.  Sporting News, vol 09/08/15.

Orr, T. J. & Jamieson, L. M. (2020). Sport and violence: A critical examination of sport. Champaign, IL: Sagamore-Venture.

Still, B. (2002) Officials under Assault: Update 2002. Referee Magazine.  Racine, WI: The National Association of Sport Officials.

OFFICIATING: What is happening to all the good officials?

Dr. Lynn M. Jamieson, Professor Emerita

This is the first article in a series devoted to the practice of officiating.  We will cover this very important, and often overlooked role, of those who are involved with guiding the game and enforcing the rule structure that forms the framework of the competition.  Officials are key to competition that is fair and conducted according to the code of conduct and rules governed by an organization.  This often difficult and taxing role is performed by people who take the time to become certified, often in addition to their “day job”.

 While we address the many management issues affecting sports, particularly in these unusual times during the pandemic, it appears that we are ever more concerned with the role of game officials in providing regulatory actions to adhere to rules and regulations.  The role of the official (referee, umpire, judge) is often understudied and underappreciated.  Their role, however, is perhaps the most important part of the sport environment.  This report will address the current status of sport officials, issues being encountered, and potential solutions.

First and foremost, there is great concern over the attrition of available officials to provide support for sport contests. The issue of sport official attrition was underscored by Warner, Tingle & Kellett (2013) in a study of former basketball referees and why they dropped out.  Key factors included6 key themes:  Problematic social interaction, Training/Mentoring, Lack of referee community Lack of administrator consideration, Administrative decision making, and sport policies. These were said to cause referees to drop out of sport officiating.

Livingston et al, 2017 reported Canadian attrition rates “in excess of 20%” (p.1) means that the dropout rate for officials may be a constant problem now and, in the future, (1).  Noted in their article was the fact that this issue was not really addressed in sport research articles.  By enlisting 20 participants in a consensus-building research exercise, it was found that the topic of sport officiating was “understudied and undervalued” and needed attention.  To underscore the issue of retention, Dosseville, Rioult, & Laborde (n.d) surveyed 1718 sport officials to ascertain their motivation, training, stress, skills, and functionality (2).  It was found that the intention to become a dropout was related not to intrinsic motivation but more to their sense of obligation to fulfill the need, and this acts as a preventive measure for dropping out.

Obviously, the role of the official is complex, and often extremely stressful. Depending upon the sport, training, and development of officials is time-consuming, expensive, and difficult as rule and policy changes require constant surveillance and retraining.  Organizations are constantly in need of upgrading training materials, rule changes that need to be published, and responding to actions that initiate more change. A typical official is not a full-time professional, and lack of time to constantly update oneself and address how the rule changes are implemented can be a major source of stress. Further, the time spent in preparing for officiating roles is not compensated for, and when an official receives payment for a job, the hourly rate is small if the time spent in training were factored in.  As a former gymnastic judge, I spent countless hours going to clinics, studying for exams, and preparing for judging experiences while maintaining a full-time job in the parks and recreation profession and having major family responsibilities as well. As the sport of gymnastics became more and more complex with new moves and faster-moving skills, I could no longer keep up. Even though I fully enjoyed the role of judge, my full-time job commitments and increasing need for training were no longer feasible, so I discontinued my role.

The other factor closer to the main topic of this website and blog is the nature of officiating today.  More and more officials are involved in altercations initiated by irate players, coaches, and fans. Orr and Jamieson (2020) relate many instances of referees being accosted, lock in rooms, vandalized, hit with debris, and placed under extreme pressures to perform (3). Many drop out because the potential violence just simply is not worth it.  A recent example was an Indy Star report about out-of-control parents in Westfield, Indiana who body-slammed an official in a girls’ travel basketball game (4).  In this case, a controversial call resulted in spectators filming the referee at close range, a referee punching a spectator, and people punching the referee. Police were investigating the melee at the time of this writing.

The other little researched area and one that will become a topic for a future paper is the adverse pressure brought on by increased gambling interests.  What is the effect on officials of the increasing presence and involvement of fans in gambling on sports?  Are some officials unduly pressured to shave points, call fouls inconsistently, or other mechanisms that cause the odds to shift?  Is that pressure also a cause for officials to leave the field?

What can we do to encourage people to consider getting the training and opportunity to officiate sport events?  In general, the game environment needs to be re-evaluated to make sure that those who officiate are protected from those who would create a potentially violent episode.  Rules involving spectators should be enforced to prevent officials from verbal or physical attacks.  Some communities require fans to be silent during games. Others remove their children from situations that appear abusive. In the end, everyone needs to be vigilant of abusive behaviors and stop them when they occur. Improved ways to report bad behavior and consequences when these incidents occur can go a long way to preserving players, officials, staff, and fans.  It is a matter of positive governance in sport environments. 

References

(1). Livingston, L. A., Forbes, S. L., Person, N., Camacho, T., Wattie, N, & Varian, P. (2017).  Sport officiating recruitment, development, and retention, A call to action. Current Issues in Sport Science, 2.o11.doi:10.15203/CISS_2017.11.

(2) Warner, S., Tingle, J. K., & Kellett, P. (2013). Officiating attrition: Considering the experiences referees from a sport development lens.  Journal of Sport Management, 27(4), 316-318.

(3). Orr, T. J. & Jamieson L. M. (2020. Sport and Violence: A Critical Examination of Sport. Champaign-Urbans, IL: Sagamore and Venture.

(4). Benbow, D. A. (2021). Brawl erupts at travel girls basketball game in Westfield, ends in ref being body slammed. https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/high-school/2021/04/15/a-basketball-ends-brawl-involving-ref-spectator/7233512002.

Coachability in Youth Hockey

The term itself has become quite the buzzword in the youth sports community in recent years. It’s a word that most parents want their athletes to embody at a young age. What does this word mean in the world of hockey? Instead of simply throwing the word around, I’d like to break it down into important components and explain ways for kids and young adults to take ownership in one’s own coachability in order to put actions and intent to the buzzword. 

RESPONSIVE: Be open to the message a coach is trying to relay. The biggest hindrance in some athletes is their ego. They may not see their own shortcomings even after feedback from coaches. Caring coaches will offer constructive criticism to the athletes they see as capable to receive and implement it. Take that as a compliment. If a coach is actively taking time out of his or her day to offer feedback, they see something inside an athlete and want to bring it out. For the most part, coaches won’t spend a lot of excess time on players they feel won’t absorb the information or put it to work.

Real Life Example: The first few drills in practice are sloppy and the player is not sharp and ready. The coach may tell the player that they should take some passes prior to practice so that time and drills are not wasted. Instead of viewing this as “more work”, see this as beneficial not only to the player, but the team as a whole. More good reps = better habits = a better player.

SELF-COACHING: Top athletes are always seeking out new ways to improve their game. There are endless resources for drills and exercises online for players to incorporate in their off-ice training or during dead times at practice. Don’t wait for coaches to tell you what to do. Being self-reliant is a way to show a coach the important qualities of commitment and preparation.

Real Life Example: Summer months for hockey players are great for camps, lessons, and extra work. It’s a perfect time to spot areas where attention is needed. By doing this, players are able to use practice time more efficiently, and it also shows a coach the characteristics of responsibility and autonomy. Players who possess these qualities are easy to coach and develop into great athletes.

COMMITTED: There are three things to commit to as a youth hockey player: SELF, TEAM, and COACH. 

-By committing to oneSELF, the development of the player is in the forefront. As stated under self-coaching, constantly seeking out new ways to improve and hone in on working hard mentally and physically are ways to show commitment to one’s self. Not only is this positive for the sport, the value of these qualities later in life is unmatched.

-Committing to a TEAM means that a player and his or her teammates see a common goal and work toward it. Ways to show commitment to a team is: identifying and accepting one’s role, celebrating the successes of others, and elevating teammates both on and off the ice. 

-Showing commitment to a COACH is not only trusting their passion, expertise, and vision, but believing in their mission for the team and convincing others to buy into it. Naturally, some coaches make this aspect difficult, but staying consistent in what coachability means to oneself is the important thing and helps to engrain leadership and resilience.

Real Life Example: A team has lost a string of games, and players are starting to doubt themselves and the system their coach has in place. Moral and energy is low. A committed player recognizes this and knows how to combat it by selflessly working hard on one’s own deficiencies, elevating others by maintaining positivity, and convincing his or her team to stay on track with the coach’s vision.

Coachability is not something I can claim expertise in. Looking back, I was not the most coachable teen by a mile. As the saying goes,” Hindsight is 20/20”. There is no better way to learn and grow than by seeing one’s own shortcomings and mindfully correcting them. Though I come from a non-hockey background, my life has completely revolved around the sport for over 10 years. My husband plays professionally, and my son has started on youth teams with my daughter not far behind. In the summer months, we conduct business as JPL Goaltending, in which we host clinics, lessons, and developmental mentoring for youth to pro goalies. My learning curve for hockey was short and steep. I was thrown in abruptly, but I feel fortunate to understand the inner workings and the mental side of the sport, because it teaches so many lessons that we can all use.

For me, these lessons transpired into a series of children’s books. At the Rink: The Series is a collection of hockey-themed books for kids ranging from birth to new readers. With colorful graphics, big words, and a fun rhyming tone, they have proven to be a wonderful addition to a hockey-loving child’s library while playfully highlighting the topic of coachability as described above. 

Kellie Lamoureux

Links:

Book Series:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08Q6DKTDZ?ref_=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_tpbk&binding=paperback

JPL Goaltending: www.jplgoaltending.com

Confidence vs. Arrogance

Take a look around sports these days and you will find one thing on display in overabundance. Some call it confidence, some call it arrogance and others call it swagger. Whatever your term is, there is no shortage of it.

There has always been and always will be a fine line between believing in yourself and flaunting your ability. You can definitely make the argument that it is nearly impossible to succeed at anything in life if you don’t believe that you can succeed. Self-confidence has to be at the forefront of anything you hope to accomplish.

However, I believe we have reached a period in our society where the pendulum has switched over to the side of complete overconfidence and outright arrogance. Make no mistake, there has always been those larger than life figures whose mouths and actions were almost as legendary as their exploits (think Muhammad Ali). Some even believe that if you can back it up then it really isn’t bragging.

Maybe I’m a bit old-fashioned, but it bothers me when I see showboating and bravado at any level, especially when it filters down to high school and grade school. I recently covered a run of post-season basketball games and there was plenty of “look at me” moments. To me, it takes away from what the team is trying to accomplish and puts the emphasis on individuals rather than teams.

I totally understand the benefits of playing with emotion. In fact, it can be extremely difficult to compete well without any sort of positive energy. But we have now reached a point where everybody feels the need to celebrate ever single shot, every single tackle, every single play at nearly every level of sports. Just watch an NFL game. After nearly every play somebody is making a gesture on offense or defense, drawing attention to himself in every situation, even if it is the middle of the opening quarter of a regular season game.

Is it any wonder why today’s teens act the way they do? Most of them are merely emulating their professional sports heroes. Whatever happened to the guy who makes a routine play and acts like he was doing the job he was getting paid to do?

Personally, it bothers me when athletes make it all about themselves, when I see athletes literally strut onto the court during pre-game lineups, or even worse taunt opposing players and fans. Events can still be fun without people drawing attention to themselves by pounding their chests, pointing to the crowd or doing a variety of actions like blowing smoke rings after making a three-point basket.

I have no problem with sports providing an opportunity for release of joy and happiness. That’s part of the beauty of the game (we’ve all witnessed the sterile environment of empty auditoriums because of COVID). I truly think extraordinary feats should be recognized with unbridled enthusiasm. It’s just that when we exhibit those emotions after a routine play, what do we do when something truly remarkable happens?

There is no question that handling the highs and lows of sports can be a difficult thing for teenage athletes. That’s where mentors (coaches, parents, community members) can help provide advice on personal conduct. There are many life lessons to be learned through competition. Let’s all hope that the lesson on humility tops that list.

The LAST DANCE with Toxic Masculinity; The Hope for the End to Inequity in NCAA Basketball.

By Jason Gonzalez and Dr. Thomas Orr

A recent Tweet containing a tick tok video from Oregon Star Sedona Prince (click here to view her bio) rattled the NCAA administration and the sports world by drawing attention to the perceived inequality of the opportunities and resources afforded to them by their schools and the NCAA. The point was demonstrated even further when compared to the male athletes competing in the same tournament. If a picture says a thousand words, her short video was a mouthful that is leaving the NCAA speechless. 

The differences in the weightroom and space allotted were clear and distinct. The site of a passionate and talented student athlete pleading for equal treatment resonated with NBA stars, coaches of girls youth teams, celebrities, politicians and the common fan. This personal testimonial, coupled with common complaints by athletes, coaches, fans and academics prior to the video is creating a hotbed of issues at a time when the NCAA and its member institutions are trying to celebrate the return and glory of March Madness and the biggest stage to showcase the excellence of our student athletes. Olympic virtues of fair competition, integrity, and ethical performances to inspire future generations are consistently being balanced with the socioeconomic interests of the NCAA, Corporate sponsors, and the colleges that seek to make a profit and benefit themselves. 

Two popular articles entitled, “NCAA March Madness drops the ball for Women’s Basketball with Sexism Outrage” and “How the NCAA Has Been Screwing over Women’s Sports for Years” are filled with criticism beyond the already incriminating title. In the NBC News article many specific problems are chronicled with pictures, quotes, videos and social media reactions that share frustrations towards the status of women’s sports. The NCAA becomes targeted by many arguments that are quickly backed up with quotes and more information brought into this comprehensive article. The second article and many others provide further evidence and accusations geared towards this concept. 

NCAA has a higher standard when it comes to fairness and equality as it relates to gender, because of their affiliation with the federal government and are also beholden to its members who have historically advocated for this critical social value. One particularly strong effort by the NCAA mentioned in Sport and Violence; A Critical Examination of Sport by Drs. Orr and Jamieson states, “The NCAA has initiated programs to improve the general population of athletes by having them attend “YES Clinics” in the town where the Final Four for sports are held. These clinics for large groups of athletes feature athletes attending the Final Four. In addition the NCAA rewards their athletes for being positive role models in their CHAMPS programs. (p. 132) The NCAA has several major prongs of their organization dedicated to inclusion and improving the athletic experience of minorities, which includes an Office of Inclusion.  

The debate on what the NCAA needs to go is now at a crucial point as the attention of the world is on the treatment of our female student athletes. It is imperative for the NCAA to show leadership and stewardship worthy of such a great and worthwhile cause. Professional basketball teams and leagues have had a very difficult time providing an equal playing court for female athletes, however this is one of the few places we can search for best practices and solutions to the problem. According to research into the WNBA the league has also been constrained by a need to produce revenue. The authors outline numerous limitations that WNBA teams have due to the lack of money being generated by each team as well as the league in general (Wakefield et al, 2018). Right now, sponsors like Dick’s Sporting Goods and Orange Theory fitness are offering to help out as a result of this event and provide resources as this not only creates an opportunity to do the right thing, but they are being recognized as businesses that care about women in sports. An international dialogue is raging as stakeholders search for solutions and remedies which include long-term funding. Taking advantage of this momentum and finding consistent and long-term sponsors will be paramount to improving the future of women’s sports. 

ALTERNATIVES TO A SPORT SCHOLARSHIP – RETHINKING THE FINANCING OF A COLLEGE EDUCATION

​As the new normal takes effect in our society as a result of the presence of COVID-19 and its various strains, athletes throughout the world must reconsider the pathway to a college education that may be influenced by a reduction in athletic scholarships in chosen sports, an ever-present online component to attain a degree, and the increasing lack of affordability of a traditional 4-year degree.  Those who are currently affected by the many restrictions imposed on campuses and within sport environments may already be making difficult decisions about how they will attain their degree with or without participation in a collegiate sport.  Others are entering the period of time when they may be considered recruiting material for the many programs that continue to be viable for the foreseeable future.  Younger sport participants may be denied participation in sports that become enjoyable and interesting pursuits.  Regardless of age or involvement, those who participate in sports and look toward securing financial support will find the path increasingly tortuous and difficult. In order to plan for future involvement, it may be wise to broaden the thinking of those who are focused singularly on the pursuit of the almighty athletic scholarship.  Herein are several thoughts regarding the planning for financial support of college education that may not require an athlete to compete for a full ride through sport involvement. Bradley differentiates the athletic from the merit scholarship as follows:

Sports scholarships and academic scholarships share two very important commonalities -- they're offered as a reward for superior performance, and they help to fund education. Sports scholarships are offered to athletes who excel in the athletic arena, while academic scholarships are offered to scholars who excel in the academic arena. However, there are some distinct differences. For instance, the level of objectivity in the selection process and the retention criteria are vastly different (1).

An article on the Varsity.com website points to the difficulty regarding getting athletic scholarship and/or merit aid (given to students with high grade point averages) as follows:

We believe the best path to success in the college selection and athletic recruiting process is to be the very best academic student you can be, the very best athlete you can be and then try to find colleges where those attributes will be a better fit. If you are able to find colleges off the beaten path that are trying to attract successful academic students and college coaches that are trying to attract good athletes from your region (yes coaches like to recruit in new or different regions), then you will increase your chances of receiving Merit aid and you will potentially increase your chances of playing meaningful minutes as a college athlete (2).

1. There are many other ways to pursue a college education and afford the costs. For example, as mentioned in an earlier blog, parents and guardians are wise to set up a college fund upon the birth of their children. Investing regularly and wisely in this fund can offset the fiscal challenges of a college education. These college savings funds can gain interest over the years and be very useful to pay for the many costs of attending college. If parents and guardians invested one half of the total funds set aside for their children’s sport involvement, the college savings fund may be enough to allow for the child to have many options for where to attend school.

2. Academic scholarships for good grades are much more plentiful than athletic scholarships, and there are many more varieties available for full rides or partial support. Many college scholarships are not awarded due to a lack of applicants, or many are easy to secure if grades have been reasonable in K-12.

3. Redesigning what comprises getting a good college education is also important. With the rise of online courses and the continuance of advanced placement courses in high school, students may be able to pursue part of their college education without actually having to attend a campus in residence. This may allow students to be employed while they simultaneously pursue 1-2 years of college, perhaps at a local community college or online with the campus where one eventually wishes to reside. The advantages of this arrangement are numerous: lower costs due to lack of residency fees, working while learning in order to save funds for eventual college residency, and being able to develop maturity while still in a support network of family, friends and community. Options for sport participation are not denied because a local community college may have sport participation opportunities, or one may participate in advanced levels of sport offered by clubs and agencies in the community.

Re-evaluating the path to a degree that is less dependent on a sport scholarship has many advantages:  1) It takes a great deal of pressure off the athlete, family, coach and others to win and succeed for a scholarship alone, 2) It resets the original purpose of a college education as EDUCATION, and 3) It may offset the many disappointments that occur when an athlete does not make the grade for an athletic scholarship.  

Granted, rethinking what comprises a well-funded college degree is in order. Difficulties with establishing new models of how to get a degree will certainly prevail; however, colleges and universities will also be adapting to the need to provide all students with an affordable path to a college education, and many changes are anticipated as we all adjust to a NEW NORMAL in sport and academic goal setting.

References

1. Bradley, K. Sports scholarships vs. Academic Scholarships.(2021) The Classroom (Retrieved02/22/21atfile://Sports%20Scholarships%20vs.%20Academic%20Scholarships.html.

2. No Author. (2019). Merit aid vs. Scholarship Money. Varsity Edge. (Retrieved 02/22/21 at Merit%20aid%20vs.%20Athletic%20Scholarship%20Aid%20%7C%20Varsityedge.html#. YDQQoi2cZBw

Initiation of National Sport Policy in the United States – Becoming a Champion

By Dr. Lynn M. Jamieson, Professor Emerita, Indiana University

The topic I am addressing concerns how sport programs are influenced by and regulated as a result of standards that are imposed by laws, regulations, and policies. Governance, or the way in which regulatory efforts are developed and implemented, is an important part of the sport system. Almost every sport in the world is affected by the way in which policies are generated from an organization involved with a single sport, such as USA Badminton, multiple sports, such as the National Alliance on Youth Sport, or a profession inclusive of sport, such as the National Recreation and Park Association. Further, governance organizations exist at a local, regional, national, and international level. Such organizations may or may not be directly affiliated with governments. For example, the Australian Sport Institute and the Australian Sport Commission is directly affiliated with the Australian national government out of Canberra. These have great influence on the organizations that exist at the state level, which then provides support for governmental, school, and club operations at the local level. In the United States, international and national sport organizations operate independent of national governmental organizations. Policies that generate from Australian national government directly affect the national, regional, state, and local levels; however, in the United States, such policies generated at the governmental level have no direct effect on national, regional, state, and local organizations. One recent and potential exception in the United States model is the recent development of a national youth sport policy out of the Department of Health and Human Services. This policy is gaining traction as the first sport policy developed at a national level. The policy will have a positive effect on all youth organizations as enabling, but not mandatory, legislation. To date, since the development of the policy, approximately 70 organizations have become Champions of the National Youth Sport Strategy. We are proud to be considered Champions in this effort.

Notwithstanding, problems arise in sport when there appears to be limited policy direction. In looking at many sport organizational documents, it appears that policies and attendant consequences are often poorly stated or absent. Recent issues with USA Gymnastics points to years of failure to face sexual assault of participants. It took the gymnasts themselves to face their nemesis in order to secure resolution. Since this widely reported issue, many sport organizations are writing stronger policies about safety of athletes. And the USA Gymnastics case is the main point – failures to establish strong sport policy can often be the root cause of why violent episodes occur. 

Since 1984, I have been interested in studying how other countries respond to sport development.  My initial experience with this occurred at an international sport symposium sponsored during the Los Angeles Olympics.  Representatives from 17 countries participated in this event and shared various aspects of sport development in their respective countries.  This particular event emphasized “Sport for All”, a concept initiated by Pierre de Coubertin in 1909.  As the first leader of the modern Olympics, he indicated that sports should not only be for the elite, but it also is a responsibility of every country to make sport experiences accessible to all individuals.  As such, sport governance extended to the full range of sport participation, and all countries were encouraged to develop sport programs at the national level that encourage mass participation and supported efforts to offer sport at the local level to all. Through an international study of sport policy conducted by Pan and Jamieson (2000), 84 countries responded to share the nature of policy development in their respective countries. From 2000 to 2016, an intensive on-site interview process yielded information from 13 countries and online viewing of country policy directions gleaned many documents developed by an additional 20 countries with respect to sport policy. It was found that many countries have current sport policies that govern the general participation in sport, and these were gained by conducting research on the needs of the populace, designing sport strategies to influence sport development at the local level, and to establish national policies that governed these activities.  In some cases, such as in Sweden, local sports occurred as the result of a massive volunteer effort to engage people in being active in local sport clubs. In other countries, multi-level national, state or provincial, and local entities delivered program support at schools, governments, and club systems.  Support came in the form of regulatory and organizational information, facility development, and training efforts. 

Policies that have been developed include several categories of regulatory information such as methods to reduce sport injury and unhealthy practice; organizational guidelines for sport programs; standards associated with those who coach, officiate, play, volunteer, and administer sport; eligibility to engage in sport; acceptable sport behavior and consequences for those who violate policies; mechanisms for addressing due process for those involved in a sport conflict; financial support mechanisms; training guidelines for those engaged in sport leadership; the role of volunteers and other constituents; special needs of target populations; facility standards; risk management, and many other factors.  If such policies are not clearly stated, chances are that issues involving sport-related violence will be more prevalent.

The United States does not have a comprehensive sport policy that provides direct governance according to the aforementioned policy list; however, the influence of international, national, state, and local sport organizations are rich resources for adhering to sound policies at the community level.  Further, the National Youth Sport Strategy is establishing an admirable grass roots approach that will allow for greater governmental influence and support for sound policies affecting youth sport development in the United States. This is an auspicious start for improving sport in the lives of all youth who choose to participate. Stronger governance of sport means safer and more effective sport programs.  Rich resources exist from many countries, and the more individuals who pay attention to effective policy directions the greater the improvement will be in the future.

We, at the Center for Sport Policy and Conduct are proud to be considered Champions of the National Youth Sport Strategy and will be working to help ensure that this national direction influences an improvement of sport program nationwide.

References:

Jamieson, L. M. & Pan, Z. (2000). Government policy on Sport for All: Developed and Developing Countries. Journal of the International Council for Physical Education, Recreation, Sport, and Dance, 32(4), 16-20.

Fun and Games

As a young boy growing up, my life was consumed by games. Some of my most memorable summer evenings were when we could organize a whiffle ball game in the alley which included the dads of some of us neighborhood guys. While we all wanted to win, at the very foundation was the element of fun and having an enjoyable experience. Oh, how times have changed.

Attend just about any little league game or grade school basketball contest and you will be hard-pressed to find the fun factor. Instead, you will be exposed to overbearing parents, coaches who are trying to win at all costs, officials who are berated for nearly every call, and little kids who are feeling the weight of the world on their shoulders trying to meet the expectations of all involved. Youth wrestling tournaments are even more complex and I have often seen way more tears of frustration than smiles of satisfaction.

I understand that society has been accused of coddling kids and that we live in an age where it seems like everybody gets a participation trophy. I do think kids need to learn at a young age that losing is part of extra-curricular activities and that there is nothing wrong with losing as long they gave their best effort. Unfortunately, we have become obsessed with what we determine to be success. Keep in mind that we are talking about kids under the age of 12 who are still learning the fundamentals of their sport.

Let’s face it, in every contest there is going to be a winner and a loser. If our measure of success simply boils down to winning, there are going to be a lot more examples of failure than anything else. Is it any wonder why there doesn’t seem to be much fun at youth sporting events?

Life is not all about having fun, but regardless of your occupation or vocation, at the very foundation you have to enjoy what you are doing. Individuals will never reach their full potential if they don’t. And in the case of young athletes, they will likely have a miserable experience or eventually burn out. At the very least, they will have a warped sense of success. At the very worst, they will suffer from low self-esteem because they will be led to believe that they are a failure.

Trust me, the situation only escalates as children grow older and the stakes (think potential college scholarships) became much greater. While most youngsters likely dream of becoming a professional athlete someday (like I did), in reality, sports were never intended to be a war-zone to determine the survival of the fittest, especially for little kids. Man, what I wouldn’t do to be able to organize one of those whiffle ball games in the alley right about now.

Check out more about securing this book in our book section or directly from the website below:

https://theparenttrappedwithin.com

-Dave Vilhauer, A resident of South Dakota with 39 years of experience in media. He started writing as a junior in high school and has collected many accolades since then. In 2002 he was selected the South Dakota Sports Writer of the Year by the South Dakota High School Coaches Association. then again in 2008 by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association, now known as the National Sports Media Association. He currently is the director of New and sports Information for Hub City Radio. Along with all of that Dave is also the author of his very own book ‘The Parent Trapped Within.’

Preventing Conflicts in Sport Participation

Dr. Lynn M. Jamieson 

Background

Addressing the subject of how to avoid conflicts in sport, particularly among participants, is a bold task to undertake.  There are so many ways that have been reported where conflicts exist, that it is often too easy to presume that sport itself is rife with these conflicts and therefore should be addressed with an exaggerated amount of control to handle the sport problems that arise.  This paper addresses what mechanisms should be addressed to avoid many of these conflicts, and notes that the ultimate value of sport participation is in promoting health and wellness, and quite often, serving as an instrument of intervention and peace.

Two Youth hockey plays engage in “Lockerboxing.” An age old tradition in Hoskey.

Types of Conflicts

There are many types of conflicts.  As Orr and Jamieson (2020) (1) point out, conflicts arise among teammates, rival players and teams, between officials and players, fans, supervisors, volunteers, and many others.  These conflicts may result in fights, intimidation, coercion, hazing, vandalism, mob action, verbal and physical abuse, and criminal behavior.  Once an incident occurs and is analyzed and resolved, it is often noted that such actions could have been prevented.  While it is inevitable that sport participation may result in exposure to violence, it is also recognized that the majority of experiences are positive and noteworthy. Conflicts arise in every sport at every level in any country, as noted by the article “Managing Conflict in Malaysia” (1).

The very nature of sport involvement and its network of players, coaches, officials, fans, and family consists of thousands of interactions through practices, games, and social interactions. These interactions should be anticipated and players, coaches, officials, parents or guardians, volunteers, fans, and organizers must operate consistently to learn what is expected, what the code of conduct entails, and what the system will be to resolve the conflict. All who participate should know how to report a conflict, or if one occurs, how it is to be handled.  The National Alliance of Youth Sports (nays.org) organization has made great progress in providing participating communities with all the materials needed to address a consistent message about how to organize properly, and how to address within team conflicts. 

Two players on the same team attack each other.

Second, the types of conflicts outside of the player realm but within the sport environment must be addressed through an aggressive effort to educate every segment of the sport environment, and the message needs to be consistent throughout the process of providing sport experiences.  To this end, two major points of progress have been made: first, the establishment of the National Alliance of Youth Sports under its founder Fred Engh, and the development of a National Youth Sport Policy through the Department of Health and Human Services. While these are admirable efforts and finally poised to influence how we deal with youth sports, we also must take into account that sport violence is a much broader issue involving people of all ages, occupations, and backgrounds; therefore, more policy development is surely needed to provide a consistent message to mitigate sport violence at all skill levels, for all people, in all circumstances.  In order to do this, we must recognize that the very acts defined as sport violence permeate our whole society, and as such represent a social issue. Our awareness of this issue is the responsibility of every citizen regardless of occupation, and this awareness coupled with organizational action will go a long way to curtail violent acts in sport. The following suggestions are made in order to suggest that sport violence may be simply mitigated by planning ahead and enforcing consistent standards in the sport environment. The suggestions center around preventive measures, consequential action during a sport experience, and systematic approaches to conflict resolution.

Prevention

The first strategy in prevent conflict is to conduct adequate advance planning for all events.  This includes appropriate procedural guidelines for risk management including safety and security, facility care and maintenance, and program implementation.  One area, for example, addressing potential hazards that can cause injury, if properly handled, can prevent injuries and annoyances over unkempt facilities.  Another area, guidelines for participant conduct, if properly shared, will reduce the number of instances that arise because there are insufficient ways to address conflict when it occurs. An example of the breakdown of facility and program guidelines occurred in the well reported conflict between the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons at the Palace Arena (2).  Fans who had been drinking heavily and not warned or supervised by facility security personnel became embroiled in a player conflict that erupted due to fans being located so close to the playing court and the player entering the seating area. In the postmortem following widespread reporting of the incident, it was apparent that there were no security personnel assigned to the seating area, and therefore, fans were able to misbehave and not be ousted.  Better facility planning and security assignments may have resulted in less conflict and better resolution of player misbehavior.  In fact, since the “Malice at the Palace”, the NBA instituted new rules for player and fan conduct and security oversight that improved the overall experience for players and fans alike.

Consequential Action

The second strategy involves establishing direct and meaningful consequences to actions that precede potential violence.  Sound codes of conduct that depict what will happen once the code is violated should be published, shared, and posted.  When issues arise, prompt enforcement of code violations, taking into account fairness and equity for those involved, should take place.  When people know that there are consequences to violent actions, situations are usually vastly reduced. 

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Systems of Conflict Resolution

In addition to properly planned and prepared facilities and events, and the existence of sound policies that address all aspects of participation in sport, there needs to be a sound system of handling actions that respect the rights of individuals involved. If a conflict ensues, this system provides for a violator and victim to be heard according to due process, so that facts regarding the incident are collected in detail and a hearing is held to consider what consequences, if any, need to be applied.  Many conflicts may be resolved within a sport organization by detailing facts and holding hearings to weigh actions.  In addition, serious criminal offenses will be referred to law enforcement authorities for civil action.  It is very interesting to note that in many professional sports facilities, there are holding cells that unruly fans are sent to during a game, and then they are released after the game is over, unless law enforcement measures require movement to a civil judicial process.

Staying on Top of Conflict

Regardless of the type of system selected, every sport program needs to address a way to reduce conflicts through proactive processes such as preparation for sport involvement, handling conflicts when they occur in violation of a conduct code, and ultimately providing a system for conflict resolution in matters that involve further investigation.

Of course, while conflict occurs in sport, the topic for another article will appear that identifies the role of sports in conflict resolution and peace-making. It is well to close by indicating that while sport has very visible issues with conflict, it also has many more benefits than problems.  The point of this article is to indicate that conflict can be managed, and issues may be resolved as long as sport organizations address fundamental organizational management.

References

(1)   Orr, T. J. & Jamieson, L. M. (2020). Sport and Violence: A Critical Examination of Sport. Champaign-Urbana, IL: Sagamore/Venture.

(2) Yusof, A., Omar-Fauzee, M. S., Abdullah, M. N. H., & Shah, P. M. (2009). Managing conflict in Malaysian sports organizations. International Bulletin of Business Administration, 1451-243X (4), (http://www.eurojournals.com/IBBA.htm).

(3) Abrams, J. (2012). The Malice at the Palace. Grantland Press Archives.

The Complete Fan

While much fan behavior is absent during the coronavirus epidemic, it is probably a good time to explore what makes a good fan and fan base.  I am reminded of my family’s devotion to the San Francisco Giants – a devotion that started when the Giants were based in New York.  Coming from a “baseball” family which included Charles “Cuckoo” Jamieson, a former Washington Senator and recent posthumous inductee to the. Cleveland Indiana Hall of Fame, the Jamieson side of my family was a loyal fan base to the New York Giants.  My brothers and me, as little kids, remember my grandfather Jamieson, brother of Charlie, regaling us with baseball talk.  He also was a coach of the Chevy Red Sox, a AAA baseball team out of Paterson, NJ, that played in Eastside Park, where Larry Doby began his career. My father played on that team, and his sister Marilyn was the team mascot.  Baseball was everywhere with Major League Baseball teams based in New York (Yankees, Dodgers, and Giants), later Mets.  The reality was that my father was such a fan that he actually moved our family to California not long after the Giants moved to San Francisco. 

He and my mother and many family members remember times when they would go to spring practice in Arizona, and take in many 3-4 game series while visiting San Francisco, a practice they continued until they were into their 80’s. I also remember their individual closets of clothing with a special section of Giants swag, an entire orange and black section of each closet.  I also remember times when I would call them, and they were too depressed to talk after the Giants lost.  In my mind, this behavior was and is what I would call true fandom.

Willie Mays statue outside AT&T park in San Francisco.

Fast forwarding to today, I am wondering what it takes to be a true fan?  At the present time, we are blocked from enjoying many sports that rely on spectators to develop an exciting atmosphere.  What exactly IS the atmosphere we miss – taken together there is the anticipation of attending a sports event, there is the movement among crowds that precedes the start of the game, and also sampling of FOOD through glorious smells and tasting your favorite treats (mine consist of a stadium hotdog and a beer).  In addition, there are many sounds, fans cheering, announcers enthusiastically describing play, the sounds of play, and the ultimate roller coaster ride to a win or a loss.  So much is missing as we hopefully creep back to the possibility that we may experience this again.  Now we view sports on flat screens, the seats taken by pop up cardboard fans, the announcers sound flat and can barely rouse enough enthusiasm to entice a cheer.  It falls flat.

In addition, all forms of sports betting ads are vying for the original slots that led up to a sport contest.  I wonder if sport betting is replacing the thrill of attendance at one’s favorite game. The sheer lure of these ads seems worrisome.  Are people started to gamble to take up the void left from the incredible amount of time that is involved in planning and attending a favored sport event?  What exactly is filling this void?  Hopefully, most fans are able to try new ways of using their free time.  Judging from widely reported use of parks and other outdoor venues, people are gaining an appreciation of those experiences that do not require a major time investment required to be the type of fan that spends a great deal of time on investing in a favored sport. 

Another observation is that maybe, during this trial period, it would be prudent to examine what makes the best sports fan, and what behaviors have gotten out of hand. There are well-documented incidents that show fans in a very negative light, such as times where fans have gotten into fights before, after, and during a contest.  In addition, incidents such as throwing bottles and debris on a field, or engaging in abusive behavior with players, referees, and other fans do not reflect well on the reputation of the sport.  Maybe such reflection will allow the sports world in its entirety to reconsider measures to prevent sport violence within and outside of fans and other sport representatives.  A simple adjustment of having fans be socially distant may herald the end to mob behavior and conflicts that result from too much crowding.  At the very least, our ability to return to sport events will rely on many new measures to be considerate of ours and others” safety.

In sum, to be a fan is a wonderful experience. Becoming a sports fan begins in childhood and is influenced by generations of people who invested in a favored sport and carried on traditions enjoyed by an increasingly wider family. In that regard, fans will return to enjoy their passion. Hopefully, a return to viewing the sports we love will also ring in a new era of thoughtfulness and enjoyment.