Sports and Society

Hi all.

I know, I know. Its been over a year since we've posted here. Life happens. But suddenly, there is an event that I feel that I need to write about. That is the fact that a Salt Lake City area referee for a Rec League soccer game died as a result of being punched in the face by a player. This story has gotten some play on Sports Radio, which I listen to while at work, and someone said that the disrespect of Refs is a reflection of our society as a whole. This got me thinking of how it actually would be a reflection of society. We don't have Refs in life. So how does it relate?

Side note, I just want to say that complaining to Refs, especially in the NBA, has become an ever growing problem. The abuse that these officials take on a daily basis is ridiculous. Not only from fans, but also coaches and players. It would be great if every call was as easy to call as a nice hack across the arm, but they aren't. Its ok if a call goes against your team, especially if it was the right call. However, the problem with complaining to refs is almost worst in Little League. As a Dad, I understand that wanting whats best for your Kid. However, Little League is not the State Championships, its not the Final Four and its not the NBA Playoffs. Little League is for kids to learn to have fun playing a sport that keeps them active while also teaching them important life skills like hard work, teamwork, practice, and sportsmanship. The facts are that you are probably going to lose out on something in your lifetime. Where then is a better place to learn about being a good sport/loser than as a kid, playing a game that ultimately doesn't matter? As such, parents need to show their kids, by example, that they understand that its just a game.

However, the problem is that this type of disrespect is now spilling in to real life (back on topic). Teachers are now taking the abuse that is shown to these volunteer referees, and its worse. Whenever a child gets a bad grade in a class, it used to be what is the child not doing to earn a good grade. Now, its the teacher's fault.

A small anecdote, in one of my letters of recommendation from a high school teacher, they said that I always took responsibility for my work. If I did good, great. If I did bad, I didn't complain about my grade, I talked to the teacher on how to do better and made it a point to do better at the next opportunity. Great for me right? Well this shouldn't have had to be a compliment. This is how it should be. I'm sure that this teacher was just grateful that I never complained to my parents and have them come down and talk to them about how they were wrong for giving me the grade. In a class for Students trying to get every advantage, I'm sure that happened a lot.

 Being a teacher and being a Ref are thankless jobs. We, as a society, should do better in our treatment towards them.