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You have to love when grown parents argue over high school sports. It's one thing to talk about it, but when it gets to the point of acting like 2-year-olds over an outcome of a high school soccer match, you really feel bad for the kids that have to call these idiots "parents."
That's exactly what I and a reporter from the Tribune said when talking about recent postings on message boards and blogs.
Guess what - officials make bad calls, just like coaches, players and reporters tend to make mistakes. It's part of life, and most of the time never done on purpose. I've been involved in games where I thought an official blew a call. Christ, I was a catcher growing up, and I know there were numerous times I wanted to turn around during a high school game and say to the ump - are you really paying attention?
Officials, like them or not, are the ones who give their free time so sports can be played. The pay isn't worth the abuse some of them take. How many people actually go up to an official after a game and say thanks...or better yet - nice job? Officials are in a lose-lose situation all the time. If they are right, they're supposed to be. If they are wrong, they're considered an idiot.
Sadly, half the parents in the stands don't know the rules, and half of them aren't even in shape to stand on the field.
No one likes to see a bad call, but it happens. As is life, things happen for a reason.
- Joe Trost
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I think I speak for a lot of parents when I say that frustration comes when the official in charge has a blatant lack of knowledge of the rules . There is a lot of time ,effort , money and commitment put in by players and their families at the top level of sports and to see it all frittered away by an official who makes bad call after bad call is tough to swallow .
I agree that parents can be mindless , and I don't for one moment suggest that all officials are bad , because they aren't . Just a few .
When children are at risk of injury, just saying officials make bad calls is not enough. After watching my daughter play in high school soccer - I felt everytime she went on the field she was at risk. Sandburg has refs that are coaches for the same kids on thier club teams - I've never seen such one sided games in my life. It's disgusting and should be stopped.
They're being paid, if they don't think the pay is worth it, don't do it. There's college kids out there that'd be more than happy to ref and would do a better job.
When kids are being hit, tripped and slid into without regard to the rules and the ref just says "play on" - kids will get hurt. It's not a sport at that point - it's child abuse! If the refs can't do the job, they shouldn't be out there. If the school can't put on a game with proper supervision - they shouldn't offer the sport. Most kids play on clubs now. These club players have elevated the level of play to dangerous levels.
Not to mention how clubs have invaded our schools to the point that high school coaches insist players join a certain club.
Club players should not be allowed on high school teams - they have an outlet already. Taxpayers should not have to pay taxes for kids to play sports, especially the ones that are paying to play on clubs, they should only be funding academics. Most of the coaches I've seen in high school aren't capable, and some are outright embarassing and shouldn't be allowed to coach children. The IHSA is the biggest child abuser in the state, I've found that they don't even keep track injuries or who caused them. I could care less who wins or loses, it's just a game - but when kids are getting hurt, some seriously, then we shouldn't just stand by and watch.
Thank you.
Sorry , I think you're way off the mark . If you feel your daughter was in physical danger EVERYTIME she went on the field , you're overreacting . I have two sons that have played at Sandburg many times and I've never felt they were any more biased than any other refs .
As for your comments regarding the IHSA being child abusers , and club players not being allowed to play high school , thats just plain dumb.
This is a contact sport we all love to play . We take the good with the bad . We hope we better our game , not destroy it.
to abc123, To be honest with you I have yet to find a parent that understands the laws of the beautiful game. In football the laws, notice they are not rules, are their to keep the game flowing. The use of 'play on' is there so the game continues. In the American sports a foul is called to penalize a team, in football a foul stops play thus giving the advantage to the team committing the foul.
On your statement that college kids would love to referee a game - you could not be more mistaken. There is grave shortage of referees, and thus even a bigger greater one of qualified ones. One might ask why - well the greatest reason is Abusive Parents. The best advice to parents is to sit down and enjoy your child's effort. Most will not play much past high school so allow them to enjoy the game with listening to you yell at every mistaken call.
As for clubs, if your Coach is demanding your child play for one club over another report him. IHSA has strict rules regarding this. Then again maybe it because the child is not capable of playing at that level. mmmm Further Clubs are not allow to have teams during the High School season, why - because IHSA refuses to allow it. They do not want the competition between HS and Club. If you do not believe this check out why the Academy Teams have started up on the boys level.
As coaches, well you have this one right on. Most are bad. Because the IHSA refuses to allow schools to hire qualified coaches. All coaches have to be teachers per IHSA rules. Most played the sport at some time and think they know it. Boy are they wrong.
ABC - just remember football is not a no touch sport. If you think you know the rules then I suggest you take the United States Soccer Federation Referee test (see www.iysa.org - referees for time and dates.) If you past it then go out a referee a game. It is alot tougher then you think. Plus you have all the Genisus' (parents) who think they know the laws 2nd guessing you.
In closing I suggest to all parents to relax and enjoy. This should be the best time of child's life. How can it be when you are always yelling and complaining.
DB-CR: Just FYI, the IHSA does not mandate that all coaches must be teachers. IHSA mandates that all coaches are certified. If a coach is not a teacher then she/he must pass the ACEP certification program.