Normally, I don’t voice my opinion on this blog for several reasons (one being I don’t think anyone is interested). However, as we start the spring sports season I can only hope the parental/fan behavior improves.
Over the last few weeks of the playoffs, some of the actions by local fans have been downright embarrassing.
Let me list a few examples.
At the La Serna at Sultana girls soccer Division 4 semifinal game, one La Serna parent/grandparent crossed the field after the game to the Sultana side and attempted to break up the team’s huddle because she was disappointed with the officiating. This parent went as far as to yell to the Sultana team “that you were good but you didn’t deserve the win.”
At the Montclair at El Rancho boys soccer Division 3 second-round game, one El Rancho fan stepped on the field of the play and ran up behind the side judge to surprise him and scream about a questionable offsides call. Luckily, play had been stopped during the penalty. However, the official felt threatened enough that he asked for an administrator, which of course, led the parent to quickly flee.
At a Del Rio League wrestling meet, a Santa Fe parent called out a volunteer scorekeeper because the scorer was having trouble working the scoreboard. The parent even went as far as to suggest the scorer’s motives were racist, not knowing that the scorer is a local administrator and has worked with children from all backgrounds for years.
Folks, let me reiterate that we all have a right to be upset, disappointed, maybe even mad at a call or an official or a slow scorekeeper. Also, there have certainly been several bad calls, such as at the La Serna match and at Saturday’s St. Paul girls basketball game, that affected the outcome. However, WE DO NOT have the right to berate opposing teams, officials or scorekeepers as those people, for the most part, are just doing their jobs.
On the flip side, I was more than impressed with how many athletes showed grace and class in defeat. In many cases, these youngsters were examples to their parents.
It’s time for the parents/fans/grandparents to take a cue from the kids and grow up.
