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In reaction to the Bangor Daily News’ important editorial urging folks to sign up to officiate at athletic events in place of yelling at the officials: I officiated Little League, youth soccer and ice hockey when my kid was involved in those sports. When asked which I preferred, the answer was “ice hockey.” Why? There was plexiglass between me and the passionate parents. Except, after one game a very irate hockey mom crashed our dressing room demanding to know how long us (obviously incompetent, blind or both) refs had been officiating (10 years).
We challenged her to attend an upcoming USA Hockey introductory referee class that we helped teach. She showed up, sat through hours of rules review and quiz, and did the dry-land walk through of positioning.
Afterwards she admitted she had no idea how difficult our job was and she didn’t have to deal with 12 people moving swiftly on the ice with knives on their feet and clubs in their hands. And she signed her kid up to become a referee. Friends, you can be part of the problem or the solution. Your kids deserve a positive experience, so sign up, cheer or stay home.
Larry Butler
Thomaston