Officials Group Calls for Stricter Laws Against Sports Hooligans

(RACINE, Wis.) — "Recent examples of fans at professional sporting events coming onto the field in Chicago and bottle throwing in our nation’s capital at a hockey game, only magnifies the fact that society has changed in its respect for game officials, the players, and the game itself" says National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) President Barry Mano.

"Today the health of our games is being attacked by the cancer of bad behavior, much of it occurring in full view of our young people who participate in organized sports. We must do something to send a clear signal that such behavior will not be tolerated and we need to do so for two reasons.

"First, the men, women, boys and girls who give their time and energy to officiate games not only deserve our collective respect, they must have complete confidence they will be able to carry out their responsibilities in a safe environment. Without this confidence, we will lose the "best and brightest" in our field.

"Second, as a society we need to act on our belief that respect for authority is critical to living, working and playing together. Sports need to be a beacon, highlighting positive accomplishments and the need for sportsmanship and fair play.

"While education of the public about these vital matters continues to be important, recent events point out the need for strong sanctions against those who engage in bad behavior at sporting events."

What’s being done by NASO …

Since 1987, the 19,000-plus member organization has spearheaded grassroots efforts for legislation that increases penalties against those who commit an assault against an official while performing their duties.

Currently, 16 states have enacted sports official protection legislation: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Several states are considering legislation this year including: Florida, Missouri, New York and Texas.

Since 1998, NASO has provided a no-cost benefit to its members called the "NASO Assault Protection Program." The program provides all NASO members with legal consultation, medical insurance and game-fee protection in the event they are assaulted while performing officiating duties. This is in addition to a liability protection package also included as a member benefit of the association.

In 2001, NASO produced along with Referee magazine a booklet titled, When They’re In Your Face and How to Deal With It. This informative publication helps officials understand how to address confrontational situations and apply successful preventative officiating techniques.

NASO regularly participates in national and regional conferences on sportsmanship and has been a strong advocate of parent training programs focussing on the benefits and value of youth sports over the win-at-all-cost philosophies often times instilled in youth programs.

NASO President Barry Mano has appeared on ABC’s 20/20, NBC Nightly News. CBS Evening News, ABC’ Nightline, ESPN’s Inside the Lines, Fox Sports Jim Rome Show and Goin’ Deep, Inside Edition, Channel 1 News (a public school cable program reaching more than 8 million students daily), and on numerous local television, cable and radio stations explaining the importance of sportsmanship and the role sports officials play in the overall picture of providing an entertainment package called "sports."

Articles have appeared in nearly every major newspaper and magazine in America including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, USA Today, USA Weekend, TIME, U.S. News & World Report, Harper’s, People and more reporting on NASO’s activities.

For more information …

Contact your local sports officials association or the National Association of Sports Officials at 2017 Lathrop Avenue, Racine, WI 53405; Phone: 262/632-5448; Fax: 262/632-5460; E-mail: bstill@naso.org.