October 4, 2000

Fox Sports Goin’ Deep tackles sports civility issue
(RACINE, Wis.) — Sports and civility seem to be two words that have very little in common nowadays and the Fox Sports Network program Goin’ Deep takes an hour-long look at the issue this Sunday, Oct. 8. The program, hosted by Chris Myers, premiers at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. (Check local listings).

The National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) played an important role in the development of the program. Association President Barry Mano was interviewed as part of a segment specifically dealing with fans’ misconduct directed at sports officials.

NASO has observed that the number of these incidents are on the rise. Since Sunday, NASO has received three calls from officials who have been subjected to physical assaults while working amateur level contests in their community. The association averages two or three calls a week with respect to such matters and Mano believes that is only the "tip of the iceberg."

Since 1987 NASO has advocated legislation designed to protect sports officials and provide judges with the opportunity to impose serious penalties against the person that assaults an official. Currently, 15 states have such legislation.

For more information on NASO’s efforts to improve sportsmanship and behavior directed at officials, visit the NASO web site at www.naso.org or contact public relations manager Bob Still.