Disciplining Officials – A Guide

Jeff Stern showed the group the survey response to the first question of NASO’s Accountability In Officiating Survey: "Should officials be subject to formal penalties for errors in judgment? Overwhelmingly (68 percent) the response was "no."

When the same question was asked about misapplication of rules, officials softened considerably with 28 percent saying "yes" and another 38 percent responding "maybe."

"To me rules knowledge is the most important aspect you’re talking about," Marc Ratner said. "I’m very strong on if you make a mistake judgment-wise, that’s part of the game, (but) a mistake in rules is inexcusable."

Bill Carollo had a slightly softer view. "You can set aside a minor rule (misinterpretation, but) I think that you have to be accountable."

The session moved to the topic of officials who do a good job during the game, but who have off-field conduct issues. Can they realistically be held accountable for such behavior?

Steve Ellinger noted, "I think you have to look at what the off-the-field conduct consisted of. Was it conviction of a felony? Did it involve sexual abuse of a minor? Was it a driving offense?"

Where many local associations get into trouble when it comes to disciplining one of their own, according to Ellinger, is that "first they don’t have well-written bylaws to deal with those things, and then even if they did have them in place, sometimes they don’t follow them." Consistency of enforcement is the key.