Where It All Starts

Recently we were treated to a fantastic perspective from Paul Levy regarding High School athletics in his article "Part of the school day." In this article he details the scenario where as referees we may occasionally run into a coach, who is also responsible for athletes that are students, and acts in a way contrary to what they should be teaching as educators. It is a worthy read that I commented on as it is a hot topic as we entered the high school soccer season.

I bring this up because, as a juxtaposition, I have recently been witness to an event that we as referees should remember when it comes to dealing with players ... many coaches take their role as educators very seriously.

There was a recent event with a player on Jr.'s high school team where a player was admonished by a referee and cautioned. While I was not there, from what was described to me, the caution was for dissent.

Now for many you would think the story ended there (and as a referee sometimes I left a field thinking it did) boy would I have been wrong in this case.

Just the other day I received an email both from the parent and the coach of the player making an apology and assuring the whole team (or family as he called it) knew the behavior was not acceptable and we (the team) will work together on it. I was truly heartened by the notes. Keep in mind, I was not the referee, Jr. is a teammate to this player!!

It was amazing to see a group of people own up to what happened, not make any excuses, and gather themselves to make it better next time out. No one in their right mind could ask for anything more.

I was personally humbled by the comments shared as it showed respect for the referee for being subjected to the behavior, solidarity for the team to work together, and compassion for the individual player who can learn from the whole thing.

As referees we need to remember that when we share 80 minutes of the road with some of these young men and women, we are not seeing the whole picture. We are not the first nor last line of defense when it comes to guarding the integrity of The Game. Today I was again reminded parents and coaches have a significant hand to play in there and are far more involved than we are in our role as referee. #respect

The process that is due

The other day I posted a story about the recent controversy here in the Northeast about the Needham (MA) High School soccer team and the suspension of several of their players due to a hazing incident.

There have been a couple of developments since then based on some feedback I want to tackle.

First, one of Kicking Back's roving reporters was at the scene and reported that the match was very one sided in Brockton's favor. Also Needham took the extraordinary steps of keeping the press away from the players and coaches before and after the game, and refused to provide the press with a roster of the players, or an official record of match statistics.

This is interesting to me. While I can certainly understand keeping press and players separate, as these youths no doubt are not ready for such an experience (heck at 25 I was not ready for my first experience), I would have expected statements from the coaches at least in reaction to the game. Even here however things may have gone bad so I am not too critical on this point. But to not give official rosters or records of the match? Come on.

Second, a number of readers have contacted me about the negative criticism in the press about the students taking their concern to court. It is here I am going to draw a very fine line.

I believe in due process as defined in the 5th and 14th Amendments of the US Constitution, and generally how it has been interpreted over time in both their substantive and procedural capacity. In this case most of the comments would seem to hone in on the procedural aspects of due process due to an alleged curtailment of a liberty, as quite clearly there is no "fundamental right" to participate in a sport as the substantive aspects of due process deal with.

Todd D. White of Adler Pollock & Sheehan represented the suspended players. While it has been reported Mr. White is a "... father of one of the soccer players ...", it is not clear if he is the father of one of the suspended players, or just the father of a player on the team. (source) This distinction is important as the parents of the players who chose to go to court have been criticized quite roundly, and Mr. White may simply be a "hired gun", and one who should not fall into that group. Also as a former soccer player himself for Columbia University (bio), he may just have felt the plight of the girls and taken up their cause. I for one, cast no aspersions at Mr. White for his acting as an advocate. Due process is critically important and if there was a genuine concern that it was violated, it should be challenged in the proper venue.

I do not share this same feeling for the Needham parents who initiated the suit. If Mr. White was a party to that decision, I feel the same way about him too, right up to the point he became their advocate and had to (publicly) put a lid on arguments other than those based in the law. As I stated before, in his role as advocate, I have the highest respect.

This "parent psychosis" was on full display in an open letter to the editor of the Boston Globe by Sharon Lund seen here. In this article we see many folk running to the defense of the suspended players calling the incident a "ritual," and "no big deal." This as the principal breaks his silence on the incident.

Reasonable minds can disagree if it was hazing, bullying, or some other conduct. However in either case the activity was clearly outlawed by the 2010 - 2011 Needham High School handbook which states in relevant part (source):

Under no conditions are there to be initiation rites of any kind. The School Committee disapproves of fraternities, sororities or clubs with similar characteristics in the High School, or in the school system in general; no initiations or similar activities by such organizations shall be permitted within the school system. Should an administrator assess student's actions to resemble an initiation or form of hazing, students will be asked to desist. Should the action continue students will be suspended.

From this, clearly the school has grounds to act, as well as based in section 14 of the NHS Student Athlete Handbook seen here. In fact the staff (coach inclusive) may be charged with a duty to act. Note also that the threshold for due process in a school setting is diminished significantly and reporting of the incident and brief investigation would likely be enough to suspend the players.

While no one is denying the conduct of the players, and the harm that may come to them with a suspension on their record, I still after much reflection believe that the school acted appropriately, the players got what they deserved, due process was met, and the parents are off the reservation on this one.

Maybe its me, but I just don't see how getting led around blindfolded on a dog leash and getting hit in the face with pies until my nose bleeds builds a team. To take it a step further, I do not see how the coach could condone such conduct either, and if he does not, should be singing from the rafters about it. While I am on the fence about terminating the coach if he is found participating or condoning the activities, I have to believe his affiliation with Needham High School, Soccer Dynamics, and NEFC will become more strained as a result even without being terminated. I say that as a player, coach, referee, spectator, and (maybe most importantly) a parent.

There are a host of differing opinions though, just look here to get a flavor.

While I don't expect this to die down any time soon, the more attention it is paid, the more the local colleges will remember it as these girls, who are yet unnamed, will be remembered.

It would be wrong for such an incident to mar them so early in their playing careers. For the others involved who should know better, shame on them.

Game Over

That's all folks ... for the Needham girls that is.

The Needham Rockets fell to the Brockton Boxers 7 - 1 in Massachusetts high school soccer playoff action. This after a failed attempt by parents of (5) suspended players to get their suspensions overturned by a Norfolk County Superior Court Judge.

Here is a good report from a local news station (NECN):



While what happened to cause this series of suspensions will unfold in the days ahead, I for one am glad the match seemed to go well for the referees as not a single story referred to the match, except for the score and the circumstances surrounding it.

As more is learned about how the players and coach will be dealt with, I'll bring it here.

In the haze of the Rockets' glare

Over the last 12 hours a story has broken in the Boston area that a local high school soccer team has suspended (5) players and placed a coach on administrative leave for a hazing incident involving two freshmen girls who were reportedly blindfolded and pulled around on dog leashes while hit in face with pies.

Further, a temporary injunction filed by some parents of the suspended players, to overturn the suspension by Needham High School principal Jonathan Pizzi was denied by Norfolk Superior Court judge Barbara Dortch-Okara of Norfolk Superior Court.

In essence, while the game between Needham and Brockton will go on, it will be without the services of these (5) players, and their head coach, Carl Tarabelli.

Now, while I am going to refrain from chastising the (5) players, eviscerating the coach and players' parents who filed an injunction, and congratulating the principal, I will reflect on who needs to be extra careful tonight.

The referees.

Why?

These folks will be under such scrutiny tonight it will be crazy. Even though they have absolutely nothing to do with the controversy, they will become part of it if they are not careful.

How?

Can these players join their team tonight?

Are there specific rules regarding such behavior from the MIAA?

Has the principal given particular instructions about how these players may participate?

Imagine if they are not allowed into the field, but take part in some opening ceremony. Now imagine if a Brockton player takes advantage and has a word or two with a suspended player ... now what?

A fight?
A shouting match?

All caught in HD for the evening news around the country.

National news has already caught this, and without doubt will have affiliates there to interview everyone about this and "how it would have been", regardless of final result, with the suspended players.

My thought for the referees ... reach out early and often to get clarity from the MIAA. Find out exactly what needs to happen even before you set foot in the car to go to this match tonight. There is too much at stake for these referees to not be prepared for anything happening ... and the media asking about it.

We spoke about this the other day in Know before you go ... . Here is a perfect example. These folks need to know, as guessing and screwing it up has BIG consequences in this one.

These parents have already made it clear they are willing to go to court over a suspension. What do you think will happen if the referees here make a mistake in some administrative task in the match?

Am I over-reacting? Maybe.
I would rather do that however, than explain myself to a tribunal.