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This is the end result of a system that allows unqualified officials to officiate. For years there has been outrage about the officials in D5 and the PIAA has seemingly done nothing to rectify it. What occurred is not justified, but it is a foreseeable outcome.

Sad but true about officiating. It's a wonder that something has not happened with the Northern Cambria Chapter as well. For years, teams have had to battle this group every time they step on the field. Let the kids play and let them decide the outcome.

A few comments!!!

Why doesn't the PIAA do a better job of policing the referee's?

Is there a system for schools to send in game tapes and say WATCH THIS GAME!!! They sucked.

Why is a referee allowed to work a game at a school that he/she played for and graduated from. (Hint there is a reason they call homer city the homerdome!!)


Why are referee's allowed to work games that they have relatives playing in. (Hint there is a reason they call homer city the homerdome!!)

How do we get younger, and competent people involved in officiating?

Should there be a mandatory retirement age for officials or an athletic test?

I will say so far this year the referee's have been much better in the games I have seen but there are officials out there (in all sports) that should not be allowed to officiate. I know of one official that was banned from one chapter and just joined another. Referee's should be doing the job because they love doing the job. Not because it is easy money and they can pretty much make whatever calls they want.

Let's be fair here. The PIAA only has so much to work with. What happens if we do get rid of all those who are poor officials? In todays world, it has to be getting more difficult to even find enough folks who want to get involve. I'm not just talking about officials, but we can say the same thing about coaches and teachers as well. Look at what happened this week. A coach was accused of hitting a player. Reported on the net, news and todays newspaper. If he didn't hit the boy there's no taking it back now. Most people will just assume he did it.

We are our own worst enemies today. We complain that we can't find good coaches, teachers and officials but we make it harder and harder for folks to even want to get involved. All three groups are constantly abused by the public, criticized, and all sorts of accusations can be made. True, it may be easy to disprove those accusations at times but once it's out there it's too late....people just assume. Also, people are just crazy nowadays. Students are able to hit teachers or verbally abuse teachers and are back in class a week later. Not so much in this area but throughout America it's happening. Coaches have to watch everything they do or say or they are fired. Fired over the same things my coach did to me back in the day. Things that made me a better man and toughened me up to make my way in the world. Now, we are just creating boys and girls who are soft. Our kids are never wrong and God forbid you hurt their feelings with the truth.

Look, there are bad teachers, bad coaches and bad officials but we need to be more selective on the things we want to criticize. If not, expect even worse teachers, even worse coaches and even worse officials. In my opinion we are driving good people away from getting involved because of the way we treat them. I'm a perfect example. I used to love umpiring little league baseball, coaching the Junior High football team and volunteering my time in all sorts of activities. I just lost interest and most of that was because of the way people are these days..

I'm writing RamblinMan in for president---common sense through and through.

agreed he seems to tell the truth tho....doubt he'll make it

Bedrock wrote:I'm writing RamblinMan in for president---common sense through and through.

Nahh...you wouldn't want that. My old school values and beliefs seem to no longer have a place in today's society. In fact, I'm sure of it.

Amen Amen and Amen!! Ramblingman. I am all three of the people who have commented on. I have been a teacher and official for over 20 years and have just back into coaching the last 2 seasons after a 23 year lapse. I love doing what I do because of the kids I come in contact with and I try to do the best job I can possibility do in all 3 positions. The worst part of all 3 jobs are the parents you have to put with. I get up each day try to iinfluence a student in a positive way each day. That is what leeps me going. I don't except any slaps on the back or nor do I need any to continue to do the best job I have raised to do. That is my reward each and every day.

dadw/2sons wrote:Amen Amen and Amen!! Ramblingman. I am all three of the people who have commented on. I have been a teacher and official for over 20 years and have just back into coaching the last 2 seasons after a 23 year lapse. I love doing what I do because of the kids I come in contact with and I try to do the best job I can possibility do in all 3 positions. The worst part of all 3 jobs are the parents you have to put with. I get up each day try to iinfluence a student in a positive way each day. That is what leeps me going. I don't except any slaps on the back or nor do I need any to continue to do the best job I have raised to do. That is my reward each and every day.

Like I said, we are our own worst enemies. We put ourselves at risk of losing great educators and role models for our children through our own foolish behaviors. The worst part, our children witness our actions, some even feed off of it and one day they will have children and the cycle will not only continue but will become worse than we ever imagined. When that happens, our world will be lost. Those who want to make a difference won't in fear that they will be unfairly targeted, criticized or what have you. Those who would be best for our children might decide it's best to just sit on the sidelines.

I commend you on your passion and for caring for those you teach and influence. It's people like you who give us all hope.