Paul Stewart: I Wish I'd Been There

Paul Stewart: I Wish I'd Been There
- Paul Stewart

Hey Paul,

A great comeback to the turd who said “Do you know who I am?” would have been to hold his hands up, as officials do when they are stopping substitutions, get everyone’s attention, and ask everyone around, within earshot……”Does anyone know who this man is? Apparently, he can’t remember.”

I watched a gate agent in an airport do this, and after thundering applause, the guy was so embarrrased, he tucked tail, and walked away. I wish it was mine, but I’m giving that gate agent all the credit she deserves for that one!!

If he goes off, and heads for the official, wait til he gets to the correct distance, and lay a well placed upper cut. He would have been the aggressor, and after he comes to, he’ll never forget it.

Problem solved. First by clever retort, then the hard way, if the first one doesn’t work.

Life is simple. My pop was a big dude, and taught us well.

Keep the faith, Paul….

I see this in other sports as well, sadly. On Saturday, I worked 3 basketball games. In the first game, a 6th grade game, a disgruntled fan berated and loudly questioned every decision made until he was finally dismissed from the facility. I only wish I had removed him sooner.
In the 2nd game, a 7th grade game, an assistant coach would not stop complaining about every decision my partner and I made until finally I called a technical foul.
In game 3, an 8th grade game, my partner warned 2 players and the head coach for their actions. Not a minute later, after I called a foul, the SAME head coach started yelling at me. He was quickly given a technical foul.
The point is, we officials have to deal with these people, coaches and fans alike. If we don't, we tacitly permit them to continue these behaviors. But as Paul so correctly points out, officials don't like to eject/remove or discipline these people because so often the Leagues don't have our back. Punishments are not severe enough. Half the time when a Technical is called, we can expect the coach who was given the foul to contact our assignor.
I can handle the abuse--but I shouldnt have to. But what about new officials? Teenage or older, doesnt matter! This abuse is the main reason why new referees--regardless of sport--usually do not last 3 years!
People need to wake up or they won't have sports--and the kids will be the real losers in all of that...

I think it takes someone who hates themself to be a ref for a kids' or teenagers' sports league. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy. I would not last very long at all because if it "crossed my red line", so to speak, I would walk out and tell the coaches, players, fans, etc. to officiate the game themselves .

And yeah, the leagues definitely do not have the refs' backs. I think if there is a consensus among all the refs working the game the leagues should allow the refs to declare a forfeit against the abusing team and walk out. Of course it should be subject to a review by the league afterward (to discourage doing this over less serious situations, like the refs being in a bad mood or something) but it should be an option. Coaches and parents should have to sign a form indicating that they know that the refs could do this if the abuse gets too bad. It may disappoint the kids (as long as they are not the ones hurling the abuse) but I suspect that the reason why the coaches and parents would be upset about this is that it would give their kids a non-so-subtle message about what type of people their coaches and parents are.

This may sound extreme but it is really is the best way to fix this problem. It is kind of along the lines of the infamous Schonfeld/Koharski incident. Schonfeld found a judge who had no jurisdiction over the matter and had an obvious conflict of interest to "overturn" his suspension (where else but in NJ could one find a judge this corrupt? ) and showed up anyway. The refs went on a wildcat strike and people like the score keeper and time keeper had to officiate. This was in a conference finals game and embarrassed the league. It led to some important reforms, like improving the fitness and positioning of the refs to better see the play and thus make better calls. And it sent a message to coaches and players, since none of them actually really wanted to be involved in a game that was officiated by people who were not real refs. They took the game seriously but it obviously could not be taken seriously and devolved into anarchy.

Its right to call out former colleagues about abuse of refs. I agree, the young refs have no reason to lie about it, good for you!…. But yet, you wrote a very supportive blog about Bobby Hull. Do you think the ones he abused had a reason to lie about it? You call a former colleague a coward, but you excused hull because of a drinking problem. There is no bigger coward than a man who beats on a women. Just my opinion.

Pizza sounds fab right now

Paul,

As much as I can understand your lack of information in the former NHL official and current NHL coach, you should publicly share their names if you do believe they should be shunned. Specifically the coach, as I'm sure it would spread like wildfire and gain a lot of attention of how many adults conduct themselves at all levels.

Paul, I usually respect you and your opinions. However, by not mentioning names you are helping your former colleague (Tim Peel) and the NHL coach escape further scrutiny and exposure.

Paul, I usually respect you and your opinions. However, by not mentioning names you are helping your former colleague (Tim Peel) and the NHL coach escape further scrutiny and exposure.
- BMWChiFan

Apparently the families of both officials are filing criminal charges.

https://www.hockeyfeed.co...-two-17-year-old-referees

Some very good responses here.
I nce answered "do you know who I am?' with "Do i care who you are?"

I Read the article and what clicked for me was Peel cooling off when they started video recording him. That might be part.of a solution to coaches and parents who get out of hand. Video them t may lead to criminal charges