Since 1918, the NJSIAA has hired thousands of officials for various sports. But one thing has always been the same across the board: parents need to “sit down and shut up.”
Lacrosse parents across the state have spent grueling hours perfecting their mid-game call-outs of “off-sides,” “foul” and “are you blind?”
On March 20, Del Val girls lacrosse had its home opening game. This contest was hard fought, brutal and the impetus for change.
By the second half, the score was 6–5, and Del Val was losing. Parents were acting unruly, officials were blowing their whistles and coaches were yelling. The one thing clearly echoing across the field was a chorus of parents yelling, “Do you even know how to ref?!”
At this moment coaches and players watched in horror, or possibly awe, as the two officials threw down their whistles and walked off the field. The game came to a sudden halt, but it didn’t last long.
Within moments, two fathers from the bleachers scurried down to the field, grabbed the whistles and picked up where the officials left off.
“I didn’t even know what to say, I guess my dad found his true calling,” senior Meadow Testa said. “I was just glad my father was now the one with the whistle and not those awful trained professionals.”
Not only did the two parents start refereeing, but they were very receptive to feedback from the bleachers. Suddenly, instead of parents having to be quiet, it became a collaborative experience.
As always, this game was streamed on Hudl. Quickly, the game’s video went viral across New Jersey and more officials began to quit, leading to a statewide referee strike.
“I have no regrets. Parents are so mean, and now, I don’t need to be comforted after every game,” said John Doe, an official from the original Del Val game.
Not only are officials happier, but so are schools.
“This strike has been the best thing that happened to high school athletics,” said a New Jersey high school athletic director. “Parents, athletes and coaches are all happier, and we no longer have to pay for officials.”
While the way this strike started was unconventional and disruptive, it led to change that has improved the situation. Parents across the state are raising their voices and yelling “Foul!” more confidently than ever. Of course, fights now break out every game between parents and athletes, but they are now simply resolved by a full on brawl instead of peaceful mediation from official referees.
What started as a reaction during a single game became a statewide change for scholastic athletics, and parents’ careers in officiating have a bright future.
