We've all seen collegiate football coaches screaming at officials--what kind of seed does this sow among fellow coaches, players, and fans?
A parent screaming at a defenseless child is probably the worst example of "out of control" behavior.
The Bible tells us that the love of money is the root of all evil (and that might even hold true in the problems with out of control coaches, players, and fans) but we might need to delve a little deeper to find out what is causing this huge problem...
In no way would I excuse the behavior of the out of control players on the football fields, soccer fields, and tennis courts, but I think we need to also realize that children will mimic the behavior they see when they are growing up. A good strong example of integrity and honesty will usually yield the same in our children and likewise a bad example will produce bad fruit.
Kids today are taught by coaches that are out of control and sadly, sometimes by parents that are equally out of control. If the problem is going to be solved it is going to take some very strong corrective action and that action needs to begin with the coaches and parents. Sadly, we have all experienced the wrath of an offended coach or parent but sometimes we neglect our duties as officials in the face of this onslaught. Officials who are verbally attacked usually go into a shell and do nothing or get overly officious and start coding everything in sight. We have to learn to develop a calm attitude and deal with the issues at hand.
There is an age old truth about collegiate tennis teams and it is this: A team will take on the personality of the coach. Therein lies the problem in a lot of our collegiate matches today. When a coach is totally out of control and screaming and ranting and raving at everyone in sight, what do you think their player is going to do? Act just like his coach...
Here are some suggestions for what ails us:
* As officials we have every right to be respected by players and coaches. If they verbally attack us personally then we need to get the courage to immediately issue a coach's warning. This warning will usually put an immediate end to those attacks. If not, then give them a point penalty and remove them from the facility.
* Coaches need to develop the integrity to treat officials fairly and with respect. There are only a very few who attack officials on a regular basis and everyone in the tennis world knows who they are. Its time for fellow coaches and conference offices to begin to demand integrity and good behavior from their coaches. If they don't behave--then suspend them. It is always a joy to go to a university where you know the coach has integrity and will behave like an adult so why not make that the norm and not the exception?
* League offices are going to have to be supportive of their referees. How many times have you seen a referee who did the right thing get hung out to dry by those above him because they are afraid of the coach, parents, or athletic director. Umpires always know if their referee, coordinator, or league office has their back...
We have a very serious problem on our hands and its going to take some courageous steps to fix it. Its time for those steps to be taken.
3 comments:
Much of what you said is already in the Friend at Court. The rules just need to be enforced since they are there for a reason and that is to ensure fair play.
Obviously, one of the few is right here in Texas! And NO, I don't have confidence that the league officials have our back. Just saying!
Problems lie at the root that since the ita is a coaches association that runs things and makes the rules during the regular season for the most part. Unless it is a stronger conference that has independent assigners the coaches can dictate who officiates their matches. Therefore the corruption and homerfest kind of hiring practices that can't be controlled.
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