The Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) has saw an alarming number of registered officials decline in recent years as a direct result of spectator conduct at athletic events.
The problem of adult behavior at football, basketball, baseball and softball games has been targeted as the number one reason for causing referees and umpires to step away from the game.
The KHSAA has adopted a new policy aimed at addressing concerns of spectator conduct in hopes of recruiting back officials and umpires who have walked away or those new officials.
“I think what they have done is something that has been needed,” long-time official Dale Conn said. “I think it a great thing.”
According to KHSAA Commissioner Julian Tackett noted it was time to put an end to unruly behavior from parents, students and other spectators.
He said three of four officials who stopped officiating or umpiring cited poor spectator conduct as the reason for leaving.
The adopted policy states that any adult spectator who is removed by school administrators or by law enforcement for unsportsmanlike conduct will be suspended from attending, at minimum, the next schedule contest at that level of competition, and any contest in the meantime.
Tackett said it is the hope of the Board that this penalty never be implemented.