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The number of licensed officials in Wisconsin is down 40 percent from just a few years ago, and the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association is concerned.
In a recent appearance on WOMT Sports Talk from Brix in downtown Manitowoc, Stephanie Hauser lists the reasons why.
“Primarily it’s parents but it’s also just fans in the stands that just berate them and kind of forget that hey this a human being out there creating an opportunity for your son or daughter to play the game they love and they walk away feeling that it’s not worth it.”
Hauser says Wisconsin’s governing body of High School Athletics is encouraging and aiding its member schools to educate and inform them on how to best tackle this issue going forward.
“Every athletic code meeting that they have with their fans and families are talking about those behaviors. They’re talking about the shortages. They’re sharing the statistics so people are aware. They’re engaged in the student-athletes and coaches to help them out with these conversations. Some of these conversations happen over the dinner table at home. Sometimes mom and dad just need to hear from their kids to say we don’t have enough officials to play the game.”
Several High School Football games have had to be moved or rescheduled this season due to a lack of officials on Friday nights. The WIAA Executive Director adds, “Parents, coaches, student-athletes and the WIAA all play an important role in making officials stay connected in helping to make these experiences possible for our student-athletes. We know you’re doing your absolute best and we support you no matter what.”
