Dear Mom and Dad: Cool it
Contributed • January 14, 2019
To the editor:
If you are the mother or father of a high school athlete here in Maine, this message is primarily for you.
When you attend an athletic event that involves your son or daughter, cheer to your heart’s content, enjoy the camaraderie that high school sports offer and have fun. But when it comes to verbally criticizing game officials or coaches, cool it.
Make no mistake about it. Your passion is admired, and your support of the hometown team is needed. But so is your self-control. Yelling, screaming and berating the officials humiliates your child, annoys those sitting around you, embarrasses your child’s school and is the primary reason Maine has an alarming shortage of high school officials.
It’s true. According to a recent survey by the National Association of Sports Officials, more than 75 percent of all high school officials say “adult behavior” is the primary reason they quit. And 80 percent of all young officials hang up their stripes after just two years of whistle blowing. Why? They don’t need your abuse.
Plus, there’s a ripple effect. There are more officials over 60 than under 30 in many areas. And as older, experienced officials retire, there aren’t enough younger ones to replace them. If there are no officials, there are no games. The shortage of licensed high school officials is severe enough in some areas that athletic events are being postponed or cancelled — especially at the freshmen and junior varsity levels.
Research confirms that participation in high school sports and activities instills a sense of pride in school and community, teaches lifelong lessons like the value of teamwork and self-discipline, and facilitates the physical and emotional development of those who participate. So, if the games go away because there aren’t enough men and women to officiate them, the loss will be infinitely greater than just an “L” on the scoreboard. It will be putting a dent in your community’s future.
If you would like to be a part of the solution to the shortage of high school officials, you can sign up to become a licensed official at HighSchoolOfficials.com. Otherwise, adult role models at high school athletic events here in Maine are always welcome.
Karissa Niehoff
Executive Director
National Federation of
State High School Associations
OT Indoor Track in action for the a Friday meet.... Indoor Track meet results tonight at U. Maine, both OT Girls team and OT Boys team finished 4th in their meets against Bangor, Hampden and Brewer! Coyotes back in action on Jan. 26th at UMaine...
OT Swim in action at ELL tonight... Good swim for the Coyotes against a strong ELL programs - Ellsworth Girls 97 OT Girls 73, Ellsworth Boys 105 OT 48... Next Swim is OT Swim at JB on Friday, Jan. 25th
OTO with a huge win tonight tonight v. C.H. - OTO moving back atop the heals tonight with the “W” - Pending weather - OTO on the road to HH on Monday, 1 PM
2019 Prom Committee News! Looking for Senior Parents and Students to join the 2019 prom committee. First meeting will be Thursday, Jan 24th at 3PM in room 107. Please come with theme and other ideas for this year prom!
Boys basketball playing lights out basketball tonight v. F.A. - both programs came to play and played impressive. Varsity with a 61-51 victory, JV with a nail biter win 44-41.... Coyotes are home Monday, 5/6:30 PM
Due to weather over the weekend - We have currently changed the start times for Monday, Jan. 21st Basketball Games to the following - GJV 2PM, GV 3:30PM, BJV 5PM, BV 6:30 PM - more information to come!
Congratulations Hannah Richards - Big East Basketball player of the week!
OT Comp. Cheer team hosting a Cheer Showcase Jamboree at LMS today - they raised $291 dollars and decided to help out the street family with costs associated with his care! Way to be OT Cheer!
Couple of great games for the Lady Coyotes tonight as they hosted the Ponies from FA. Varsity won 44-39, JV lost a come back attempt 33-29. Lady Coyotes still on top of the heals this week, hosting MDI on Monday 11/12:30...
Boys basketball action at ELL last night - Varsity lost 72-65 JV lost 68-59 - puts the Coyotes a couple spots back from the bubble on heal points - Coyotes host FA on Thursday 5:30/7 PM
Positive Post Tuesday! The bond between coaches and student-athlete is a strong one, some could say it’s as strong as family. This was proven today when Coach Goody, Thurlow, Thibodeau traveled to Boston to check up on OT student-athlete D. Street as he recovers from emergency surgury at Boston Children’s Hospital.... OT and Orono communities are pulling for your fast recovery Dylan!
Girls Basketball with a huge win at ELL tonight, Varsity 49-38, JV 37-18 - Moves OT girls to first in the heal points! Girls host FA on Wed. Jan 16th 5:30/7 PM
Solid game tonight for the OTO Black Bears - team suffered the first loss of the season to a tough Bangor team 3-2 at Sawyer Arena - Hockey home on Friday v. CH - 7 PM
Due to injuries and low numbers for Bangor HS - the JV Hockey game has been canceled for tonight - The varsity hockey game will still be played at 6:30 PM - bus will leave at 4:45 from OT - to Orono
OT Cheer showcase on Wednesday, Jan. 16 at LMS will be open to the public and start at 5:30pm. 5 local teams will perform. $2 suggested donation to be donated to a local charity.
Athletic Events - Jan 14th
Indoor Track and Field in action at UMaine.... Girls finished 3rd and the Boys finished 4th - Next meet is Friday, Jan. 18th - 4:40 Start....
Couple of well played games as the Crusaders visited Mackenzie Gymnasium - JV boys lost a close one 58-59 - Varsity picked up a good “W” 55-39 - Coyotes are on the road Jan 15th to ELL
OT Cheer at the Big East Comp. in ELL - good finish for the girls finishing 4th out of 12 - Girls hit the mats on Saturday PVC Comp at Hermon!
