Referees and umpires can be the laughingstock of any sporting event.
As we saw earlier this year, the NFL replacement refs had that problem for a few weeks.
But I think an issue that hits closer to home is the student refs for intramural and club sports.
Anyone who has watched an A-team game between two large clubs knows that the fans can be a bit of a hassle.
I have played intramural sports, and I know that sometimes the officials just don’t make the right call.
But unlike professional sports officials, intramural and club sport refs do not require training, experience or any particular kind of qualifications.
I am not saying that this gives them an excuse to mess up, but we can’t be too mad when they miss a close call.
And honestly, when have you ever seen a sports official change their call in a game due to fan hassling?
Never.
Since the days of little league and peewee football, we are taught to be respectful when we play sports.
Players are expected to play (not argue), spectators are expected to calmly cheer on the sidelines (not coach), coaches are expected to coach (not ref) and officials are expected to officiate.
By the time you get to college, those roles are still very much the same.
Yes, the fans will jeer and shout and grumble and argue, but there comes a point at which you have to let the refs do their job.
So should the fans even bother yelling at the refs? When the game is a “real” NCAA or professional game, go for it. It’s part of the game to voice your opinions, get angry, excited, and upset about the outcomes of games.
I mean, it makes it way more fun. And usually, the refs can’t even hear you.
And let’s be real: The only people who have even a chance of changing the officials’ minds are the coaches.
But when your friends are refereeing a game between your friends and their respective social club rivals, give it a break.
As I have heard from some of my friends who work as officials for intramurals and club sports, it’s stressful to be running up and down the field making calls.
They only have so many eyes to watch each play and can only see it from so many angles.
They try their best. And it’s just a game.
So as much as you may want to cheer against the referees, when it comes to intramurals and club sports, just cheer for the team instead.
