Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1076442
JANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 5, 2019 UCW 21 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Dear Mom and Dad: Cool It by KARISSA NIEHOFF and QUE TUCKER If you are the mother or father of a high school athlete here in North Carolina, 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 pas- sion is admired, and your support of the hometown team is needed. But so is your self-control. Yelling, scream- ing and berating the officials humili- ates your child, annoys those sitting around you, embarrasses your child's school and is the major contributing reason North Carolina is experiencing a 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 offi- cials 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 of the country that athletic events are being postponed or cancelled — especially at the freshman 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 emo- tional 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. In Fayetteville and surrounding counties, you can also contact www.saoanc.org, the Southeastern Athletic Officials Association. E.J. McArthur Cape Fear • Basketball • Sophomore McArthur has a grade point average of 4.0. He's a member of the Key Club, Future Business Leaders of America, Fear Factor and Distributive Education Clubs of America. Amelia Shook Cape Fear • Swimming/ cross country/soccer • Sophomore Shook has a weighted grade point average of 4.5. She is a member of the Key Club, Fear Factor and the History Club. Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shop congratulates these amazing scholar athletes of the week and invites them to the Rocket Fizz Store at 1916 Skibo Rd. to receive a FREE gift recognizing their achievement! www.rocketfizz.com Yelling, screaming and berating the officials humiliates your child ... and is the major contributing reason North Carolina is experiencing a shortage of high school officials. KARISSA NIEHOFF, Executive Director of the National Federation of State High School Associations. QUE TUCKER, Commissioner of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association. 10 20 30 40 40 30 20 10 50 10 20 30 40 40 30 20 10 50 10 20 30 40 40 30 20 10 50 10 20 30 40 40 30 20 10 50 FRIDAY Basketball coverage will begin soon on WCLN 105.7 FM Check website NCPrepSports.net for schedule of county games & WILL BE PRESENTING CUMBERLAND COUNTY BASKETBALL IN 2019