Money stolen from locker room during game

[pjsaul]

I had over $100 stolen out of my wallet during a game Saturday afternoon (had my Friday game money in there, normally wouldn't carry that much around). Three other officials reported all of their big bills missing as well (the thief was kind enough to leave me 3 singles!). The locker room was supposedly locked the whole time, so none of us are quite sure how or when it happened, but obviously we have emailed the AD to inform them.

Fortunately, my phone and car keys were not taken.

Anyone have this happen to them? Is it unreasonable to expect the school to reimburse the money? For what its worth, this is a wealthy private school.

[SouthGARef]

I had over $100 stolen out of my wallet during a game Saturday afternoon (had my Friday game money in there, normally wouldn't carry that much around). Three other officials reported all of their big bills missing as well (the thief was kind enough to leave me 3 singles!). The locker room was supposedly locked the whole time, so none of us are quite sure how or when it happened, but obviously we have emailed the AD to inform them.

Fortunately, my phone and car keys were not taken.

Anyone have this happen to them? Is it unreasonable to expect the school to reimburse the money? For what its worth, this is a wealthy private school.

I wouldn't expect the school to reimburse. They're not responsible for lost valuables or whatnot. It's also an ethical gray area for me - asking a school I officiate for money other than a game fee. I'd stay away.

Personally, I try to take as few personal belongings into the locker room as possible for this very reason. Wallet never goes inside. Pretty much the only thing I take in is my cell phone in case my association needs to reach out to me or vice versa.

[GAHSUMPIRE]

Sorry for your loss. Thankfully, it has never happened to me, but has to members of my association in the past, and as SouthGARef said, I take only the bare minimum necessary into the locker room with me as well.

I don't think you can expect the school to reimburse, but did you file a police report? You mention emailing the AD, but I would assume that would be the first step required in that process.

.

[TxSkyBolt]

That sucks. From now on NEVER take your wallet into the locker room. If you do, ALWAYS bring your own lock to secure your valuables in a lockable locker.

[bossman72]

Happened to my crew (but somehow my stuff was passed up).  Went to a college to do a JV game.  The normal locker room was occupied, so they put us in another locker room which I believe was public and adjacent to the student gym.  Sure enough, people's phones and money got stolen.  Campus police helped track down the phone.

Always bring a lock to lock your things up.

[pjsaul]

Thank you all for the feedback. Sounds like it will stay as an expensive lesson for me. I actually normally keep valuables in my car, but as I mentioned in the first post, this is a very nice school with a locker room that is supposedly locked.  The AD has responded and said they are looking into it, and the assignor has gotten involved as well. Probably won't file a police report just for the cash, but I'm keeping an eye on my credit cards just in case.

[Atlanta Blue]

If credit cards were involved, I would definitely file a police report, just for the record if nothing else.

[pjsaul]

I should have clarified on the credit cards - they were not taken, but could supposedly have had their numbers written down. Just doesn't seem likely in what I assume was a "smash and grab" job.

[FLAHL]

We had something similar happen years ago.  I wasn't involved, so I don't know the exact details, but it sounds similar to yours.  The schools said the locker room would be locked, our guys checked the door when they went out before the game and at halftime, and somehow money was gone between halftime and the end of the game.

In our case, the school did offer to reimburse the guys.  Legally, I don't know if there was any liability on their part, but they offered and our guys accepted.

[CalhounLJ]

Great idea to bring your own lock. I will go get one now. we don't keep any more than we have to in the locker room just because something like this may happen.

[Rulesman]

Expensive lesson. Sometimes the more affluent the school the more brazen the thief. I would certainly file a police report, no questions asked.

[BIG UMP]

Always lock my stuff in the truck, just don't trust the staff member to actually lock the door.

[Rulesman]

Always lock my stuff in the truck, just don't trust the staff member to actually lock the door.

or who else has a key...

[VALJ]

I always leave my wallet and cell phone in the car, locked up. Only thing that goes into the locker room with me is my keychain.

[FLAHL]

All of the undesirable characters lurking on this board now know that the real money is in our cars.   

[bama_stripes]

I always leave my wallet and cell phone in the car, locked up. Only thing that goes into the locker room with me is my keychain.

+1