Terrible Incident in Texas

[TxJim]

The TASO told the committee it has asked the crew members at the game to provide the organization with “a report on the incident, but start from the coin toss through the moment they walked off the field including any player interaction, coaching interaction, player on player interaction they overheard” and more. The TASO said the officials are working on that report to be submitted.

How long before there are common tater calls for us to wear body cams?

[Joe Stack]

TASO said that a director with its organization is analyzing the game film and making notes on any plays that may have been called for penalties and any that may have been missed.

If we're wasting our time doing this, we've already lost the battle.

[Coby]

I would like to think TASO is using the "review plays" as a delay tactic to come back with..."Our experts have reviewed the game in question and we are satisfied that it meets our standards and expectations, after hours of feedback from interviewing all members of the crew we can now state that beyond a shadow of a doubt our members behaved in a professional manner".

[Coby]

Should be a neat poll.  The Powers that be could really use this as a good call to action if they wanted too.


Coby

[Ump62]

Since Jay HS is not a part of San Antonio ISD it would seem a bit odd to refuse to officiate their games. I understand your point though, Northeast ISD.
A more suitable option would be to decline an assignment specifically for Jay HS.

[Rulesman]

No decision after UIL emergency hearing on alleged targeting of official
Posted: Sep 09, 2015 12:17 PM CDTUpdated: Sep 09, 2015 12:17 PM CDT
ROUND ROCK (KVUE) - Officials from the Northside ISD, the Texas Association of Sports Officials, and others met Wednesday at an emergency hearing before the University Interscholastic League to address the possible targeting of a football official by two John Jay High School players.
No decision on any possible punishment was made Wednesday as the session was more for the various parties involved to report where they are in their investigation into the incident from last Friday’s game between John Jay High and Marble Falls High School.
In the incident, the umpire in the game was run over by a John Jay High player who appeared to target the official with the hit. A second player from John Jay High then led with his helmet and appeared to dive at the official who was on the ground.
Video of the incident has gone viral since the game. The umpire, who is from Austin, is “wanting to press charges” over the hit, according Wednesday, NISD superintendent Brian Woods told the UIL executive committee that he and his staff have been investigating the incident since Friday night and that the entire event “is shameful to us.”
“We do not believe that the actions of these young men thugs reflect the young people who are in our schools and our athletic programs,” Woods told the committee Wednesday.
The committee heard Woods say that the incident was being treated as “an assault on a school official” when it comes to the investigation. Both students have been suspended from the football team and the school pending a disciplinary hearing that will come at a later date.
However, Woods also emphasized that there are more aspects to the incident than just the hit in the video that has gone viral online. Specifically, Woods discussed the allegations that an assistant coach, identified as Mack Breed by KVUE sister stations KENS5 in San Antonio, may have said that the umpired needed to pay for bad calls in the game and allegations that the umpire may have used racial slurs against players.
The head coach of the John Jay team, Gary Gutierrez, has already been cleared by the district of any involvement in the incident, according to KENS5.
Woods told the Committee that the assistant coach in question has also been put on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation into the incident.
When it comes to the official in question, identified by KVUE news partners the Austin American-Statesman as Robert Watts, the executive committee was told by the TASO Wednesday that he was not a regular member of the crew and instead a fill-in for the game between John Jay High and Marble Falls.
The game featured multiple objections and had at least one member of the executive committee asking school officials if the game was under control of the officials or coaches on Friday. A total of four players were ejected from the game that saw controversy all the way to the final play when Marble Falls kneeled down.
“We will be interviewing every coach on that staff to ensure that institutional control is not an issue,” Woods said.
According to testimony at the executive committee hearing Wednesday, TASO said it’s the normal protocol to speak to the players and coaches if a game is getting out of hand. TASO said it’s officials will either speak to a team captain or get communication to the sideline that a player may need to come out of the game for a play or two to cool off.
The TASO told the committee it has asked the crew members at the game to provide the organization with “a report on the incident, but start from the coin toss through the moment they walked off the field including any player interaction, coaching interaction, player on player interaction they overheard” and more. The TASO said the officials are working on that report to be submitted.
In addition, the TASO said that a director with its organization is analyzing the game film and making notes on any plays that may have been called for penalties and any that may have been missed. That report is expected to be completed and given to the TASO as early as Wednesday.
Marble Falls police said Monday it is also conducting an investigation of the incident. Marble Falls said they will hold a press conference about the incident on Thursday morning.
The UIL state executive committee can publicly reprimand or suspend a student athlete, but has more options to deal with participating schools. It can choose to impose a reprimand, public reprimand, forfeiture of contest, disqualify teams from district honors up to three years, or a mandatory disqualification.to ESPN.com.

Fixed it for the delusional Mr. Woods.

[Coby]

Thanks UMP62 Updated

[TexDoc]

Just some clarification.

Jay is in the Northside ISD in San Antonio, not SAISD or NEISD.

[DallasLJ]

So, wait...  TASO is even considering the possibility that any missed calls can mitigate what happened?  Um, wow.  Remind me not to work football if I ever have to move to Texas...

And I can say that, since I'm not in Texas...

  Let's not over react.  I certainly did not take anything bad out of it.  Reviewing the HUDL for the game is no less than the NCAA would do, or I would hope that my Chapter would do.  As an organization, we need to check to see what shows up on film.  Do the personal fouls and UNS show up -- and properly called.  Can we demonstrate as part of the story that we did everything right.  Yes, no amount of right or wrong calls justifies the actions taken by the players and they should be prosecuted -- but if the players and coach are going to make claims about the officials "cheating them" by calls and non-calls -- which is what has happened, then TASO has an obligation to do through the tape.

[HAshleyTX]

As this thing moves along I can't help but feel this will not end well for us.  The allegations of racial slurs is actually being taken seriously even though they have been made by individuals with absolutely no moral character.  Given the history of both TASO and the UIL, blame will quickly spread so as to be "evenly" distributed.  They want this thing to go away and will take any action to that end.  When it's all said and done officials will have to complete another feel good block on Arbiter instructing us in how we need to do better not causing this type of conflict. 

For the past decade, there have been an increase in bench clearing brawls, cheap shots and un-sportsman like acts.  We have filled out incident report after incident report only to see NOTHING of substance come of it.  Last year my crew had 3 games with brawls and we officiated each by-the-book.  Players are out of control and it's NOT OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO CONTROL THEM.  This is a failure of coaching and school administration as well as UIL's blind eye to accountability.  Unfortunately, TASO has failed to draw the line and demand that this be dealt with.

Maybe when I cool off I will stop having thoughts of ending this great adventure at the conclusion of the 2015 season (or sooner if this somehow blows up in OUR face).  I can't help but wonder if others are thinking the same...I would have to bet "yes."

[TxJim]

Interesting read of a number of tweets from the UIL State Executive Committee hearing, logged by a San Antonio Express-News reporter:

"UIL executive director Charles Breithaupt said the UIL needs to go on record to not tolerate the abuse of officials."

"Breithaupt said it puts a bad light on one of the best things in the country, Texas high school football."



https://twitter.com/ben_baby

[TxJim]

UIL State Executive Committee press conference

https://www.periscope.tv/w/aMBSCDU1NDMzNnwxT3d4V2pWYXdtV0pRvp4jKhHlS4nqIxOI1Z0gYkW0KRkbUR81q3u-a1R4nlA=

[GAHSUMPIRE]

Players are out of control and it's NOT OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO CONTROL THEM.

I think I understand what you are trying to say, and I am in no way blaming the official or the crew for the assault that occurred- the 2 individuals should be prosecuted to the fullest extent possible- but I am not sure I agree with this statement.

Once the officials assume control of the game, I think it IS our responsibility to control the players, and how the game is played. We obviously need (and should be able to assume that we will get) assistance from the coaching staff and game management, but the officials have responsibility for managing the game.

Have you never sent a player off for a play or two and told the coach he needs to calm down? I haven't worked in Texas, so I don't know if that happens, but I have done it (probably more than I care to recall).

Again, I am not trying to justify the attack, or place blame on the officials. I just could not agree with that statement you made. Again, I do believe that we as officials have some responsibility to help control player conduct, and should be able to partner with the coaches to ensure that, rather than have to worry that they are plotting bodily harm.

Maybe I've been out of the game too long.

[Curious]

UIL State Executive Committee press conference

https://www.periscope.tv/w/aMBSCDU1NDMzNnwxT3d4V2pWYXdtV0pRvp4jKhHlS4nqIxOI1Z0gYkW0KRkbUR81q3u-a1R4nlA=

So who is the first guy to speak on this video?  Are you (or is he) kidding me?   "mentor these kids in a positive way"?  Seriously?  Mentoring should be at the hands of the Texas Penal System and the residents of the prison to which they are sentenced!

[HAshleyTX]

GAHSUMPIRE

What you mention as "control" I define as administration and a bit of "preventive officiating."  These things are our responsibility but if we send a player to the coach and suggest a cool down and he sends him back out with no intervention what have we done in the matter of control?  We are simply not responsible for how these people act and have no authority short of our administrative power within the rules structure... we can't discipline or coach.  Sure we can eject a player for violation of the rules but this incident shows how that can backfire.  "Control" is the responsibility of coaches and the schools.

[BlindZebra]

Great case for why the U should be on the other side of the ball like they do in the SWAC and the NFL.  Why shouldn't every official have all 22 players in front of them.  This wont stop everything bad from happening, but will definitely get rid of this type of situation for the U.

[ETXZebra]

Gentlemen, do you remember just a few years ago when were faced with the possibility of the UIL taking over officiating??  We were worried that we would not have any representation.  Where is the representation now???

[ETXZebra]

When coaching staffs are out of control, the players are out of control.  They need to get control of themselves and it will work wonders to adjust the attitude of their players.

[BankerRef]

Once the officials assume control of the game, I think it IS our responsibility to control the players, and how the game is played. We obviously need (and should be able to assume that we will get) assistance from the coaching staff and game management, but the officials have responsibility for managing the game.

NOT

[Ump62]

Great case for why the U should be on the other side of the ball like they do in the SWAC and the NFL.  Why shouldn't every official have all 22 players in front of them.  This wont stop everything bad from happening, but will definitely get rid of this type of situation for the U.

Blind Zebra - I am certain that if these players had intended to target the Head Linesman they would have gotten him. The position of the official is irrelevant to what happened.

[yarnnelg]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I read a former player interview in which he stated that John Jay had been known for problems and this coaching staff had been brought in to clean up the program. Two ejections earlier one of which was the Star Quarterback. Four ejections in total. This was destined to end poorly.

There are games where you are confident that you have the coaches support and feel you are in control, then all hell breaks lose. At times there is no indication of the volcano erupting.  Nothing excuses the actions of these two players. Had something been said to those players they would have run to the nearest coach and raised hell. The Head Coach would have raised the roof when the first microphone appeared. Not one word from him except for his statement on the players. The race card is a smoke screen pure and simple.

Everyone is doing their job in pursuit of an air tight case.

[Getting Fat]

This incident affects every official in every sport. From Coby’s kid crying, to mishatx’s validation for taking the year off, to my wife’s expressed (now with more justification) desire that I give up my high school schedule, to one of the official’s statement who was in that game “I cried 2 days later because those kids took something that I love.”

I received an email from our subvarsity assignor desperate to get officials to a game. I looked at it, I have the night off. But why would I do that game? I’d rather hang out with my kid. I feel good about that decision, and now I have added reasons to feel good about spending the evening with the munchkin and not a bunch of people who do not appreciate the time, effort, and altruistic reasons that I am there.

The response from the powers that be will speak volumes about how we are perceived and appreciated. I’ve never met anybody that pays the bills officiating football that is not in the NFL. We’re there because we love it. As somebody smarter than me said, “It’s the most fun you can have standing up.” While that person is clearly not very creative (…), his point is validated in the status Coby’s umpire plays in his life: his kid’s godfather.

Something very special to each one of us took a big ding. A bigger ding than any grader/evaluator has ever given any of us. I know the guys that were in that game are still debating how big that ding is. So am I.

[GAHSUMPIRE]

GAHSUMPIRE

What you mention as "control" I define as administration and a bit of "preventive officiating."  These things are our responsibility but if we send a player to the coach and suggest a cool down and he sends him back out with no intervention what have we done in the matter of control?  We are simply not responsible for how these people act and have no authority short of our administrative power within the rules structure... we can't discipline or coach.  Sure we can eject a player for violation of the rules but this incident shows how that can backfire.  "Control" is the responsibility of coaches and the schools.

HAshleyTX, I understand a little better what you are saying, but I still have trouble accepting that we are powerless to do anything in these situations. Perhaps it's different in Texas, or perhaps I have been away from the field too long, or maybe I am naïve.

I agree with you, we are not responsible for how they act, that's not what I said, nor is it what I meant to imply. But the tools you mention- preventive officiating, and administration of the rules are within our power to apply. I may be overstating this somewhat, but to simply throw up our hands and say we have no control, somebody (else) ought to do something, I don't think is the answer either. As I said in my original response :"I do believe that we as officials have some responsibility to help control player conduct, and should be able to partner with the coaches to ensure that, rather than have to worry that they are plotting bodily harm."

I will admit to perhaps being somewhat naïve on this, but we do have the ability to affect player conduct,(without being responsible for that conduct), and teaming with coaches, we should be able to control the game. Obviously, not all coaches are going to work with us as well as we would hope, but that doesn't mean we wash our hands of it.

We are not going to cure the worlds ills in 4 quarters on a Friday night, I get that. What those people do before and after the game is outside of our control, but I maintain we do have the ability to affect their actions on the field, and frankly the responsibility to try. I don't have my officials manual handy, but I seem to remember something about our responsibility to ensure safety and fair play. (That was in the NFHS book, I realize Texas uses NCAA, but I assume that there is some type of similar language).

This may not be an "argument" I will win, but it's what I believe. I wish you all the best, and I wish the official who was attacked a full and speedy recovery.

[blindref757]

Just read this:  http://www.cbs19.tv/story/29991725/no-decision-after-uil-emergency-hearing-on-alleged-targeting-of-official

"The game featured multiple objections and had at least one member of the executive committee asking school officials if the game was under control of the officials or coaches on Friday. A total of four players were ejected from the game that saw controversy all the way to the final play when Marble Falls kneeled down."


So a member of the UIL Exec Committee is questioning if the crew had control of the game?  I see this as a very bad deal for us.  They don't trust us one iota and they are going to go to great lengths to implicate TASO and its members if they can to deflect blame off them and their crappy policies that allow coaches to select ("agree upon") the officials.  I might be a tad cynical, but I'm afraid this could get UGLY.

[ETXZebra]

This incident affects every official in every sport. From Coby’s kid crying, to mishatx’s validation for taking the year off, to my wife’s expressed (now with more justification) desire that I give up my high school schedule, to one of the official’s statement who was in that game “I cried 2 days later because those kids took something that I love.”

I received an email from our subvarsity assignor desperate to get officials to a game. I looked at it, I have the night off. But why would I do that game? I’d rather hang out with my kid. I feel good about that decision, and now I have added reasons to feel good about spending the evening with the munchkin and not a bunch of people who do not appreciate the time, effort, and altruistic reasons that I am there.

The response from the powers that be will speak volumes about how we are perceived and appreciated. I’ve never met anybody that pays the bills officiating football that is not in the NFL. We’re there because we love it. As somebody smarter than me said, “It’s the most fun you can have standing up.” While that person is clearly not very creative (…), his point is validated in the status Coby’s umpire plays in his life: his kid’s godfather.

Something very special to each one of us took a big ding. A bigger ding than any grader/evaluator has ever given any of us. I know the guys that were in that game are still debating how big that ding is. So am I.

Great post Getting Fat!!