California high school sports leaders issue a sadly necessary PSA that promotes sportsmanship, condemns unruly behavior at games

The California Interscholastic Federation hit the right note with a Public Service Announcement it released Wednesday.

Sportsmanship and unruly fan behavior directed at coaches, student-athletes and game officials are issues that the state’s governing body for high school athletics cannot ignore.

Why are more schools playing football on Thursdays across California?

Because there are not enough referees to cover the Friday schedule.

Why are there not enough referees?

Well, largely because of the verbal and occasional physical abuse they take – coupled with minimal pay and required training – make the job far from coveted.

But the referee crisis wasn’t the only reason for the CIF’s PSA, released as a new high school sports year is beginning.

“Sportsmanship is simple, treat others how you would want to be treated,” the CIF wrote. “Respect the game and everyone participating including student-athletes, coaches, officials, and spectators. Education-based athletics is more than winning, it’s about academic development, equity, and character. Be Responsible, Be Respectful, #BeTheChange!”

In a video that accompanied the news release, a number of unnamed high school student-athletes spoke in general about good and bad behavior.

“Hearing people cheer at our games really motivates me.”

“But being booed for missing a play can be crushing.”

“I love it when my parents show up for me.”

“But hearing them yell at the coach is embarrassing.”

“And remember that refs are people, too.”

“They’re trying their best to call a fair and correct game.”

“I hear all the time all the crazy things that parents say.”

“The parents on my team were acting out … the refs asked every parent on our sideline to exit the facility and waited until every parent did, so that wasted 10 to 15 minutes of our half.”

One student-athlete spoke about being a target of abuse herself.

“You’re trying your best and you’re putting yourself out there and you’re on the court, doing what you love and seeing and hearing people belligerently be mean to you is really frustrating,” she said. “It makes you not want to play anymore. It makes you just want to go on the sidelines and cry. It’s not fun.”

Another added, “It does feel like the parents think about themselves instead of the players who are actually playing the game.”

“We should be able to hold our heads high after the match, win or lose.”