Fontaine letter: Disruptive spectators
In reference to the June 11 sports front page article, “They’re out! Umps, refs have had enough.”
During my second year as a 24-year-old elementary teacher in the Boise School District I recall receiving an earful from a spectator concerning his opinion of my officiating at an elementary school basketball game.
Having heard enough I stopped the game, went directly to a well-dressed man much older than me and reminded him that the Boise schools emphasized both sportsmanship and participation and that his behavior was inappropriate.
The noise level was subdued as I returned to officiate the game. After the game I approached the home team coach and noted that the atmosphere had quieted after I had spoken to the parent who had left the gym following my reminder to him.
The coach smiled and replied, “That man was no parent. He was my principal.”
Bob Fontaine, Eagle
This story was originally published June 23, 2017 at 1:07 AM with the headline "Fontaine letter: Disruptive spectators."