Artist's rendering of the on-pitch violence.
We’ve previously noted that being a referee in rec leagues can be a dangerous proposition, and today we have even more evidence of that fact.
During a U-11 match the referee called a penalty, which lead to coach Jason Adkins becoming incensed. The 35 year-old “man” approached the 16 year-old referee and “bumped the teen’s chest, grabbed the front of his shirt and balled up his fist underneath the teen’s chin.” The ref ejected Adkins, at which point the 20 year-old assistant referee came over to try and restore order.
That was a bad move, as Adkins took exception to this and grabbed the AR by the throat (after breaking his sunglasses). After several parents intervened, the coach was arrested and booked on several misdemeanor charges. Adkins paid the $1,000 bail and is now free, but he has been suspended indefinitely by Spotsylvania Parks and Recreation League. This has upset several parents of players on his team, who argue that the incident has been exaggerated and that their children love having Adkins as a coach.
Clearly, those parents and children are suffering from Stockholm Syndrome.
Spotsylvania? That’s the worst town name I’ve ever heard.
Nice, my kids play in the Spotsylvania Park and Recs league. Not condoning anything, but they have the WORST refs I have EVER seen.
Actually, after further review, my son plays in the U-11 league that this happened in. BTW, Spotsylvania is in Virginia, right next to Fredericksburg.
Tell us more, Trevor! Do you know the individuals involved at all?
It was Dustin.
@Dustin: +1
Welp, f**ked that one up.
Andy Gray thinks the refs deserved it.
I am not now, nor have I ever been 16-20. I never had this happen to me I was thinking about have I ever felt threatened and I can’t remember feeling threatened too much. I’ve been threatened, been in threatening situations however I was never outright accosted by a coach or a father, they just voiced their displeasure.
If it’s true and there’s witnesses and a well thought out report about this incident then yeah he doesn’t ever deserve to coach again. A referee who did this to a coach, it wouldn’t even be a second thought he’d be fired out on his ass.
Come to think of it though…I haven’t refereed a “rec league” in ages, because when you progress past rec leagues…you don’t want to ref there.
@Dustin
How exactly does one become a ref? Email us.
There’s training courses, and you become certified. You start at a certain level, and need certain amounts of training to get to higher levels.
No joke, the guy who taught my class was named Guido Sarducci.
“No joke, the guy who taught my class was named Guido Sarducci.”
The guy who taught me was Nathan Nyema…a delightful old African ref who is by all accounts…crazy.
http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=78618
That thread is full of good info on how to become a ref and you can ask me and the other refs questions.
Thanks guys… Dustin, please email us as well
(just to dispel any vicious rumors before they start, I’m not looking to become a ref)
The most threats I’ve come under as a rec league ref were from the Catholic Church’s U-11 team coach who didn’t understand the offsides rule…even after 3 explanations….
He was, of course, wearing a Celtic uni.
Stockholm Syndrome…as in Stockholm, Finland.
I’m wondering why one becomes a ref. It seems like a pretty thankless job. Is it for people who like the sport, but not so much the part where you actually play it? Are these people who are really passionate about the offsides rules? Or is it just a good opportunity to hit on soccer moms?
“I’m wondering why one becomes a ref. It seems like a pretty thankless job. Is it for people who like the sport, but not so much the part where you actually play it? Are these people who are really passionate about the offsides rules? Or is it just a good opportunity to hit on soccer moms?”
All of the above. Personally though I could watch any…just ANY Game of soccer from Under 12′s to Over 50′s. I don’t know I just always liked the sport…it’s fun to be around and I realized I wasn’t gonna become a professional pretty early on. So reffing is where you can get the best seat in the house, there we go.
I honestly do think being a referee would be a pretty fun gig. Lots of respect for those who do it as well ( I umpire baseball, and while not quite the same thing, I’ve taken a little abuse).
Email us, Dustin! Address is on the right.
@Ryan
Why, oh why did you bring back the Bradley face?
Never ref-ed a soccer game, but did ref basketball games with my dad for 3-5 years. Mostly 12 to 14 year old boys. I’ve really only dealt with 2 “bad” coaches in that time. The parents are another story. I’ve never heard such bilious statements come out of a 12-year-old’s dad.
*Here’s a hint, dumbass. If your kid is playing YMCA ball at 12, he lacks the skills that you think he has to go “all the way.” Lighten up.*
@Ryan
It’s a pretty fun gig if you get fun people to do it with and choose good leagues ect. A lot more running than baseball or football reffing…with a lot less pay *shrug*
@JT City’s season over for all intents and purposes, world cup fever! Can you feel it?
@Ryan
I can feel it alright… sadly, the feelings are of fear and confusion