UC Referees Said Fan Behavior Can Cross Line

With the new basketball season underway, referees across the Upper Cumberland are prepping for the season ahead and the potential abuse they may take from fans.

For high school referees, the work is a hobby, community service, or just a way to earn a little extra cash. Luke Dycus has served for some 17 years. He said it is a passion. He said he loves being a basketball official and loves the passion Upper Cumberland fans have, but that passion can spill into vitriol.

“They love their teams, they love their schools, they love their kids so much that they get involved and sometimes they forget it’s a game,” Dycus said. “And, I know they work hard and put a lot of time in, so do I. I spend a lot of time trying to get in shape, I spend a lot of money on uniforms and travel and I also spend a lot of time away from my family.”

Dycus has had to use his time and resources in recruiting new basketball officials for this upcoming season due to the statewide shortage. Jeremy Tollison spent over 20 years officiating high school sports, but gave it up last year to focus on family and other projects. And while he is not leaving officiating due to fan behavior, he said the cruelness of fans towards referees can be too much for young officials.

“You put up with so much verbal abuse that I see why young people, they physically can’t handle it,” Tollsion said. “18, 19, 20, 21-year-olds that you’re trying to recruit in, they physically and mentally cannot handle that abuse.”

Tollison said that a decade ago game environments would have their moments, but would be civil for the most part. But in recent years, the intensity has been cranked up.

“It’s a hostile environment. And, especially in a high school basketball game where it’s a district game, a competitive game, a rival game, it is out of line. It is out of control,” Tollison said.

Dycus said he believes fans take the calls against their teams personally.

“We try our best to do what’s right by the rule book and be fair to both benches and both teams,” Dycus said. “Sometimes we have to make calls that are tough, but it’s right for the game.”

Dycus said to be an official, you got to have thick skin and not let rude comments effect your performance on the court.