Page 18 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2021 Scholarships awarded to five student-athletes M ayor Carlo DeMaria announced that five recent Shown from left to right are Jaylen Murphy, Steef Gibbs, Mayor Carlo DeMaria, JC Clerveaux, Ish Zamor and Christian Zamor. (Photo Courtesy of the City of Everett) Everett High School graduates, Jaylen Murphy, Steef Gibbs, JC Clerveaux, Ish Zamor and Christian Zamor, will begin college this fall with scholarships. “Our Everett High graduates are incredible individuals who through hard work and dedication have received great achievements,” said DeMaria. “They were all remarkable football players and students during their time at Everett High School. I am proud of these graduates and their accomplishments and wish them the best of luck with their future.” These five young men were successful athletes throughout their time at Everett High School and graduated in June 2021. Murphy will be attending Merrimack College, Gibbs will be attending Bryant University and Clerveaux will be attending Georgetown University. Ish Zamor and Christian Zamor will be attending Boston College. Poor Sportsmanship, Pandemic contributing to shortage of High School Sports Officials Behavior of parents cited as among the worst of all adult spectators at High School games By Dr. Karissa Niehoff Executive Director National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) As high schools begin a third school year of sports and other activities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, a familiar issue continues to challenge administrators nationwide: finding enough individuals to officiate all scheduled contests. In some states, Friday Night Lights have become Thursday or Saturday Night Lights as teams consider playing on alternate dates to accommodate the lack of individuals to officiate games. The shortage of officials in high school – and middle school – sports has been a growing concern for several years – in large part due to unsportsmanlike behavior by parents and other adult fans. Now, additional sports officials are electing to stay on the sidelines because of health concerns related to COVID-19, or they are uncomfortable wearing a mask during games. The challenge for schools and state associations remains twofold: how to recruit more individuals to become officials and how to retain those people currently serving as officials. Short of unexpected events like the coronavirus, if a new official remains active after the first three to five years, the outlook for a long-term career is pretty good. Hoping to make an impact nationally on the officiating shortage and the sportsmanship issues at hand is Dana Pappas, who joined the NFHS staff last month as the new Director of OfPoor behavior by players’ parents have plagued high school sports for many years and is now being blamed for contributing to a nationwide shortage of game officials in nearly every sport. (Courtesy Photo) ficiating Services. Pappas joins the NFHS staff after 24 years with the New Mexico Activities Association, including the past 17 years as commissioner of officials. Although there was a hope that the post-pandemic behavior of parents and other fans would be improved, Pappas said the jury is definitely still out as sportsmanship issues have continued to exist. “From some of the early reports, there are still many acts of bad sportsmanship occurring,” Pappas said. “There are still people who are going after sports officials after games, during games, and it continues to be an adult problem. I don’t think too many of the issues we see are really the kids. It’s generally the spectators, although it can be coaches at times when their behavior incites the crowd. “I think the sportsmanship issue is something that continues to keep individuals from officiating, or we lose them because of poor sportsmanship.” Pappas noted that in addition to losing officials due to the COVID-19 concerns and poor sportsmanship, others may have changed jobs during the pandemic, and with some games being moved earlier in the day, they are unable to get free from their jobs to handle officiating assignments. While the loss of officials because of the pandemic is understandable and uncontrollable, losing individuals from the officiating ranks due to the boorish and over-the-top nasty behavior of parents and other adults is unacceptable. Pappas said many states back the statement: “If you act in an inappropriate manner, you will have to pay.” While these programs are necessary, she also believes proactive plans should be in place as well. “Doing preseason meetings with coaches and parents are important, but I think having officials go and address parents and talk to them about rules changes is important. It would be great for officials to go and talk to parents and kids so that they understand that they are not just the bad guys in the striped shirts, that they are someone who wants to be a part of the educational process, who’s giving back and there really to help and educate. “There needs to be shift in those expectations and remind parents of what it was like when their kids didn’t have an opportunity to play. Everyone agrees that was not good for anyone last year. And if you continue to abuse officials, we are going to be exactly where we were because there won’t be any way to adjudicate these games.” SPORTS | SEE PAGE 21
19 Publizr Home